Strategies for Engaging Scientists in Collaborative Processes

Scientists are often reluctant to get involved in collaborative efforts to address natural resource issues because of potential professional repercussions. As agents for change, Extension professionals can help to bring scientists into these problem-solving efforts. In this article, collaborative and scientific processes are compared and contrasted to provide one way for Extension professionals to communicate the role of scientists in collaborative problem solving. Extension activities can be instrumental in efforts to move scientists from experts outside of the problem-solving process to scientists as key players and full partners in the process.