Managing science-policy interfaces for impact: interactions within the environmental governance meshwork

Sarkki, Simo; Balian, Estelle; Heink, Ulrich; Keune, Hans; Nesshöver, Carsten; Niemelä, Jari; Tinch, Rob; Van Den Hove, Sybille; Watt, Allan; Waylen, Kerry A.; Young, Juliette C.. 2020 Managing science-policy interfaces for impact: interactions within the environmental governance meshwork. Environmental Science & Policy, 113. 21-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2019.05.011

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2019.05.011

Abstract/Summary

Science-policy interface organizations and initiatives (SPIORG) are a key component of environmental governance designed to make links between science and society. However, the sciencepolicy interface literature lacks a structured approach to explaining the impacts of context on and by these initiatives. To better understand these impacts on and interactions with governance, this paper uses the concept of the governance ‘meshwork’ to explore how dynamic processes – encompassing prior, current and anticipated interactions – coproduce knowledge and impact via processes, negotiation and networking activities at multiple governance levels. To illustrate the interactions between SPIORGs and governance meshwork we use five cases representing archetypal SPIORGs. These cases demonstrate how all initiatives and organizations link to their contexts in complex and unique ways, yet also identifies ten important aspects that connect the governance meshwork to SPIORGs. These aspects of the meshwork, together with the typology of organizations, provide a comprehensive framework that can help make sense how the SPIORGs are embedded in the surrounding governance contexts. We highlight that SPIORGs must purposively consider and engage with their contexts to increase their potential impact on knowledge co-production and policy making.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2019.05.011
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-) UKCEH Fellows
ISSN:	1462-9011
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	environmental governance, meshwork, science policy interfaces, pathways to impact, coproduction
NORA Subject Terms:	General > Science Policy
Date made live:	31 Jul 2019 13:37 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/524597

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2019.05.011

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)
UKCEH Fellows

ISSN:

1462-9011

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

environmental governance, meshwork, science policy interfaces, pathways to impact, coproduction