What Helps Interface Projects in Ecology Work? Learnings on Facilitating Conditions from a Decade of Inter- and Transdisciplinary Research on Invasive Fish

Abstract

Ecological research for environmental management occupies a unique and demanding space at the interface of societal needs and academic research. Projects in this space must reconcile stakeholder involvement and real-world applicability with academic requirements such as disciplinary excellence and career advancement. Here, we present a post-hoc account of a 12-year inter- and transdisciplinary research initiative on the management of invasive gobies in central Europe. Based on a synthesis of inputs, outputs, and outcomes, we distill facilitating conditions that increased the likelihood of the project reaching its goals across political, administrative, societal, institutional, team, and individual levels. Rather than "success factors" in a deterministic sense, these are conditions and practices that created a favorable environment for both academic and applied outcomes. The interaction of these domains created windows of opportunity that could be seized for both scientific progress and societal impact. By reflecting from the perspective of natural scientists directly engaged in such a project, we aim to complement existing social science frameworks with an insider view of the lived realities of inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration. Our retrospective can inform policy makers, funders, and institutions seeking to create enabling environments for interface research, and may support fellow natural scientists in proactively preparing the ground for their own initiatives.