Over the last ten years NOAA has supported an experiment in linking climate information to decision and policy processes via integrated physical and social science research. In this paper lessons learned from RISA effort are articulated, along with gaps in current capacity and knowledge.

The paper describes a set of case studies that outline the origins of the RISA concept, initial implementation, methodologies employed, and how the results are being transitioned into operational environments. These findings will be contrasted with the experience of similar research activities in Australia. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of how RISA may evolve in the future in response to the needs of U.S. public and NOAA. Part of that discussion will include issues related to the synthesis of climate information across temporal and spatial scales.

Examples of lessons learned will include findings regarding the information needs of decision-makers, types of research required to adapt climate information to a range of resource management processes and climate services, and research innovations required to ensure integrated research can be successfully conducted.