Print PageEcologically-based societal challenges, such as climate change, are increasingly taking on the characteristics of seemingly intractable conflicts. The conflict around these issues is often framed as a science communication challenge and there are many courses and books that offer tools focused on helping scientists improve their communication efforts. While these types of communication approaches, such as messaging, framing, and use of social media, are relevant, the ability to work effectively through conflict requires a different skill set. For example, when dealing with conflict, relational skills such as deep listening rise to the forefront. While conflict can be highly uncomfortable, it is often an inevitable result of effective engagement in societal decision-making processes, and can actually lead toward more successful long-term solutions. There is a rich conflict resolution literature, and many of the tools available to professionals in fields where conflict is common, such as law and medicine, are also increasingly relevant for professional scientists engaging in areas where conflict is commonplace.
Results/Conclusions
Understanding ecological and societal challenges as intractable conflicts changes the nature of proposed solutions, and puts an emphasis on different professional development skills for scientists interested in effective communication and community engagement. Other professions that have had to make relationship skills a central part of their professional training include the relationship-centered legal and preventative medical fields. Contemplative practices such as mindfulness meditation and other creative, movement-based, and relational practices have been found to be useful for helping professionals deal with conflict. Mindfulness in particular, which is focused on developing self-awareness in the present moment and without judgment, has become a common and effective tool in a variety of fields.
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