2009; Farrell et al.

2013) and policy sectors (Haas 2004). Individuals in different ‘silos’ may have different interests (e.g. different selleck chemicals llc policy sectors), and understandings (e.g. different disciplines), resulting in different motives for producing and using knowledge. Without integrated cross-sectoral and multi-level policy approaches, action required to address biodiversity issues will be hindered (e.g. Kay and selleck compound Regier 2000; Fairbrass and Jordan 2004). It seems critical that any recommendations to improve science-policy communication also promote interdisciplinarity on the science side and cross-sectoral integration on the policy side. To move forward from silo thinking in both science and policy, we linked theoretical observations with the experiences of over forty individuals directly engaged in science-policy dialogue. Methods Three sequential approaches were used to synthesise experiences and identify recommendations: a literature review, interviews and a workshop. First, a literature review was carried out to identify key challenges to science-policy dialogue, and existing ideas and recommendations. We focused on literature from the biodiversity conservation and environmental management literature as well as from science and technology studies. Challenges and recommendations from these sources were collated and used to inform topics and ideas discussed in semi-structured

interviews with scientists Selleck Hydroxychloroquine and policy-makers. Second, semi-structured interviews were used to explore www.selleckchem.com/products/azd5363.html experiences, views and perceptions of individuals involved in science-policy communication. The ideas from the literature informed a topic guide (see Supplementary material), that was used flexibly according to interviewee experiences and interests, and was iteratively updated based on previous interviews.

Our interviews comprised four parts. First, we aimed to understand the role and background of interviewees. Second, we explored interviewees’ experiences of accessing and communicating scientific knowledge. Questions were adapted according to the current focus of interviewees’ work (based on the first part of the topic guide). For example, those interviewees working more in the policy sphere were asked about their experiences of accessing information, whereas those interviewees working more in the scientific sphere were asked about their experiences of communicating scientific knowledge. Third, we explored interviewees’ perceptions of current knowledge in biodiversity and ecosystem services, and its uptake (again, the focus was slightly adapted depending on the role of interviewees as identified in the first part of the topic guide). Lastly, we explored issues of dialogue and co-construction. We conducted a total of 25 semi-structured interviews in the summer of 2011 with a range of individuals working at the science-policy interface.