HIGHLIGHTS
This paper conceptualises the practical relevance of research within the Research-Integration-Utilisation (RIU) model.
The practical relevance of scientific projects depends on selection of scientific information by powerful actors.
The selection takes place within integration forums in which actors from praxis meet with scientists.
The integration forum concept provides answers as to how a scientific project can organise effective knowledge transfer and based on pre-analysis how to identify these forums.
The RIU model recommend that scientists become active in looking for integration forums which might fit for their scientific message to support the knowledge transfer process.
SUMMARY
The forest science-based solutions for natural hazard management proposed by applied research projects are expected to develop practical relevance. In order to achieve this ambitious goal of knowledge transfer, the innovative Research-Integration-Utilization (RIU) model is applied in the GreenRisk4Alps Project1. The two hypotheses on the integration of scientific information focus on (1) the bi-directional selection of scientific information by actors and (2) the selection of actors within integration forums. A review of literature and empirical evidence collected by the GreenRisk4Alps project in 2018–2020 show that only selected scientific information makes it into praxis and highlights that three different types of integration forums define the relevant actors who drive the integration into praxis. Based on that RIU model extension we recommend strengthening the practical relevance of projects by conducting a pre-analysis in order to identify already existing integration forums and to also trigger new integration forums.
