Lessons learned through convergence research applied to wildfire risk mitigation

In this paper we examine lessons learned through the lens of a Growing Convergence Research project regarding the pressing societal challenge of managing risk associated with high-impact, simultaneous wildfires. Our project requires deep integration of climate science, forest ecology, and decision science to describe, understand, and project wildfire, its impacts, and mitigation strategies. We share lessons learned related to the application of convergence research approaches, how to identify the contexts in which they have a relative advantage over discipline-focused silos and methods, and metrics for gauging their success. We also highlight lessons learned about addressing and mitigating wildfire impacts in the current biophysical, social, and political landscape. We consider specific research thrusts and outcomes from our project while considering the question: What does a convergence approach to wildfire risk mitigation achieve beyond traditional methods, and what lessons may be generalized? Our metrics of convergence success included the ability of individuals to communicate effectively about research relevance and applicability from the perspective of their own field as well as from the fields of teammates, evidence of two way initiation of ideas from practitioners and academic researchers, application of convergence findings and tools on the ground for decision making, policy development, risk mitigation and public information needs, and the development of a strong networked community of partners demonstrating mutual trust and value in outputs through sustained and reiterative interactions.