Scientists' Perspectives on Navigating the Science-Policy Frontier

23 Pages Posted: 19 Jul 2010 Last revised: 14 Aug 2010

See all articles by Linse Anderson

Linse Anderson

Colorado State University, Fort Collins

Michele Betsill

Colorado State University, Fort Collins

Date Written: 2010

Abstract

The literature on the interface between science and policy suggests that the way scientists engage in the policy process influences the use of scientific knowledge in policy making. There is a lack of scholarly attention, however, to scientists themselves and how they conceptualize the interaction between science and policy. This study seeks to improve our understanding of how scientists conceptualize the science-policy interface and how they engage with this interface by studying a group of climate scientists. Based on an electronic survey and qualitative interviews we found that the scientists in our sample view policy engagement as an appropriate role for scientists. However, they exhibit low degrees of policy engagement over the past year. Cultural and capacity issues appear to limit their policy engagement, which has implications for future efforts to engage scientists in policy.

Suggested Citation

Anderson, Linse and Betsill, Michele, Scientists' Perspectives on Navigating the Science-Policy Frontier (2010). APSA 2010 Annual Meeting Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1643185

Linse Anderson (Contact Author)

Colorado State University, Fort Collins ( email )

Fort Collins, CO 80523-1771
United States

Michele Betsill

Colorado State University, Fort Collins ( email )

Fort Collins, CO 80523-1771
United States

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