“Science-Policy Interactions in Climate Policy – How can Science-Policy Interactions be effectively institutionalized?”
Problem
The PhD thesis draws on the assumption that scientific expertise is able to make valuable contributions to climate policy. However, science and policy are often insufficiently linked due to a range of strong barriers for an effective integration of scientific knowledge in political decision-making. Accordingly, climate policy may possibly benefit from new types and institutions of science-policy interaction (SPI).
Project
By applying a multi-theory framework, which builds on the concept of ‘knowledge brokerage’ (KB) that clearly goes beyond the ‘classical’ linear model of mere knowledge transfer, the thesis mainly deals with questions on how SPI can be effectively institutionalized and how processes of ‘knowledge brokerage’ can be fostered, especially in Austria. In order to answer these questions, the dissertation will comparatively analyze various outstanding knowledge brokerage institutions, particularly in Austrian, Dutch, and Swiss climate policy. The in-depth analysis of relevant cases shall provide a profound understanding of how climate science and climate policy are productively integrated in selected institutions and processes. In order to comprehensively analyze and understand the KB institutions and to assure that reflections on the transferability of the findings can be made, a special emphasis will be laid on the analysis of the politico-cultural environments and overall science-policy landscapes in which the institutions are established and perform. Finally, by synthesizing the empirical results and critically reflecting them with relevant stakeholders, within the framework of a transdisciplinary workshop, the project aims at revealing options on how to improve KB institutions and processes in Austrian climate policy.
Project team
phd-student: Hermann Andrea Tony, Dipl.-Pol.
supervisor: Hogl Karl, Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. nat. techn.
co-supervisor: Kromp-Kolb Helga, O.Univ.Prof. Dr. phil.
Pregernig Michael, Prof. Dr.