Environ Pollut. 2007 Aug;148(3):867-74. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2007.01.048. Epub 2007 May 04.

Challenges of linking scientific knowledge to river basin management policy: AquaTerra as a case study.

Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)

A F L Slob, M Rijnveld, A S Chapman, P Strosser

PMID: 17481787 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2007.01.048

Abstract

The EU Project AquaTerra generates knowledge about the river-soil-sediment-groundwater system and delivers scientific information of value for river basin management. In this article, the use and ignorance of scientific knowledge in decision making is explored by a theoretical review. We elaborate on the 'two-communities theory', which explains the problems of the policy-science interface by relating and comparing the different cultures, contexts, and languages of researchers and policy makers. Within AquaTerra, the EUPOL subproject examines the policy-science interface with the aim of achieving a good connection between the scientific output of the project and EU policies. We have found two major barriers, namely language and resources, as well as two types of relevant relationships: those between different research communities and those between researchers and policy makers.

MeSH terms

• Cooperative Behavior
• Policy Making
• Public Policy*
• Research
• Rivers*
• Science

Publication Types

• Journal Article
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't