Interdisciplinary research networks and science-policy-society interactions in the Uruguay River Basin

• Published in: Environmental development 2021-06, Vol.38, p.100601, Article 100601
• Main Authors: Saguier, Marcelo, Gerlak, Andrea K., Villar, Pilar Carolina, Baigún, Claudio, Venturini, Virginia, Lara, Albina, dos Santos, Marco Aurelio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Interdisciplinarity research networks; Social-ecological systems; South America; Transboundary rivers
• ISSN: 2211-4645; 2211-4653
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envdev.2020.100601

The Uruguay River Basin (URB) that extends along Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay has been the hub of increasing pressures caused by the expansion of industrial agriculture, forestry and infrastructure projects in hydroenergy and transportation. There are growing concerns that the fragmented institutional framework is inadequate to address the growing challenges. Interdisciplinary research networks can contribute to creating perspectives of the basin that are policy and governance relevant. In this paper, we set out to interrogate the potential scope of interdisciplinary research networks (IRNs) for the advancement of basin governance framework for the URB. We envision IRNs as knowledge actors that can open up opportunities to mediate and connect basin actors across different spaces – academic, policy, technical-administrative and social. We highlight a series of pathways to advance networks actions in creating opportunities to fill the gaps of transboundary basin governance, and acknowledge the challenges associated with doing this work in the URB and other basins around the world. •Interdisciplinary research networks are knowledge actors that can advance opportunities for transboundary basin governance.•The socio-ecological systems perspective is conducive to attaining basin level governance.•Networks connect spaces, negotiate meanings and mediate dialogues at the intersection of science-policy-society processes.