Bridging the gap between science and policy: the importance of mutual respect, trust and the role of mediators

Abstract

Around the world there are widespread efforts to ensure that policy decisions are based upon a sound evidence base, and in particular to facilitate closer integration between the research and policy communities. This commentary provides an overview of the current situation in different parts of the world relating to the opportunities that exist for policy makers to assimilate scientific findings, as well as the existing barriers perceived by both the policy and research communities. Mutual trust and respect between the relevant parties emerge as crucial factors in successful collaboration. Skilled mediators are also considered essential to ensuring effective communication; this may be via third parties such as NGOs, or news services and online portals to convey, ‘translate’ and place in a policy context the scientific findings. Mechanisms for improving researchers’ communication skills as well as increasing their awareness of the need to communicate proactively with the policy community are also considered in order to inform future practice in this area.

Public anxiety, trust, and the role of mediators in communicating risk of exposure to low dose radiation after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant explosion

“…34 A recent article argued that for the development of public trust, policy makers and experts should respect each other; additionally, mediation should play a more prominent role with participation by NGOs, news services, and online portals throughout the world. 35 Another suggestion was the construction of a system to support better communication between experts and members of society to facilitate evidencebased policy making. 35…”

“…35 Another suggestion was the construction of a system to support better communication between experts and members of society to facilitate evidencebased policy making. 35…”

Visual Representations of Radiation Risk and the Question of Public (Mis-)Trust in Post-Fukushima Japan

“…Hultquist and Cervone [87] suggest the need for closer collaboration or even a merger of state-run and citizen-centered monitoring systems. At any rate, mutual trust and respect and the ability to communicate, possibly with the support of neutral mediators, are indispensable if the divide between politics, science, the media and the public is to be overcome [89]. Suspicion and the experience of unmet or violated expectations are central factors that contribute to the emergence of mistrust [90], and mistrust leads to weakening of relationships, lack of cooperation and even deception [91].…”

Digging deeper? Muddling through? How environmental activists make sense and use of science — an exploratory study

“…Environmental communication variously overlaps with the field of science communication, and activists refer to and use scientific evidence to substantiate their arguments when competing with other societal actors for public and political attention [Cox, 2013]. They thus take up a central role in the environmental discourse concerning the translation of scientific findings and their public dissemination [Bultitude, Rodari and Weitkamp, 2012;Doyle, 2009]. Accordingly, it is assumed that they depend on science and need to evaluate and deal with science-related information in the course of their everyday work.…”