This planning/scoping project will explore the development of a comprehensive approach to understanding the effects of differences in environmental world views on the effectiveness of Sustainable Solutions Initiative (SSI) efforts to enhance Knowledge to Action (K to A). Environmental or ecological values vary significantly across populations and these values may change over time. What is not well understood is how differences and changes in values of researchers and stakeholders relate to effectiveness of converting sustainability science results into stakeholder actions. The purpose of this planning grant will be to develop a comprehensive framework for understanding value or world view differences and changes, both within the SSI study team and between the team and stakeholders. We intend to develop an instrument and overall conceptual framework specific to the SSI used for identifying and comparing the world views of the study team and stakeholders. This framework, designed to be used in subsequent research on the project, should contribute to a greater understanding of how to improve knowledge to action programs in Sustainability Science and as such serve as one meaningful bridge between RoR and K to A activities in SSI.
