Building the science-policy-practice interface: Insights from boundary organizations in the Colorado River Basin

Alongside growing interest in how science can better inform decision-making, research has focused on the role of boundary organizations, which work at the science, policy, and practice interface (SPPI). Empirical analyses of boundary organizations are relatively sparse, and little is known about how people involved in boundary organizations are navigating this interface. We look to the Colorado River Basin, where multiple boundary organizations have been established in response to challenges along the river. Drawing on key informant interviews with practitioners in federally-initiated organizations, we ask: what is the role of science in these organizations, and what are the challenges that they face at the SPPI? Practitioners in boundary organizations see science as important to better understand the system, inform and modify management actions, and evaluate whether management actions are working. At the same time, practitioners describe the challenge of adapting scientific activities to changing environmental conditions, and difficulties navigating uncertainties. Further, the structure of an organization limits its scope at the SPPI, and the ways that decisions are made can delay policy impacts. Despite these challenges, boundary organizations in the Basin serve as key intermediaries for knowledge exchange, fostering relationships, and working towards more integrated approaches to water governance. By examining these dynamics through the perspectives of practitioners, our study provides valuable insights into both the successes and limitations of the SPPI. In doing so, we contribute to broader discussions on how boundary organizations can enhance their role in building the SPPI.