Dialogic science-policy networks for water security governance in the arid Americas

The paper argues that 'wicked problems' in water security require integrative science-policy interfaces. It defines 'dialogic science-policy networks' as interdisciplinary, international, cross-sectoral, open, continual, and flexible interactions that achieve inclusivity, involvement, interaction, and influence. The authors highlight the AQUASEC virtual center as a comprehensive example of such a network, which has since expanded into the International Water Security Network. While these networks facilitate scientific and policy achievements, they face significant challenges regarding steady commitment and financial support, and there remains a research gap in evaluating their long-term outcomes.

• The authors define 'dialogic science-policy networks' as interactions between scientists and policy-makers characterized by six specific attributes: they are interdisciplinary, international (specifically inter-American), cross-sectoral, open, flexible, and continual and iterative in the long-term. These networks aim to meet the '4-I criteria' for effectiveness: inclusivity, involvement, interaction, and influence.
• The AQUASEC virtual center, initially funded by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, serves as a comprehensive example of a dialogic network and has expanded into the International Water Security Network with support from the Lloyd’s Register Foundation and other sources.
• The development of dialogic science-policy networks is hindered by major challenges, specifically the need for steady financial support and commitment. Additionally, there is a lack of research regarding the assessment and evaluation of the long-term outcomes of these networks.

APA

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (2025). Dialogic science-policy networks for water security governance in the arid Americas. https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/dialogic-science-policy-networks-for-water-security-governance-in-the-arid-americas/

Chicago

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. Dialogic science-policy networks for water security governance in the arid Americas. 2025. https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/dialogic-science-policy-networks-for-water-security-governance-in-the-arid-americas/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research |title=Dialogic science-policy networks for water security governance in the arid Americas |date=8 January 2025 |url=https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/dialogic-science-policy-networks-for-water-security-governance-in-the-arid-americas/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{interamericaninstituteforglobalchangeresearch2025dialogic, author = {{Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}}, title = {{Dialogic science-policy networks for water security governance in the arid Americas}}, institution = {Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}, year = {2025}, month = jan, url = {https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/dialogic-science-policy-networks-for-water-security-governance-in-the-arid-americas/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }