TY - JOUR
T1 - Policy windows for the environment: Tips for improving the uptake of scientific knowledge
AU - Rose, David C.
AU - Mukherjee, Nibedita
AU - Simmons, Benno I.
AU - Tew, Eleanor R.
AU - Robertson, Rebecca J.
AU - Vadrot, Alice B.M.
AU - Doubleday, Robert
AU - Sutherland, William J.
PY - 2020/11
Y1 - 2020/11
N2 - Scientific knowledge is considered to be an important factor (alongside others) in environmental policy-making. However, the opportunity for environmentalists to influence policy can often occur within short, discrete time windows. Therefore, a piece of research may have a negligible or transformative policy influence depending on when it is presented. These ‘policy windows’ are sometimes predictable, such as those dealing with conventions or legislation with a defined renewal period, but are often hard to anticipate. We describe four ways that environmentalists can respond to policy windows and increase the likelihood of knowledge uptake: 1) foresee (and create) emergent windows, 2) respond quickly to opening windows, 3) frame research in line with appropriate windows, and 4) persevere in closed windows. These categories are closely linked; efforts to enhance the incorporation of scientific knowledge into policy need to harness mechanisms within each. We illustrate the main points with reference to nature conservation, but the principles apply widely.
AB - Scientific knowledge is considered to be an important factor (alongside others) in environmental policy-making. However, the opportunity for environmentalists to influence policy can often occur within short, discrete time windows. Therefore, a piece of research may have a negligible or transformative policy influence depending on when it is presented. These ‘policy windows’ are sometimes predictable, such as those dealing with conventions or legislation with a defined renewal period, but are often hard to anticipate. We describe four ways that environmentalists can respond to policy windows and increase the likelihood of knowledge uptake: 1) foresee (and create) emergent windows, 2) respond quickly to opening windows, 3) frame research in line with appropriate windows, and 4) persevere in closed windows. These categories are closely linked; efforts to enhance the incorporation of scientific knowledge into policy need to harness mechanisms within each. We illustrate the main points with reference to nature conservation, but the principles apply widely.
KW - Evidence-based conservation
KW - Evidence-based policy
KW - Evidence-informed policy
KW - Horizon scanning
KW - Policy windows
KW - Science-policy interface
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85026410614&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.envsci.2017.07.013
DO - 10.1016/j.envsci.2017.07.013
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85026410614
VL - 113
SP - 47
EP - 54
JO - Environmental Science & Policy
JF - Environmental Science & Policy
SN - 1462-9011
ER -