The members of the SBIF Review Working Group are sharing the task of analysing the responses and we are very pleased at the quality of insight and information that people have included within their responses, and we really appreciate and value the amount of time and effort that has been spent by each respondent.   Although the analysis is at an early stage, we do have some headline statistics to share.

SBIF results so far

A total of 290 respondents completed the questionnaire.  The pie chart below shows the number of respondents by country, the majority of whom, 209 (72.1%), were from Scotland.

Sectors

Responses were received from all sectors, and overall, the largest number of respondents had roles in non-governmental organisations (77 respondents (26.6%)), followed by recorders and recording group operators (47 respondents (16.2%)) and national recording scheme operators (35 respondents (12.1%)).  The rest of the respondents were well-spread across the other sectors so we are pleased at the reach of the questionnaire, both geographically and sectorally.

Motivation

One early section of the responses that has been analysed looks at our motivation, and across all roles the 290 respondents provided 495 responses to the question ‘What motivates you to be a <ROLE>?’ (each respondent could have supplied responses in relation to up to 12 roles).  All responses were classified as relating to, or being primarily motivated by, one of seven broad themes:  passion for recording, wildlife, nature, the environment and conservation; improved data quality, standards, skills or knowledge; job satisfaction and effective fulfilment of their professional function; scientific curiosity and a wish to know more; duty and responsibility; needing access to data of interest; and leaving a legacy.

The results are shown in the table below:  primary motivators (highlighted): the most frequent theme across responses by role.  Respondents with the roles of Recorder and Scheme Operator were primarily motivated by their passion for recording, wildlife, nature, the environment and conservation; those with the roles of Data Developer, Verifier, Data Provider, Facilitator, Service Provider and Collection Curator were primarily motivated by their desire to improve data quality, standards, skills or available knowledge; and, those with the roles of Service User, Funder, Group Operator and Data User were primarily motivated by job satisfaction and effective fulfilment of their professional function.  Note that one role, Service Provider, had two motivators of equal priority (their desire to improve and their wish for job satisfaction and effective professional fulfilment).  Perhaps it was to be expected that the primary motivation for recorders IS a passion for recording, wildlife, nature, the environment and conservation, but it is good to see that message coming through in the results.

Analysis of the questionnaire findings will continue over the next few weeks and once competed the full report will be published on the Scotland pages of the NBN website.

The post The SBIF Review – questionnaire results analysis has begun! appeared first on National Biodiversity Network.

This is being done in order to inform any realignment of structures and resources necessary to achieve the Forum’s original vision:

High quality species and habitat data will be collected and managed through a sustainable, co-ordinated and integrated local and national framework of organisations, partnerships and initiatives.  These data will be available to ensure that Scotland’s biodiversity, ecosystems and people benefit.

It is intended that the Review will be cohesive across Scotland and, by seeking support from all stakeholders, the outcomes will benefit from a willingness and energy to make any transitions necessary to implement a new infrastructure.

This progress update outlines the work that has been carried out so far and provides information where to find documents and further information about the Review.

We are just nearing the end of Stage 1 of the Review, the planning stage, and in August a paper outlining the potential framework for the Review, and the terms of reference and approach of a working group to undertake it, was written.  This paper, Paper1: Formation of, and Terms of Reference and Brief for, a Working Group to undertake this Review was approved at the recent meeting of the SBIF Advisory Group on 05/09/2016.  With this approval, Stage 1 is complete and so the Review can now get underway.

In addition to Paper 1, and to support discussions about the value of biological recording, especially with those less familiar with the subject, we have created a generic ‘Value Model’ visualisation of the components of the biological recording infrastructure.  Also referred to as ‘the Windmill’, it describes the communities and expertise involved in supporting the infrastructure, and using the data.  It provides a common vocabulary for discussion without focusing on how the components of the infrastructure are operated.

The next stage (Stage 2 of the Review) will involve the gathering of perspectives and requirements across all sectors followed by workshops to evaluate what could and should be on offer centrally, nationally and locally.  We are in the process of identifying who we will need to consult with during Stage 2 and how best to design the interviews and workshops needed.  Information from these will allow us to develop a high level business case setting out the need for change and the aspects that most need improvement.

We intend to issue a monthly highlights report about the Review.  This report will be circulated in the first instance to the Review sponsors, and will then be shared publicly on the Scotland pages of the NBN website.  All papers and associated documents (including the Windmill diagram), once approved, will also be shared on the website.

For further information about the Review please contact Christine Johnston, NBN Scottish Liaison Officer

The post Review of the Biological Recording Infrastructure in Scotland:Progress update appeared first on National Biodiversity Network.

Why make a change?

Many of you will already be aware that navigating the different organisations with a biodiversity remit has become more difficult while the need for an effective biodiversity data infrastructure has grown. The funding and sustainability of such an infrastructure is also an increasing challenge in this time of decreasing public spending.  With this in mind, SBIF, BRISC and NBN have sought to improve their alignment, and to this end, in November 2015, a range of options were proposed (from no change through to more significant change) to develop our thinking.

Recommendations

Following further discussion, the SBIF Executive Group made three recommendations.  These have since been welcomed and endorsed by the SBIF Steering Group, the NBN’s Board of Trustees and the BRISC Committee.  The three recommendations are:

1. that SBIF and NBN are united so that there is a single body governing the biodiversity data infrastructure and the Data Flow Pathway.  To honour the original Public Petition which brought SBIF into existence, it is proposed that the SBIF Steering Group continues as an Advisory Group to the NBN in Scotland (to be known as the SBIF Advisory Group) to support and facilitate the NBN and the Data Flow Pathway.
2. that the SBIF Coordinator role held by Christine Johnston is transferred to be managed and hosted directly by the NBN to act as their Scottish Liaison Officer thereby maximising the capacity of the NBN in Scotland.
3. that, following implementation of Recommendations 1 and 2, the SBIF Advisory Group should focus on two matters:

• driving a review and redesign of the Local Environmental Record Centre (LERC) and recording group network with a view to realigning the network (subject to stakeholder consultation).
• facilitating the Data Flow Pathway in Scotland so that the envisaged biodiversity infrastructure is highly effective.

Next steps

From the 1^st April 2016, Christine Johnston will be known as the NBN Scottish Liaison Officer, which will be a full-time position, and she will continue to work on behalf of all of SBIF’s supporters.  We hope that all existing supporters of SBIF will continue to be interested and involved in the work of SBIF and the NBN in the future.  We will ensure ongoing communications as the work outlined above in Recommendation 3 is taken forward.

In addition we will be developing a Memorandum of Understanding between SBIF/NBN and BRISC so that there is clarity regarding the different roles which are undertaken in the promotion of an effective biodiversity data infrastructure.

Contacts

If you have any queries or concerns please contact Ellen Wilson, SBIF Chair.

You can contact Christine Johnston by email at c.johnston@nbn.org.uk

The post Aligning the work of SBIF, BRISC and the NBN appeared first on National Biodiversity Network.