This article focuses on the efforts made in the eradication of Emerald Ash Borer (EABs) by demonstrating how the inputs of the three stakeholders have brought success to the venture. The initial 3-D prints failed to work, and the scientists had to look for better options to deal with the problem. The input of designers and artists was required to come up with lures, which ultimately led to a 40% increase in the number of EABs drawn from the trees.
An important aspect that comes up is the cooperation between the three parties in dealing with problems that cut across both scientific and social worlds. However, this is no coincidence since modern day research, and overall scientific activity has been focusing on how to incorporate the input of the three disciplines. The concept of diversity of expertise in approaching problems such as the EABs, therefore, proves to be the new way of approaching socio-scientific problems.
Diversity is not an easy thing to come by since it has taken the scientific community years to realize that inclusivity and collaborative effort is a sure means of reaching specific goals.
Moreover, diversity sometimes leads to disagreements and conflict. A consensus is slowly being arrived at concerning the essence of diversity, especially in expertise. Diversity as a concept has the potential of bearing both a positive and a negative side. The positive side as illustrated by the scientists, artists and designers working on the EABs include making of discoveries and an improved level of problem-solving.
A fundamental aspect to consider in such cooperation is the magnitude of the said socio-scientific problem. As pointed out in the article, the EAB infection runs across more than 24 states in America. Thus, this is an indicator that the problem is widespread, and thus the solution needs to be wide as well. Restricting ideas to one area of expertise may result in solutions that are partial and insufficient. The cooperation between the scientists, designers and artists ensures attainment of inclusive solutions.
When scientists, artists and designers work together, it becomes easy to achieve sustainable solutions to socio-scientific problems. Besides, coming up with solutions from single perspectives yields defective solutions with additional costs and consequences. Like it happened in the earlier versions of the models intended to draw out EABs, they were defective and did not yield the expected results. Afterward, working together led to a more efficient and sustainable solution.
Another advantage that comes in when diversity is encouraged while dealing with socio-scientific problems is the richness of information shared. All the different groups or disciplines bring to the table varied levels of perspectives opinions and insights. All these contribute to the realization of efficient solutions. When professionals from different disciplines come together for a common reason, they are provoked to think more and act decisively. In this regard, they generate a sense of obligation towards contributing to the issue from their discipline’s perspective. Through this, everyone can provide useful tips that when brought together help in building up the solution.
Despite the fact that scientists, artists, and designers are professionals in different fields, the prospect of conflict declines when handling a common problem. Their cooperation not only brings innovative solutions but also breeds the idea that coexistence for people of diverse expertise respects the input of each discipline.
They may not agree on every simple aspect of the problem-solving process, but attaining a working solution is possible. The lures brought by the collective effort of scientists, artists, and designers show the many benefits that emerge from cooperation.