Turnhout ch6

Question 1

Which six activities for policy can experts engage in

(according to Mayer et al.)

Answer 1

• Research and analyse data: gather new knowledge
• Design and recommend policy actions: suggest policy alternatives or alternative courses of action
• Offer strategic advice: suggest overall approaches
• Mediate: act as go-betweens, facilitators, or coordinators of policy
• Democratise: making sure knowledge is shared and policy options can be discussed
• Clarify values and arguments: ask questions about what is at stake, clarify which arguments are being used, point out inconsistencies or faulty arguments

Question 2

In which three ways can the science-policy interface be looked at?

Regarding the role of the expert

Answer 2

• Phase of policy-making process: is the issue in problem-defining phase, or are solutions being developed. Experts have different work to do in the different phases
• The characteristics of the policy problem: how is it perceived or framed. If relevant actors do not agree about the nature of the problem, the role of experts will be less straightforward
• Long-term patterns of decision making: how the relations between policy and experts have developed over the years and who dominates the relationship

Question 3

What are Boundary Organisations and give examples?

(4)

Answer 3

• An organisation that facilitates the transfer of knowledge between science and policy
• It is accountable to both science and politics
• Play a mediating role between the scientists producing knowledge, and the policymakers using the knowledge
• Ex. advisory councils, specialised government agencies, consultancies

Question 4

What are Boundary Objects and give examples?

(2)

Answer 4

• Objects that connect different domains (such as science and policymaking) by being flexible enough to be useful for both actors, while also providing a common ground for cooperation
• Ex. Ecological indicators or critical loads