Environmental research in Israel: On the need for a novel organizational change

This study presents some of our main findings on the structure of environmental research in Israel. These findings are: first, the government is dominant in supporting environmental research, but most studies are conducted within university premises; second, no indications exist to support the claim that environmental research is interdisciplinary. If it is asserted that policy-oriented environmental research ought to be inter-disciplinary, a need for a novel strategy for conducting and organizing environmental research is observed. Science policy makers in other countries face similar problems. Thus, our proposed organizational change has general applications. This proposal intertwines research and policy making by establishing a university-based research center for the study of environmental resources. The proposed center will be funded primarily by governmental bodies and respond to policy needs. It will be unique, however, in that from time to time its staff will have to undertake policy assignments besides common research activities. Implementation of this proposal will improve communication between scientists and decision makers, thus enhancing the role of environmental research in the policy-making process.