Relevant to: Research
Sector: Environment

Summary: Fernandez argues that incorrect assumptions by scientists around the role of expert knowledge in decision-making limits their influence and impact in the decision-making process.

In this discussion paper, Fernandez argues that there is confusion among environmental scientists about the role of expert knowledge in decision making, focusing on four widespread assumptions:

-That better information is all that it takes for individuals and societies to change their behaviour in favour of the environment
-That such information mostly involves hard data (i.e. peer reviewed), properly communicated
-That scientific consensus – even certainty – is indispensible for managerial and political action
-That scientists are in a privileged position to provide an unbiased view and to propose the ‘best’ solutions on issues close to the field of their expertise

The author analyses these assumptions and their consequences, pleading for a more realistic attitude towards ecological research. He argues that not only are these assumptions wrong, but that they are detrimental because they act to limit environmental scientists influence and impact in the decision-making process. The author argues that tacit knowledge (i.e. non-codified knowledge) can have a large influence on how issues are perceived, prioritised and addressed. The author includes a ‘cheat sheet’ for environmental scientists to guide their interactions with decision-makers and other non-scientists, aimed at avoiding counter-productive arguments or assumptions.

This annotated bibliography was developed from the following paper:
Fernandez, R.J (2016) How to be a more effective environmental scientist in management and policy contexts. Environmental Science and Policy 64:171-176.