BR NESST

Co-directed by Dr. Pam Shaw and Eli Enns and hosted at Vancouver Island University, the BR NESST builds on existing partnerships among biosphere reserves (BRs) to enhance and mobilize communication, coordination, and knowledge sharing in transdisciplinary settings to support solutions and transformations relating to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). This partnership focuses on local, achievable actions within BRs that engage Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in relevant activities that directly address inequalities and achieve the SDGs and UNDRIP. Critical to this is the focus on localized situations and solutions within each BR. With partners across eight countries - Canada, the United States, Germany, Norway, South Africa, Ghana, Costa Rica, and Brazil - the creation of an international network focused on the localization and connectivity of the SDGs and UNDRIP will draw perspectives and knowledge from multiple disciplines, sectors, and knowledge systems. Collaboration will be multi-faceted and transdisciplinary, with a goal of co-creating knowledge and multi-modal research outputs to increase capacity for BRs to advance locally relevant actions on sustainability and reconciliation. This partnership project will respond to the need for new interdisciplinary toolkits and improved opportunities for knowledge exchange between UNESCO sitesand address the primary research question: As places that bring together people and nature, how can biosphere reserves/regions accelerate transdisciplinary approaches to contribute to practical actions at the intersection and braiding of the SDGs and UNDRIP at the local level?

Research will involve localized engagement with multiple BRs across partner countries to strengthen our understanding of the impact and opportunities of implementing and realizing the SDGs and UNDRIP on the local level in BRs. This information will lead to identification of trends and gaps that will leverage learning and mentorship opportunities across the partnership, and support capacity and relationship building between BRs, orders of government, and rights-holders. Through ongoing engagement, we will showcase how BRs support and apply Indigenous knowledge and voices through their approaches for intersecting the SDGs and UNDRIP, highlighting opportunities for shared learning. Throughout the six years of this partnership, the BR NESST will facilitate international knowledge exchange opportunities and partners will contribute to a publicly available and accessible platform to support multi-modal knowledge dissemination and information exchange related to sustainable solutions and transformation.

Partnership Grants provide support for new and existing formal partnerships over 4 to 7 years to advance research, knowledge mobilization and/or training in the social sciences and humanities. Partnership Grants are expected to respond to the objectives of the Research Partnerships program through mutual cooperation and sharing of intellectual leadership, as well as through resources as shown by cash and/or in-kind contributions.  

Partnership Grants follow a two-stage process. Applicants who are successful in Stage 1 (grants up to $20,000) are invited to apply to Stage 2, to access funding up to $2.5 million over 4 to 7 years. Thanks to the support and commitment from nearly 40 partners, the BR NESST was successful in Stage 1 and is currently in the process of preparing the Stage 2 application, due in October 2024.

Partner organizations participate actively in the partnership, contributing in a meaningful way to the success of the endeavour. A partner organization may be, for example, a Canadian or foreign: postsecondary institution, government department (federal, provincial, territorial, municipal), for-profit or not-for-profit organization, or foundation. Partner organizations work collaboratively to achieve shared goals for mutual benefit. More specifically, they agree and commit to collaborate in a way that creates and fosters an environment based on:

• Open communication and information exchange;
• Recognition for the contributions and skill sets that each partner brings to the project;
• Trust, inclusivity, and shared responsibility in the project’s governance and decision-making processes;
• A commitment to produce high-quality results; and
• A recognition that all partners have a role to play in sharing, promoting, and disseminating results to ensure that the knowledge created is accessible for the benefit of all those who wish to access it.

A partner organization is expected to support the activities of the formal partnership by sharing in intellectual leadership or providing expertise. Partner organizations are required, for administrative purposes, to identify an individual who will act as a contact person. The partner organization is also expected to provide cash and/or in-kind contributions and a letter of engagement that indicates the relevance and significance of the project for the partner organization, the nature of involvement, details on financial and/or in-kind contributions, and expected outcomes the partner organization wishes to achieve. In the proposed BR NESST project, anticipated participation/contribution of partner organizations may include, but is not limited to:

• Staff/volunteer time to participate in and/or present at regional, national, and/or international networking and knowledge sharing events. This includes in-person events in Canada in years 1 and 6 (travel covered for one representative), and various online events throughout the project duration such as symposiums, workshops, panel discussions, webinars, etc.
• Staff/volunteer time and use of resources to prepare materials for dissemination, if applicable, for contribution to the online knowledge sharing platform.
• If applicable, staff/volunteer time to participate in a partnership committee: research and knowledge mobilization, training and mentorship, partnerships and strategic initiatives, or international advisory. 

Click here for detailed Partner Organization instructions. 

Co-applicants and collaborators are individuals who make a significant contribution to the intellectual direction of research activities or play a significant role in the conduct of research and related activities. Co-applicants may be individuals from any of the following: Canadian not-for-profit organization, philanthropic foundation, think tank, and municipal, territorial or provincial government, or a Canadian or international postsecondary institution. Collaborators do not need to be affiliated with a postsecondary institution.

In the proposed BR NESST project, anticipated participation/contribution of co-applicants and collaborators may include:

• Participation in a strategic focus area committee to provide topic guidance and expertise (up to four meetings per year, plus additional time for contribution to research, knowledge mobilization, general support to the project team)
• Participation in regional, national, and/or international online and in-person networking and knowledge sharing events, which may include delivering presentations or participation in panel discussions
• If applicable, contribution of tools and resources to the online knowledge sharing platform
• Contribution to training and mentorship for students and trainees
• Any additional contributions to support project success, such as applications of previous or ongoing research, connections with additional networks, or resources relevant to the project’s focus

Co-Applicants will be required to submit a SSHRC CV or one-page biosketch to describe research and relevant experience to the project. Collaborators will complete a form indicating their position, organization, and contact information.

Click here for detailed Co-Applicant with SSHRC CV instructions.

Click here for detailed Co-Applicant with biosketch instructions.

Click here for detail Collaborator instructions.

Throughout the duration of the six-year project, four committees comprised of partners across knowledge systems, disciplines, and sectors will guide strategic planning, research, knowledge mobilization, training, and networking for the partnership.

The Research and Knowledge Mobilization Committee guides reflexive research approaches and strategies for disseminating research outputs in multiple, accessible formats to diverse audiences. Members may bring experience or knowledge in decolonized research approaches, transdisciplinarity, applied and/or social sciences research, and multi-modal community engagement and knowledge mobilization.

The Training and Mentorship Committee supports the network in ensuring that transdisciplinary learning experiences are accessible and beneficial to youth, students, trainees, practitioners, and community members. Members may bring experience or knowledge in multi-faceted learning dynamics that transcend institutional silos, ultimately fostering diverse and inclusive opportunities that are centred around shared goals.

The Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives Committee will identify areas of opportunity to leverage funding, maintain and strengthen partnerships, and support the longevity of the BR NESST. Members may help facilitate connections within the BR NESST, as well as leveraging connections with other networks to raise the profile of biosphere reserves regionally, nationally, and internationally.

The International Advisory Committee will provide focused opportunities to exchange resources and knowledge, identify pathways for cohesive collaboration, and provide strategic direction to the partnership for overcoming barriers to international knowledge exchange. Membership consists of Country Coordinators from each partner country – Brazil, Costa Rica, Ghana, South Africa, United States, Canada, Norway, and Germany. 

Each committee will meet twice per year to engage in dialogue related to their focus areas. A steering committee, comprised of the project director, co-director, and one representative of each committee will also meet twice per year to be engaged in ongoing updates, discuss project successes and challenges, and strategies for continued learning, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. Committee membership will be on a two-year renewable term.

Participation in committees is open to all partners of the BR NESST. Click here to submit an expression of interest for participation in the Research & Knowledge Mobilization, Training & Mentorship, or Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives Committee. The International Advisory Committee will be comprised of Country Coordinators from each participating country.

To guide the development of the Stage 2 application, three focus groups were established to provide opportunities for project partners to share expertise and knowledge. Summaries and recordings of each focus group meeting are provided below.

Theory & Methods: Provided input to guide the finalization and refinement of theoretical frameworks and methodologies described in the application, including consideration of equity, diversity, and inclusion in research design, the project’s influence and impacts, and expected contributions to the social sciences.

• Recording here
• Meeting Notes - Theory & Methods Focus Group - July 19, 2024

Governance & Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): Provided guidance on an established governance approach that addresses the project objectives and EDI considerations, including decision making processes and how partners will benefit from participation in this partnership.

• Recording here
• Meeting Notes - Governance & EDI Focus Group - July 26, 2024

Knowledge Mobilization & Data Management: Provided guidance on strategies effective for knowledge dissemination, exchange, and engagement to increase knowledge uptake for target audiences, including considerations of EDI and data management.

• Recording here: part 1; part 2
• Meeting Notes - Knowledge Mobilization & Data Management Focus Group - August 2, 2024