Lessons from Boundary Organizations: Connecting Scholars and Security Practitioners on Environment and Security

Abstract:

Earth scientists and security practitioners face a range of barriers to active and sustained research interactions. Many scientists assume that traditional security institutions narrowly focus on issues of war and peace with relatively little interest in disciplinary or even interdisciplinary research. This assessment is built on narrow and traditional conceptions of security rather than more inclusive and wide-ranging topics considered germane for security considerations. A wider security frame, increasingly viewed as necessary by scholars and practitioners alike, connects with a diverse set of security community actors and relevant research questions. This presentation will present lessons learned from nearly 30 years of facilitating environment and security dialogue among government, academia, NGO, private sector, and international institutions from the vantage point of bridging boundary institutions. It will highlight practical steps for addressing structural, cultural, and incentive mismatches that commonly hamper these exchanges. The presentation will feature examples from the United States and intergovernmental organizations.