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Co-Production Examples and Tools

The Science Program is working to build a community of researchers, resource managers, and other resource users to support the sustainability of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. To support applied ecosystem science and incentivize these communities to work together, the program invests in co-production.

To learn more about the Science Program’s efforts to support co-production, read this feature story.

Co-production is the collaboration of researchers, resource managers, and other resource users across the four steps of a research project that will inform a specific natural resource management decision. Those four steps are 1) scoping, 2) design, 3) research and development, and 4) transfer and application of findings and products.

Scroll down to find project examples and tools for each step of the co-production process. If you have a question or a resource to share, contact the Science Program at noaarestorescience@noaa.gov.

An outline of the steps of the co-production process

Please note that co-production is seldom a linear process. The project team is likely to revisit each of the steps outlined here throughout the course of the project.

Steps 1 & 2: Scoping and Design

Co-production of science projects revolves around a natural resource management decision. A well-developed understanding of a management need can motivate and focus a group’s efforts, guide the design of a project’s technical and collaborative approach, and demonstrate a project’s potential value — in a nutshell — to potential funders. A problem statement is a critical starting point for pursuing a co-production idea, and it is likely to undergo numerous adjustments as you learn more about the management needs, uncertainties around the decision, context, and key players.

Project Examples

In 2023, 10 projects were funded by the NOAA RESTORE Science Progam’s Actionable Science competition to conduct previously planned research in the Gulf of Mexico. Though each project conducted a collaborative planning process prior to receiving this funding, that process varied greatly from team to team. Planning activities include holding workshops to convene interested parties, conducting preliminary research to identify research gaps, and building relationships among team members to support better communication throughout the project. 

Watch the videos below to hear from each team on their scoping and design process. 

Tools

  • Scoping & Design Worksheet, NOAA RESTORE Science Program
    • In this worksheet, you will be guided through major questions to help you develop the scope and design of a co-produced project.
  • Guide to Collaborative Science, NERRS Science Collaborative
    • This guide has relevance to collaborative research, science transfer, and catalyst projects supported through the NERRS Science Collaborative and similar funding programs, as well as other science-based research, monitoring, assessment, and policy analysis efforts that require collaboration and adaptation to meet the needs of intended users. This guide is applicable to projects that draw on both the natural and social sciences.
    • The Guide to Collaborative Science was designed by the NERRS Science Collaborative to:
      • Introduce users to the collaborative science approach
      • Provide guidance on envisioning and planning a project
      • Support the design and management of projects through practical tools and relevant project examples
  • Bandola-Gill, J., Arthur, M., & Leng, R. I. 2023. What is co-production? Conceptualising and understanding co-production of knowledge and policy across different theoretical perspectives. Evidence & Policy. 19(2): 275-298.
  • Beier, P., L.J. Hansen, L. Helbrecht, and D. Behar. 2017. A how-to guide for coproduction of actionable science. Conservation Letters. 10:288-296. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12300
  • Djenontin, I.N. and A.M. Meadow. 2018. The art of co-production of knowledge in environmental sciences and management: Lessons from international practice. Environmental Management. 61:885–903. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-018-1028-3
  • Laudien, R., E. Boon, H. Goosen, and K. van Nieuwaal. 2019. The Dutch adaptation web portal: seven lessons learnt from a co-production point of view. Climatic Change. 153:509–521. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-018-2179-1.
  • Miller, B.W., A.J. Symstad, L. Frid, N.A. Fisichelli, and G.W. Schuurman. 2017. Co-producing simulation models to inform resource management: a case study from southwest South Dakota. Ecosphere 8(12):e02020. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2020.
  • Vincent, K., M. Daly, C. Scannell, and B. Leathes. 2018. What can climate services learn from theory and practice of co-production? Climate Services. 12:48-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cliser.2018.11.001.

Step 3: Research & Development

Once you have worked with your team to scope and design your project, the research process can begin. Though the scope, scale, and needs of each team varies, it can be helpful to learn more about how each team maintained their co-production process throughout. 

Click on the stories below to learn more about the research and development phase of each project. 

Project Examples

Step 4: Transfer & Application

Sharing findings and products with end users and others interested in the research project is an essential part of the co-production process. Engaging end users in the early stages of scoping and design can help to form an effective plan to share project results later on. 

Check out the stories and tools below to learn more about the transfer and application step of the co-production process. 

Project Examples

Tools

  • Transfer & application worksheet, NERRS Science Collaborative and NOAA RESTORE Science Program 
    •  In this worksheet, you will be guided through the process of developing products for end users of your research. 

Monitoring the Co-Production Process

Throughout each step of the co-production process, it is important to remain attentive to the dynamics of the project team and be sure all players have an opportunity to communicate their needs and ideas. Monitoring the co-production process can be a time-consuming effort with many steps, and it can be helpful to dedicate one or more members of the team to lead and monitor the co-production process. 

Click on the co-production monitoring toolkit below for resources, ideas, and tools to support your co-production effort. 

  • Co-Production Monitoring Toolkit
    • This toolkit is intended to guide teams of researchers, resource managers, community members, and other regional experts who would like to evaluate their science co-production projects. What would a plan look like for assessing your collaborative efforts? What activities would need to be included in your proposal to demonstrate a commitment to monitoring and evaluation? Once funded and your project begins, this toolkit can help your team determine: How well are we doing? Where could we improve? What are we learning together? Beyond offering examples of specific instruments to gather information from participants, the toolkit presents a philosophy on why it matters to assess progress (together!). Furthermore, it points out challenges you may encounter upon the journey and potential strategies for navigation.  
    • Tools: