Leading scientists from the University of Adelaide, led by Associate Professor Sean Connell, believe kelp forests along the Adelaide metro coastline, once considered to be declining due to human activity, will be brought back to life thanks to the State Government’s new water initiatives.

1. Patricia von Baumgarten
Sean Connell

2. OUTLINE
• Policy
• Connecting Science and Policy
• Connecting Science and Politics
• SA Examples
• DEH-The University of Adelaide partnership
• A view from the the kelps

3. Concepts
Public Policy Evidence-based Policy
•How politicians make a •Scientific knowledge
difference •Research and data
•Instrument of governance •Analysis of stakeholder opinion
•The decisions that direct public •Economic and statistical
resources in one direction but not modelling
another •cost/benefit analysis
Source: The Australian Policy Handbook, Bridgman and Davis, 2004
“for civil servants, a capacity to analyse problems rationally and empirically and to
advance options for action by Government is a basic ethical duty” (Terry Moran)

4. Elements of Policy Decision
Science
Politics
Adapted from Banks, 2009

5. Policy Cycle
Policy
Consultation
instruments
Policy analysis Coordination
START: Identify Issues Decision
Evidence is Evaluation Implementation
necessary in each
stage
Bridgman and Davis 2004

6. What about connecting science and
politics?
Science needs to be understood so it can inform public
debate….which leads to less emotive arguments and
better outcomes…..
• Communicating science in an understandable manner –
science communicators
• Connecting science with people – science week
• Connecting science with members of parliament –
science meets parliament
• Making science accessible – journals can be expensive!!!
• Engaging people in scientific programs – Reefwatch, Reef
Life Survey
• Prioritising connecting science in budget cycles

7. How do we do it in SA?
• Scientific capability and expertise in policy development
• Research culture
• Engage people in scientific debate
• Committees with members from community discussing science
• Opportunity for indigenous people to contribute with their knowledge
• Attendance to public events
• Academic Involvement providing for independence
• Scientific peer review
• Scientific Working Group that advises the Minister
• Scientists as members of statutory committees
• Contract with Flinders University to engage the services of Prof Fairweather
• Partnerships - Adelaide University

8. Th
ei
ss
WHEN & HOW DID THIS PATTERN TAKE SHAPE? ue

9. Go Cro
ve ss
Courtesy of DEH Co rn
ns me
en nT
su
s

10. CA
us
es
(+4‰) (0‰) (+10‰)
δ15N δ15N δ15N

11. CA
us
es

12. so
lu
Ti o
ns
Recovery (~ 3 years)
Natural Urban
Watershed

13. so
lu
Ti o
ns
100
80
60
40
%
R
o
e
y
v
c
)
(
r
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Turf covers (%)
Polluted seascapes
Control seascapes

14. so
lu
Ti o
Non-removal control ns
Turf removal
100
80
60
40
%
R
o
e
y
v
c
)
(
r
20
0
1 2 3
Turf-dominated sites

15. Be
ne
fiT
s
Conceptual summary of experiments
Size of Effect
Global Local Global & Local
Stressors

16. Po
liC
Y

17. Po
liC
Y
Wastewater treatment plants
5000 now 2400 tonnes
Target is 600 tonnes nitrogen

18. Final Remark
A society with well connected science, policy
and politics is a society less driven by the
influence of sectional interests;
it is a society that achieves better social,
economic and environmental outcomes;
it is a much more equitable society.