I contend that cross-sectoral partnerships, and adaptive, scaled pilot interventions are two highly effective ways to actively work with decision-makers to embed science insights into practical on-ground, or in-policy, outcomes. I will present evidence from four case studies to highlight how the simple yet critical roles of partnerships and scaled pilots set the scene for the uptake of marine and coastal scientific insights into practice.
However the simple existence of cross-sectoral partnerships or scaled pilots alone is not enough to drive uptake of science into practice. Work on the “back-end” wiring is essential – relationships, collaborative delivery, governance, and shared visions are four of a handful of enabling required for success.
Drawing on successful projects and experience from a number of roles [as a past Chair of the Victorian Marine & Coastal Management Council (a Ministerial Advisory Council), involvement as an International Collaboration Board member of a large scale European Coastal Restoration Project (REST-COAST), work as a science impact professional (Science into Action), and colleague in multiple coastal resilience projects (University of Melbourne)], I will highlight examples of how using these two simple enables (partnerships and scaled pilot interventions) is fundamental to successful impact, and present a simple framework for doing so.