From pure science to participatory knowledge production? Researchers’ perceptions on science–policy interface in bioenergy policy

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanna-Riikka Saarela
Keyword(s):  
Science Policy ◽  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Science And Policy ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Science Policy Interface ◽  
Effective Science ◽  
Multiple Challenges ◽  
Societal Problems ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Research And Policy

Abstract There is a plea for dialogue and interaction between researchers and policymakers, particularly in relation to burning and complex societal problems. However, day-to-day science–policy interaction remains a challenge. By investigating researchers’ perspectives on challenges and opportunities of evolving interaction between science and policy, this article contributes to the ongoing discussions on workable and effective science–policy interface. The analysis, based on twelve in-depth interviews with experienced forest bioenergy researchers working at different organizations in Finland, shows that researchers appreciate a variety of roles and contributions from pure scientist to participatory knowledge production. Paradoxically, researchers ideologically still adhere to objective and linear knowledge production, which is, however, associated with multiple challenges such as politicization of science, disuse or misuse of scientific knowledge and communication. The article concludes that more nuanced consideration and acknowledgement of science–policy context as well as researchers’ role in it could create mutual benefits for research and policy.

scholarly journals Country Representatives’ Perceptions of the Biodiversity Science-Policy Interface

Conservation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-81
Author(s):  
André Derek Mader ◽  
Brian Alan Johnson ◽  
Yuki Ohashi ◽  
Isabella Fenstermaker
Keyword(s):  
Science Policy ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Science And Policy ◽  
Biodiversity Knowledge ◽  
Biodiversity Science ◽  
Science Policy Interface ◽  
Adequate Quality ◽  
The Subject

Biodiversity knowledge is communicated by scientists to policymakers at the biodiversity “science-policy interface” (SPI). Although the biodiversity SPI is the subject of a growing body of literature, gaps in our understanding include the efficacy of mechanisms to bridge the interface, the quality of information exchanged between science and policy, and the inclusivity of stakeholders involved. To improve this understanding, we surveyed an important but under-studied group—biodiversity policymakers and scientific advisors representing their respective countries in negotiations of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). We found that a wide variety of SPI mechanisms were being used. Overall, they were considered to be sufficiently effective, improving over time, and supplied with information of adequate quality. Most respondents, however, agreed that key actors were still missing from the biodiversity SPI.

Bridging the science-policy gap in a transition-country setting: enablers and barriers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micha Werner ◽  
Nora van Cauwenbergh ◽  
Tibor Stigter ◽  
Leonardo Alfonso Segura ◽  
Teresita Betancur Vargas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Policy Implementation ◽  
Science Policy ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Science And Policy ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Science Policy Interface ◽  
Scientific Results

<p>Despite a significant increase in attention for uptake of scientific results, the integration of emerging science in policy development and implementation remains challenging. The persistent gap between science and policy may frustrate the parties involved. For the scientists, the intended impacts of what are typically very much applied research efforts remain unattained. Those involved in policy implementation and development may perceive a lack of scientific support. This may particularly be the case in transitional countries, where the development of science may struggle to keep up with rapid societal and policy development; with several factors either impeding or facilitating the uptake of emergent scientific knowledge.</p><p>We implemented a series of participatory and action research activities to support the development and implementation of groundwater management policies in Colombia and explore barriers and enabling conditions to a functional science-policy interface. The factors that either impede or facilitate the process are examined through three case studies in different regions of the country. Although the national policies that govern groundwater resources management in these three areas are the same; the degree to which scientific knowledge is used to support policy implementation varies. Several factors are identified that influence the effectivity of the linkage, including among others; the availability of scientific knowledge; the establishing of trust relationships and positioning of institutions and stakeholders; as well as institutional readiness in supporting the policy implementation process. This comparison provides useful insight into how addressing some of the impeding factors may enrich the science-policy process.</p>

scholarly journals Structuring policy problems for plastics, the environment and human health: reflections from the UK

2009 ◽  
Vol 364 (1526) ◽  
pp. 2141-2151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Shaxson
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Science Policy ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Policy Issue ◽  
Simple Problem ◽  
Problem Structuring ◽  
Science And Policy ◽  
Science Policy Interface ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Policy Problems

How can we strengthen the science–policy interface for plastics, the environment and human health? In a complex policy area with multiple stakeholders, it is important to clarify the nature of the particular plastics-related issue before trying to understand how to reconcile the supply and demand for evidence in policy. This article proposes a simple problem typology to assess the fundamental characteristics of a policy issue and thus identify appropriate processes for science–policy interactions. This is illustrated with two case studies from one UK Government Department, showing how policy and science meet over the environmental problems of plastics waste in the marine environment and on land. A problem-structuring methodology helps us understand why some policy issues can be addressed through relatively linear flows of science from experts to policymakers but why others demand a more reflexive approach to brokering the knowledge between science and policy. Suggestions are given at the end of the article for practical actions that can be taken on both sides.

scholarly journals Learning from the Experiences of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Balancing Science and Policy to Enable Trustworthy Knowledge

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 6533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustafsson
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Production Process ◽  
Science Policy ◽  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Societal Change ◽  
Intergovernmental Panel ◽  
Science And Policy ◽  
The Public ◽  
Boundary Organizations ◽  
Policy Relevance

To create a societal change towards a sustainable future, constructive relations between science and policy are of major importance. Boundary organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have come to play an important role in establishing such constructive relations. This study contributes to the development of empirically informed knowledge on the challenge of balancing different expectations for how the science–policy relation is to be constructed to create trustworthy knowledge and policy decisions, i.e., when to be what and to whom. This study revisits Climategate and uses the public debate on the IPCC’s credibility, legitimacy, and policy relevance that followed Climategate as an analytical window to explore how the IPCC balanced the science–policy relation in a trustworthy manner. The analysis is based on a document study. The study shows how different expectations on the science–policy relation coexist, and how these risks create a loss of trust, credibility, legitimacy, and policy relevance. Thus, for boundary organizations to have a chance to impact policy discussions, reflexivity about the present epistemic ideals and expectations on knowledge production is of major importance, and must be reflected in an organizational flexibility that is open to different strategies on how to connect science and policy in relation to different actors and phases of the knowledge production process.

Water policy at science–policy interface – challenges and opportunities for India

Water Policy ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 288-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suparana Katyaini ◽  
Anamika Barua
Keyword(s):  
Science Policy ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
North West ◽  
Water Policies ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Science Policy Interface

Water scarcity is a serious concern in emerging economies, as it impacts human development, livelihoods, environment and economic growth. Policies should be formulated in a way that reflects the problem of water scarcity and is oriented towards providing solutions. The science–policy interface can play a key role in translating scientific knowledge into policy action and in mitigating water scarcity of emerging economies like that of India. Hence, the paper aims to review scientific knowledge on water scarcity in India, and analyze the extent to which this knowledge is reflected in the water policies – to understand the science–policy interface. This has been done by extensive review of various scientific approaches used to assess water scarcity at the national and state level. The analysis indicates that Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat in the north-west, and Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in the south experience high water scarcity. To analyze whether this scientific knowledge has been translated into policy, existing water policies were critically reviewed. The paper, by identifying key policy areas, discusses challenges and opportunities for strengthening the science–policy interface, in the context of water scarcity mitigation. The paper argues that translating scientific knowledge into policy action continues to be a major challenge in India.

Conceptualizing Numbers at the Science–Policy Interface

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 1039-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zora Kovacic
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Science Policy ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Science And Policy ◽  
Policy Alternative ◽  
Alternative Facts ◽  
Science Policy Interface ◽  
Interface Science ◽  
Valuation Of Ecosystem Services ◽  
Pedigree Approach

Quantitative information is one of the means used to interface science with policy. As a consequence, much effort is invested in producing quantitative information for policy and much criticism is directed toward the use of numbers in policy. In this paper, I analyze five approaches drawn from such criticisms and propose alternative uses of quantitative information for governance: (i) valuation of ecosystem services, (ii) social multicriteria evaluation, (iii) quantification of uncertainty through the Numeral, Unit, Spread, Assessment, Pedigree approach, (iv) Quantitative Story-Telling, and (v) the heuristic use of statistics. The analysis shows the varied ways that numbers are conceptualized and how different conceptualizations matter for the science–policy interface. Alternative conceptualizations of numbers are used to challenge the model of science-speaking truth to power. Uncertainty, complexity, pluralism, malpractice, and values are mobilized to redefine the relations between science and policy. Alternative quantification may produce alternative facts, but reflexive approaches that use numbers to discuss the relevance of equity, positionality, and quality in science for policy may offer a remedy.

scholarly journals Network analysis of workshop activities reveals increasing transdisciplinarity of German biodiversity research community

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Geschke ◽  
Martina Lutz ◽  
Katrin Vohland
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
Science Policy ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Biodiversity Research ◽  
Biodiversity Science ◽  
Science Policy Interface ◽  
Effective Science ◽  
Knowledge Brokers ◽  
And Cluster Analysis

AbstractBoundary spanning activities in the biodiversity science-policy interface are urgently needed. Effective science communication and uptake of scientific findings by policymakers is crucial for a successful, cross-scale policy implementation. For this, national platforms promoting knowledge exchange between different stakeholder groups are key. Established in 2009, the Network-Forum on Biodiversity Research Germany (NeFo) until 2018 has organized more than 40 workshops bringing together actors from science, policy and society. In this paper, we present a network and cluster analysis of these NeFo workshops. Based on this, we discuss the importance of science-policy interface projects and networks as knowledge brokers and boundary organizations, as well as challenges in using network analysis as a tool for evaluating workshop impacts. Based on the network analysis outcomes as well as experiences in the conduction of workshops, recommendations to strengthen the innovation impact of networking efforts are drawn.

Sedimentation–upwelling: a model for the science–policy interface in the case of climate change and California water

Water Policy ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-124
Author(s):  
Michael Kiparsky
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Science Policy ◽  
Water Policy ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Science And Policy ◽  
California Water ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Gradual Process ◽  
Science Policy Interface

This paper sets forth a framework to describe the science–policy interface. The “sedimentation–upwelling model” is a two-part process through which scientific information gradually becomes part of resource managers' and policymakers' agendas. In this paper, sedimentation refers to a gradual process through which scientific information slowly permeates a policymaking body, often slowly and through multiple sources. Upwelling is a process by which policymakers, having become aware of scientific concepts in a general way though sedimentation, independently devise policy actions consistent with the scientific body of knowledge. The framework was tested in the case of climate change science and California water policy through an analysis of historical data and interviews with key players on the science and policy sides of this issue. A remarkably consistent scientific message over the course of fifteen years before 2003 was not followed by corresponding changes in water management, as a “linear model” in which policymakers act directly on scientists recommendations would predict. Instead, both sedimentation and upwelling operated in this case and the importance of the linear pathway was minimal. Viewing science in the context of the upwelling-sedimentation model does not imply that science is ultimately any less influential on policy. On the contrary, this work suggests that policymakers rely on general, widespread cues that come both directly from scientists and through intermediaries and that these cues can influence policy choices in important, but often indirect ways.

scholarly journals Communication on the Science-Policy Interface: An Overview of Conceptual Models

Publications ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nataliia Sokolovska ◽  
Benedikt Fecher ◽  
Gert G. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Science Policy ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Conceptual Models ◽  
Linear Phase ◽  
Science And Policy ◽  
Science Policy Interface ◽  
Continuous Interaction ◽  
Scholarly Discourse ◽  
Skill Building ◽  
Communicative Relationship

This article focuses on scholarly discourse on the science-policy interface, and in particular on questions regarding how this discourse can be understood in the course of history and which lessons we can learn. We aim to structure the discourse, show kinships of different concepts, and contextualize these concepts. For the twentieth century we identify three major phases that describe interactions on the science policy interface: the “linear phase” (1960s–1970s) when science informed policy-making in a unidirectional manner, the “interactive phase” (1970–2000s) when both sides found themselves in a continuous interaction, and the “embedded phase” (starting from the 2000s) when citizens’ voices come to be involved within this dialogue more explicitly. We show that the communicative relationship between science and policy-making has become more complex over time with an increasing number of actors involved. We argue that better skill-building and education can help to improve communication within the science-policy interface.

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