Making science usable for communities

Translating scientists’ big-picture data into actionable information for on-the-ground decision makers can help cities prepare for the future, and the University of Michigan-led Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments (GLISA) was founded nearly two decades ago to fill that gap. 

“We need to start thinking about what our planet will look like in the future, rather than trying to anchor it in the past,” said GLISA co-founder Richard Rood, professor emeritus of climate and space sciences and engineering. “There will be loss and we need to prepare for that loss. There will also be opportunity and gain.” 

GLISA works closely with small- and mid-sized cities, developing user-friendly maps, workshops, and planning resources that aid them in making informed decisions about development, resource allocation, and preparedness. GLISA doesn’t prescribe solutions; it enables communities. One way it achieves that is by creating “boundary chains”—groups of local partners with different skills and backgrounds that pool their expertise and resources in service of a common goal.

Through trust-building, knowledge sharing, and tailored support, GLISA offers a model for regions across the country working to adapt and thrive. Read an in-depth Michigan Engineer magazine article about GLISA’s work in Goshen, Indiana published in 2022.