ESLTPAn open consultation process with the Australian ecosystem science community to develop a cohesive plan for the long-term future

Setting the scene

What do we want from today?

What is the process so far and where to next?

How are we going to achieve our overall goals?

Preview some material being prepared for the open forum meetings

OverviewBy the end of today we should have:

- the first contributions of content for the plan and - shared understanding of the process for open consultation - beginnings of change for ecosystem science in Australia

Steering Committee

WorkshopPlanning Team

Wide engagement

Expanding the sphere of input

Image: Red Dome Group

We want your ideas on content but also on shaping the process to achieve what is needed

What do we want to achieve today?

• Respect your expertise and willingness to contribute [listen to each other]

• Productive use of this talented group [focus and engage]

• Concrete outcomes from today [progress on process and content]

• Collective actions for us all to implement [agreed commitment to work together]

What do we want to achieve overall?

1. Cohesive vision and collective action

2. To set priorities for addressing themes:• human talent• infrastructure • research • resourcing into the future

3. To succeed in implementing improved outcomes for ecosystem science

4. Continuity for the long-term

What products are we after?

An enduring process for open consultation

Short printed overview document (~10 pages) [external communication]

Web site with extensive links to background evidence and rationale for the agreed directions [discipline communication]

Successful launch of plan with wide support from ecosystem science community [one-stop-shop for any policy or funding agency to consult with]

Typical concerns may be…

What is the scope?

How do we want to define ecosystem sciences for this purpose?

Answer: this will emerge by people who engage & contribute - Input from feedback so far - 86 disciplines listed

Bek will be sharing these with you later today

What it is not…

Just another report to gather dust

List of specific research questions that an individual may want prioritised

‘Business as usual’ for engaging with a complex and broad set of inter-dependent disciplines comprising ecosystem science

Now

• Vigilence• Diminishing resources

ESLTP

• Collective efforts• Harmony promoting growth and

productivity

Long

term

• Decisive collective action• Respected and trusted discipline• Continuity of increased resources

The vision for transforming Ecosystem Sciences in Australia

How did we get to this point?

National groups coming together to drive the process

Where are we in the process?

• Steering committee• Identify resources

(TERN)• Launch website• Open call• Begin on-line survey

Kick-starting the

process

• Refine process• Provide content• Commit to collective

action• Identify champions for

roles

Planning workshop

today • Summarise content

• Revise survey• Plan “Town Halls”• Update website

Post workshop

Feb-Sept 2013 24 Sept2013 25 Sept 2013

• Steering committee

• Identify resources (TERN)

• Launch website• Open call• Begin on-line

survey

Kick-starting the

process

• Refine process• Provide content• Commit to collective

action• Identify champions for

roles

Planning workshop

today • Summarise content

• Revise survey

• Plan “Town Halls”

Post workshop

Consulting

Feb-Sept 2013 24 Sept 2013 25 Sept 2013

Planning

Cycle of input from consultation phase

Survey questions

Summarise

input

Town Hall meeting

Summary of

content contribut

ed

Update ESLTP status

document

Draft plan

Submissions from

scientific groups

Town Hall meeting

contributions

Ongoing survey input

Plan for open consultation Planning workshop

Open call for participation

Create process for every voice to be heard

On-line survey with ongoing reporting

“Town hall” meetings for face-to-face discussions

Written submissions from scientific groups

Regular updates of website reflecting on-going input

Circulate draft long-term plan for peer review

Revise and distribute final plan by agreed time-line

Completing the plan by mid 2014

• Steering committee• Identify resources (TERN)• Launch website• Open call• Begin on-line survey

Kick-starting

• Refine process• Provide content• Commit to collective

action• Identify champions

Planning workshop • Content grows via

meetings• On-going survey input• “status” ESLTP

updated• Website updates• Working groups form

Consulting cycle

• Writing teams• Content edited• Web site updated• Plan circulated• Peer review feedback

Draft Plan •Revisions•Final plan doc and process

•LaunchFinal Plan

Change ecosyste

m science

Review outcomes

STARTFeb 2013

Steering Committe

e work

Workshop

Sept 2013

EcoTasNov 2013

Town HallsFeb-Mar

2014

WritingMar-May

2014

2 months feedba

ck

Finalise plan

mid 2014

How do we earn the support of a diverse group?

Open transparent engagement

Some ideas on how to proceed

Turn self interest into collective action

Inclusive, cross-generational engagement

Relinquish need to control and dictate process and content

Listen and respond to constructive feedback

Provide clear leadership and direction but do not exert top-down control

Evaluate risks for each stage of the process and prepare alternate avenues to proceed

Groups involved so far: