RECONNECTing Insights from  PECS-3 in Montreal, Canada

What better fit for RECONNECT than the PECS-3 conference in Montréal? 

PECS, the Program on Ecosystem Change and Society, convenes scholars interested in transdisciplinary and intersectoral research to compare and learn from place-based, long-term social-ecological case studies. Although biodiversity, along with its governance and protection, was a recurring theme at the conference, it was not a particularly active topic of discussion (though we were glad to participate in a session on Biosphere Reserves). It may be a matter of priorities – landscape multi-functionality is still at the core, and this is also the case in RECONNECT, even though we approach it through the lens of biodiversity conservation and protected areas.

A group of researchers from our RECONNECT project and our sister Biodiversa+ project BridgingVALUES, organized a seminar session that aimed for a larger group of interested researchers to join a discussion about how to better combine diverse sources of information and ways of relating to biodiversity conservation. The session attracted around 25 participants and incorporated different disciplinary and geographic perspectives on conservation and how it can better fit into diverse, ever-changing landscapes and situations.

Another interesting aspect was that PECS discussions seem to have drifted away from their original focus on case comparison. Apart from a few dedicated sessions, the main emphasis was on engagement. However, it was also evident that, as sustainability researchers, we often face challenges in engaging with diverse actors and understanding how to build meaningful relationships, including emotions, cognitions, and behaviors – especially within academic structures constrained by limited time and other resources. 

The conference made it evident that sustainability science has evolved beyond merely producing knowledge; it now more than ever emphasises fostering relationships that promote learning, experimentation, and inclusive participation among diverse actors, including more-than-human actors. These relationships are viewed as crucial for driving the fundamental and transformative changes needed for sustainability. Take RECONNECT’s WP4 work as an example. WP4, which focuses on deliberative spaces for collaboration and conflict management, has underscored the importance of coming together to exchange ideas and creating spaces for fostering connections. This was evident in the geodesign workshops held at the end of last year, where participants expressed how much they valued the opportunity to discuss and meet each other. The geodesign tool, initially intended to be the focal point of these workshops, ultimately served as a boundary object that facilitated meaningful interactions. 

Similarly, the research on the role and agency of civil servants in urban biodiversity conservation has highlighted the importance of this often-overlooked group in addressing sustainability challenges. Civil servants, who persist through changes in political climates, play a crucial role in shaping biodiversity actions and initiatives within their organisations. Unsurprisingly, their agency is heavily influenced by the relationships with people inside and outside their organisations. This raises an important question: Have academics who discuss and aim to catalyse transformative change created strong enough partnerships with those in diverse roles in public administration?

Overall, the PECS conference helped us position our research within the broader field of sustainability science. Given the cross-case nature of our project, PECS provided a valuable opportunity for us to ReConnect as a group and strenghten our collaborations. Despite the long journey, we engaged in meaningful discussions and connected with interesting participants during our session. We are excited to continue refining our research questions and contribute to global biodiversity conservation needs through case-based research that remains relevant at the local level.