Facilitating knowledge exchange to manage Bovine Tuberculosis at the regional level

项目的主要目标是什么？该项目的目的是增加科学家、政府和更广泛的农业社区之间的知识流动，以便在区域一级为牛结核病的管理提供信息。我们的目标是促进这些群体之间双向的知识交流，使农业社区获得他们需要的科学信息和建议，同时也确保研究和政策满足最终用户的需求并产生真正的影响。为什么是牛结核病？牛结核病是牛的一种慢性疾病，是英国，特别是英格兰西南部的牛和畜牧业面临的最大挑战之一。近几十年来，这种疾病迅速增加，给个体农民和政府带来了高昂的成本。为什么我们需要科学家和农业社区之间更紧密的联系？迄今为止，牛结核病的管理主要是在国家一级进行的，并从政府机构和学术机构进行的研究中获得信息。最近出现了一种转变，即采取区域方法进行疾病管理，并强调农业工业内部的个人决定。科学界对牛结核病进行了深入研究，政府和其他机构收集了大量数据，可用于为此类决策提供信息。然而，从历史上看，受这种疾病影响的科学家、政府和利益攸关方之间的知识流动一直存在障碍。非科学读者并不总是可以随时获得信息，研究也并不总是以实际应用为重点。因此，农业社区不得不依赖其他信息来源（媒体和他们自己的经验），而这些信息来源与科学证据基础脱节。该项目旨在弥合这一差距，使科学信息和进步能够转化为实际可行的解决方案，并使农业社区具备管理这种疾病所需的信息。这个项目包括什么？这个项目的关键是知识的交流和科学家、政府和其他利益相关者之间合作关系的建立。我们将利用结核病根除小组作为一个论坛，与直接受该疾病影响的关键利益相关者群体（农民/兽医/农业从业人员）进行接触。通过密切倾听这些群体的意见并参与定期会议，我们的目标是确定知识差距和未来调查和研究的途径。通过与科学家和政府的联系，我们将与这些利益相关者团体合作，回答这些问题并填补这些知识空白。至关重要的是，利益攸关方将以一种真正合作的方式参与这一进程，从而确保产生适合其需求和情况的科学信息和建议。我将与埃克塞特大学以及动植物卫生机构合作，收集广泛的科学专业知识和数据。我将作为一名环境分析师，共同创造根除结核病小组审议结核控制方法所需的证据。确切的研究领域将取决于利益相关者的需求和要求，但很可能侧重于獾生态/管理和牛结核病风险的环境相关因素。通过开发数据、生产量身定制的信息和调查关注农业社区需求的研究问题，该奖学金旨在增加科学的可用性和“影响”，以改善牛结核病的管理。

What is the main project aim?The aim of the project is to increase the flow of knowledge between scientists, government and the wider farming community in order to inform the management of bovine TB at a regional level. We aim to facilitate knowledge exchange in both directions between these groups, such that the farming community is given the scientific information and advice they need, while also ensuring that research and policy meet the needs of end users and has real impact. Why bovine TB?Bovine TB is a chronic disease in cattle which is one of the greatest challenges facing the cattle and farming industry in the UK, particularly in South-west England. The disease has rapidly increased in recent decades and has a high cost to individual farmers and to the government.Why do we need stronger links between scientists and the farming community?To date the management of bovine tb has largely been undertaken at a national level and has been informed by research undertaken by government agencies and academic institutions. More recently there has been a shift towards a regional approach to disease management and to an emphasis on individual decisions within the farming industry. Bovine TB has been intensively studied by the scientific community and a wealth of data is collected by government and other institutions which could be used to inform such decisions. However, historically there has been a barrier to knowledge flow from scientists to government to stakeholders affected by this disease. Information is not always readily available to a non-scientific audience and research is not always undertaken with a focus on practical applications. As a consequence, the farming community have had to rely on other information sources (media and their own experiences), which are disconnected from scientific evidence base. This project aims to bridge the gap, such that scientific information and advances can be turned into real practical solutions, and so that the farming community is equipped with the information they need to manage this disease. What will the project involve?They key to this project is communication of knowledge and the creation of collaborative relationship between scientist, government and other stakeholders. We will use the TB eradication groups as a forum to engage with key stakeholder groups (farmers / vets/ those in the farming industry) who are directly affected by the disease. By listening closely to these groups and engaging in regular meetings, we aim to identify knowledge gaps and avenues for future investigation and research. Through links with scientists and government we will then work with these stakeholder groups towards answering these questions and filling these knowledge gaps. Crucially, stakeholders will be involved in this process in a truly collaborative way, which ensures the production of scientific information and advice which is tailored to their needs and situation. Working with the University of Exeter and also within the Animal and Plant Health Agency, I will draw together a broad range of scientific expertise and data. I will act as an as an environmental analyst, co-creating the evidence that the TB eradication groups require to deliberate upon bTB control methods. Exact research areas will depend on stakeholder needs and requirements, but will likely focus on badger ecology/management and environmental correlates of bovine TB risk. By developing data, producing tailored information and investigating research questions which are focused on the needs of the farming community, this fellowship aims to increase the availability and 'impact' of science to improve the management bovine TB.