Empowering early-career researchers for science-policy engagement in biodiversity conservation

Biodiversity loss is a central dimension of the triple planetary crisis and underscores the need for stronger science-policy engagement to support transformative change. Early-career researchers (ECRs) can make important contributions at the biodiversity science-policy interface but often face barriers, including limited training, networks, time, resources, and institutional recognition. This Brief Report draws on insights from a two-day capacity-building workshop that brought together 20 doctoral and postdoctoral researchers from Swiss institutions and 13 experts from academia, government, and boundary organizations. The workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of science-policy processes in biodiversity conservation and to support the development of tailored engagement strategies. Based on workshop discussions, practical exercises, and expert exchange, we identify five key components of effective science-policy engagement for ECRs: understanding one’s position, analyzing the policy environment, defining engagement objectives, building networks, and reflecting on success. We argue that science-policy engagement is context-specific and requires strategic, adaptive, and sustained approaches rather than standardized solutions. Strengthening institutional support through training, mentorship, and appropriate incentives is essential to enable ECRs to engage meaningfully in biodiversity governance. Supporting ECRs at the science-policy interface can enhance both their professional development and the contribution of research to biodiversity conservation.

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Publication Details

Journal
Sustainability Science Practice and Policy
Published
2026-06-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/15487733.2026.2682532
Primary Topic
Conservation, Ecology, Wildlife Education
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Empowering early-career researchers for science-policy engagement in biodiversity conservation

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Sustainability Science Practice and Policy
Conservation, Ecology, Wildlife Education
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Empowering early-career researchers for science-policy engagement in biodiversity conservation

Diana Rizzolio, Morgane Brosse, Jodok Guntern, Sarah K. Richman, Lukas Guyer, Manuel Fischer, Mialy Andriamahefazafy, Dechen Lham, Debra Zuppinger‐Dingley, Zhanyun Wang, Roger Keller, F. Parkes Weber, Simone Fontana, Jeanine (author) Janz, Eva (author) Spehn, Cedric Bolli, Thimothy Thrippleton
article en

Abstract

Biodiversity loss is a central dimension of the triple planetary crisis and underscores the need for stronger science-policy engagement to support transformative change. Early-career researchers (ECRs) can make important contributions at the biodiversity science-policy interface but often face barriers, including limited training, networks, time, resources, and institutional recognition. This Brief Report draws on insights from a two-day capacity-building workshop that brought together 20 doctoral and postdoctoral researchers from Swiss institutions and 13 experts from academia, government, and boundary organizations. The workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of science-policy processes in biodiversity conservation and to support the development of tailored engagement strategies. Based on workshop discussions, practical exercises, and expert exchange, we identify five key components of effective science-policy engagement for ECRs: understanding one’s position, analyzing the policy environment, defining engagement objectives, building networks, and reflecting on success. We argue that science-policy engagement is context-specific and requires strategic, adaptive, and sustained approaches rather than standardized solutions. Strengthening institutional support through training, mentorship, and appropriate incentives is essential to enable ECRs to engage meaningfully in biodiversity governance. Supporting ECRs at the science-policy interface can enhance both their professional development and the contribution of research to biodiversity conservation.

Sustainability Science Practice and PolicyVol. 22(1)
University of Geneva (CH), University of Bern (CH), Albert Einstein College of Medicine (US), Bern University of Applied Sciences (CH), University of Southern Denmark (DK), United Nations Environment Programme (KE), University of Zurich (CH), ETH Zurich (CH), Amt für Wald und Naturgefahren (CH), Felix Scholarship (GB), Agence pour le Développement et la Réhabilitation de la Ville de Fès (MA), Natural History Museum of Basel (CH), Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (ES), Federal Office for the Environment (CH), INFRAS (Switzerland) (CH), Research Network (United States) (US), Institute of Psychology (RU), Swiss Academy of Sciences (CH), Geneva College (US), Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (CH), Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (CH)
Life in Land
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Conservation, Ecology, Wildlife Education
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