Co-production and conservation physiology: outcomes, challenges and opportunities arising from reflections on diverse co-produced projects.
| Title: | Co-production and conservation physiology: outcomes, challenges and opportunities arising from reflections on diverse co-produced projects. |
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| Authors: | Cooke SJ; Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.; Bett NN; Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.; Hinch SG; Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.; Adolph CB; Cayoose Creek Band, 810 Highway 99 North, Lillooet, BC V0K 1V0, Canada.; Hasler CT; Department of Biology, The University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, Canada.; Howell BE; Department of Biology, The University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, Canada.; Schoen AN; Department of Biology, The University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, Canada.; Mullen EJ; Department of Natural Resources and Northern Development, Province of Manitoba, Lac du Bonnet, MB R0E 1A0, Canada.; Fangue NA; Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California Davis, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95618, USA.; Todgham AE; Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95618, USA.; Cheung MJ; Cheung Consultancy Limited, 170 Forfar St, Maryhill, Dunedin 9011, New Zealand.; Johnson RC; NOAA Fisheries Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Fisheries Ecology Division and University of California Davis, Center for Watershed Sciences, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95618, USA.; Olstad RS; Indian Cultural Organization, 14840 Bear Mountain Rd, Redding, CA 96003, USA.; Sisk M; Indian Cultural Organization, 14840 Bear Mountain Rd, Redding, CA 96003, USA.; Sisk CC; Indian Cultural Organization, 14840 Bear Mountain Rd, Redding, CA 96003, USA.; Franklin CE; School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.; Irwin RC; Australia Zoo, 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah, QLD 4519, Australia.; Irwin TR; Australia Zoo, 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah, QLD 4519, Australia.; Lewandrowski W; Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park Science, 2 Kattidj Close, Kings Park, WA 6005, Australia.; School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.; Tudor EP; Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park Science, 2 Kattidj Close, Kings Park, WA 6005, Australia.; School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.; Ajduk H; Pilbara Environment and Cultural Knowledge Team, Rio Tinto, Central Park, 152-158 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia.; Tomlinson S; School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia.; School of Biological Sciences, Adelaide University, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia.; Stevens JC; Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park Science, 1 Kattidj Close, Kings Park, WA 6005, Australia.; Wilcox AAE; Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.; Giacinti JA; Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.; Provencher JF; Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.; Dupuis-Smith R; Biology Department, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.; Dwyer-Samuel F; Nunatsiavut Government, Nunatsiavut Research Centre, P.O. Box 70, 12 Sandbanks Road, Nain, Labrador A0P 1L0, Canada.; Saunders M; Nunatsiavut Government, Nunatsiavut Research Centre, P.O. Box 70, 12 Sandbanks Road, Nain, Labrador A0P 1L0, Canada.; Meyer LCR; Department of Paraclinical Sciences and Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Soutpan Road, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa.; Buss P; Veterinary Wildlife Services, South African National Parks, Kruger National Park, Private Bag X402, Skukuza 1350, South Africa.; Rummer JL; Marine Biology and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia.; Bard B; Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.; Fuller A; Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 Yord Rd, Parktown 2193, South Africa. |
| Source: | Conservation physiology [Conserv Physiol] 2025 Jul 18; Vol. 13 (1), pp. coaf049. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Jul 18 (Print Publication: 2025). |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Published on behalf of Society for Experimental Biology [by] Oxford University Press Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101656116 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 2051-1434 (Print) Linking ISSN: 20511434 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Conserv Physiol Subsets: PubMed not MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: Oxford : Published on behalf of Society for Experimental Biology [by] Oxford University Press, 2013- |
| Abstract: | As a relatively nascent discipline, conservation physiology has struggled to deliver science that is relevant to decision-makers or directly useful to practitioners. A growing body of literature has revealed that co-produced research is more likely to generate knowledge that is not only relevant, but that is also embraced and actionable. Co-production broadly involves conducting research collaboratively, inclusively, and in a respectful and engaged manner-spanning all stages from identifying research needs to study design, data collection, interpretation and application. This approach aims to create actionable science and deliver meaningful benefits to all partners involved. Knowledge can be co-produced with practitioners/managers working for regulators or stewardship bodies, Indigenous communities and governments, industry (e.g. fishers, foresters, farmers) and other relevant actors. Using diverse case studies spanning issues, taxa and regions from around the globe, we explore examples of co-produced research related to conservation physiology. In doing so, we highlight benefits and challenges while also identifying lessons for others considering such an approach. Although co-production cannot guarantee the ultimate success of a project, for applied research (such as what conservation physiology purports to deliver), embracing co-production is increasingly regarded as the single-most important approach for generating actionable science to inform conservation. In that sense, the conservation physiology community would be more impactful and relevant if it became commonplace to embrace co-production as demonstrated by the case studies presented here.; (© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press and the Society for Experimental Biology.) |
| Competing Interests: | Several members of the editorial board are co-authors on this manuscript but were not involved in handling this manuscript during the peer review process. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Case study; Indigenous knowledge; co-production; collaboration; conservation physiology; government; management |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20250721 Latest Revision: 20250723 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12272162 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/conphys/coaf049 |
| PMID: | 40688760 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article