| NSF Org: |
OPP Office of Polar Programs (OPP) |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | August 17, 2021 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | August 17, 2021 |
| Award Number: | 2134867 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Liam Frink
lfrink@nsf.gov (703)292-0000 OPP Office of Polar Programs (OPP) GEO Directorate for Geosciences |
| Start Date: | October 1, 2021 |
| End Date: | September 30, 2024 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $61,916.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $61,916.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
2145 N TANANA LOOP FAIRBANKS AK US 99775-0001 (907)474-7301 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
West Ridge Research Bldg 008 Fairbanks AK US 99775-7880 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | ASSP-Arctic Social Science |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.078 |
ABSTRACT
This award is funded in whole or in part under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2).
This dissertation research investigates the roles of boundary spanners in Arctic co-production of knowledge (CPK) projects. Boundary spanners are those who facilitate knowledge exchanges and co-production between researchers and stakeholders. This research aims to identify the characteristics of successful boundary spanners and document the process of boundary spanning through collaborative work with fifteen research partners. Partners are both Indigenous and non-Indigenous from across Alaska; they will participate in a two-day workshop to develop a conceptual model of boundary-spanning.
This dissertation project employs a co-production of knowledge framework, prioritizing research equity within an Alaska Native context. Anticipated broader impacts include contributions to the social science of boundary spanning and relational research methods. Research results will be disseminated through completion of a doctoral dissertation, a co-produced white paper and peer-reviewed articles.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
This co-produced project with twelve other co-authors, including nine Indigenous, seven early career researchers, and ten women (Figure 1). The research was centered around a 2-day convergence meeting, Nov 3-4, 2022, in Anchorage, AK.
The co-authors rejected the term “boundary spanner” as it should not be one individual doing the spanning duties, but everyone involved to work towards deconstructing the boundary. The group focused on “what we see in the In-Between” rather than the term boundary spanner. The results are framed in a typical career journey, described below. Multi-level dimensions, individual to systemic, was also a major theme identified within the workshop, the attached Table 1 depicts key concepts between multi-level dimensions and career stages.
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The boundary spanner role pulls in people who want to practice co-production of knowledge, directly work with Alaska Native communities, and have the potential to positively impact Alaska Native communities. Boundary spanning is a necessary requirement for doing work with Alaska Native communities, whether formally assigned or as an informal emergent role.
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Those in the boundary spanning role often have a formal job as researcher, practitioner, teacher, advocate, communicator, coordinator, and evaluator. The role is not sustainable in fulfilling 2-5 job roles and duties, often sitting in conflict between two groups, which all lead to burnout. This concept is depicted in the Figure 2, where boundary spanners often participate across multiple boundaries.
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Boundary spanners often act as enablers of boundaries, allowing science/policy members to outsource community engagement. These boundaries are in place due to structural inequality.
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With boundary spanning often not supported within academic norms, boundary spanners often leave academia. With burnout and lack of support, healing becomes part of the role of both individual and Indigenous cultural healing. Individual and Indigenous self-determination is a fundamental part of systemic healing.
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Areas were identified to bring the spheres of Indigenous communities, policy, and science together with (1) education on Indigenous peoples & ways of life, (2) funding local capacity to do research, (3) institutionalizing everyone being responsible for boundary spanning, (4) mentorship program rooted in the Indigenous worldview (Figure 3), and (5) prioritizing research that has community benefit.
Last Modified: 01/29/2025
Modified by: Sarah F Trainor
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