Mote Marine Laboratory

Tackling the Tough Questions

Let’s face it: Communicating scientific results to the people who most need the information — lawmakers, resource managers, stakeholders and you — can be hard work. Someone fluent, say, in the language of bacterial relationships, fatty acid analysis or ocean currents, might not be the most adept at communicating the relevence to people who decide how the planet’s ocean resources are used.

The U.S. Oceans Commission and the Pew Oceans Commission cited the need for ocean decisions to be based on sound, unbiased, credible and timely information. And both cited the lack of mechanisms to make that happen. “Historically, there has been a need to better connect the findings from the natural sciences — biological, chemical, etc. — to the social sciences and translate that information for a lay audience,” said Dr. Glen Shen, Mote’s executive vice president for research. “We need a new comprehensive approach to evaluate the true causes of a problem and the ramifications of various potential solutions.”

Three years ago, following a recommendation from Mote’s research center directors, the lab’s Scientific Advisory Committee decided to tackle the task of finding a new way to connect science to society. The group’s vision — a Marine Policy Institute — became reality in 2006 when Dr. Frank Alcock joined Mote as the institute’s first director.

Dr. Alcock, a former Belfer Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, is a Research Fellow for the Institutional Dimensions of Global Environmental Change Project and an assistant professor of political science at New College of Florida. He’s on assigned research leave from New College through December and will continue to work with the institute after his return. The New Amsterdam Charitable Foundation provided the initial start-up funding to allow a director the time to establish the Marine Policy Institute’s structure.

“The issues our oceans face today, as highlighted in the recent national oceans reports, are extremely complex and involve many different perspectives,” said Mote President Dr. Kumar Mahadevan. “So it is very important that policy makers have an unbiased, credible source that they can turn to for timely information to use as they make decisions about pressing marine issues. I think our Marine Policy Institute can be that source.

“We believe its success will depend upon successful partnerships, and we envision close relationships not only with local colleges and universities like New College and USF, but also a variety of academic, research, governmental and non-governmental organizations across the country and around the world.”

Mote Magazine spent some time talking to Dr. Alcock about the Marine Policy Institute, about new ways to connect science to the societies it serves and where the Institute will be going from here.


Question: In a practical sense, what will the Marine Policy Institute do?
Answer: The Institute’s primary mission is improving the connection between scientific research and society. That means providing timely, credible policy assessments and advice to decision-makers and stakeholders. The Institute will perform its own analyses to include diverse aspects of an issue. We’ll be linking marine science, economics and societal components to the ramifications of potential solutions. We’ll also be synthesizing and integrating research from a diverse range of scientific disciplines, in addition to conducting our own research. We also hope to stimulate better communication among different stakeholder groups, translating and mediating wherever possible.


Q: How will that be different from other public outreach efforts?
A: In addition to creating the interface between the natural and social sciences, the Institute’s main audience will be policy makers and resource managers.

Q: Since you’ll be talking to policy makers, does that mean the Marine Policy Institute will be an advocacy or lobbying organization?
A: No. Our goal is to provide answers about specific actions or policy. For instance, the Institute may look at an issue and provide information about likely outcomes, depending on various actions taken or not taken. The Institute will focus on synthesizing scientific studies and integrating them into policy analysis. It will not stake out policy positions as much as it will try to clarify risks, costs and benefits of policy options.

Q: So, will the Institute ever take positions on issues?
A: Perhaps, but not necessarily. If the Institute’s analysis suggests that a particular policy is or would be especially harmful or especially helpful, it will certainly say so. Mote believes that the Marine Policy Institute can be most effective as an honest broker in contested areas of science, rather than as a champion of a particular policy agenda.

Q: Who else will be working with the Marine Policy Institute?
A: I’m working with Ms. Barbara Lausche, an international environmental lawyer and an adjunct policy associate at Mote, to develop an initial slate of projects to work on. We’ll also receive guidance from Dr. Michael Orbach, former Director of the Duke Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, N.C., and a member of Mote’s Scientific Advisory Committee. Dr. Orbach also served as an adviser to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Commission on Oceans.

Q: What kinds of issues will you be addressing?
A: The range is broad. Subject to available resources, the Institute will respond to the needs of both the marine science and marine policy communities. Initial possibilities include Florida red tide, marine zoning, fisheries management issues and a sustainable seafood initiative.

Q: How will Mote support this effort?
A: The New Amsterdam Charitable Foundation provided the initial start-up funding to allow for the establishment of the Marine Policy Institute’s structure. We’re also seeking grants from foundations, agencies and individuals. In appropriate cases, the Institute might also apply for state or federal dollars to support research projects or programs. Mote’s Development Division can help potential donors learn more.

Learn more about: Marine Policy Institute