Reflections on the Impact of Social Learning from the Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) Network

The RISA network has 20+ years of experimenting, innovating and sustaining regional efforts to advance climate adaptation. Process-based approaches, such as social learning, have been important to the RISA model. Components of social learning, such as engagement and participation, capacity building and understanding, iterative reflection, and institutional change, have been integrated with differing levels into RISA efforts across regions of the U.S. Now, there is greater interest in learning not only about the effectiveness of these approaches, but how to more systematically test effectiveness and impact through research and experience. I will provide examples of the use of process-based approaches from the RISA network, particularly around the co-production of knowledge, and the (relatively early) efforts to evaluate them.