STEPS Centre Annual Symposium 2013 – Credibility Across Cultures: expertise, uncertainty and the global politics of scientific advice, 6-7 February 2013.
Professor Anne Glover CBE, Chief Scientific Adviser to the President of the European Commission keynote lecture.
The document summarizes different perspectives on national water policies and science approaches:
1) "Too much 'Eagle Eye' Science" refers to a top-down, control-oriented bureaucratic perspective while "Too little 'Toad's Eye' Science" refers to a bottom-up, localized perspective.
2) Neither perspective alone is sufficient - expert science (ES) lacks roots in reality while traditional/indigenous science (TS) lacks broader perspective.
3) There are plural definitions of the water problem and different social responses based on control, market forces, egalitarianism, or abundance vs. scarcity mindsets.
This document discusses effective structures for scientific advice across different scales and contexts. It argues that scientific evidence needs to be embedded in decision-making processes by redesigning those processes, and that scientific advice needs to communicate complexity in a simpler manner to promote evidence-based decisions. The document also notes opportunities in the near future like the UN Secretary General's Scientific Advisory Board and Future Earth initiative. However, it stresses that conversations around the science-policy interface cannot stop and the scientific community has a responsibility to maintain engagement.
This document discusses whether scientific consensus is necessary for climate science to be authoritative. It notes that early IPCC reports emphasized achieving consensus among authors and reviewers. Politicians have also defended the IPCC's conclusions as an "overwhelming global scientific consensus". However, the document acknowledges that IPCC reports contain minority dissenting opinions that could not be accommodated. It argues that while peer review aims to achieve consensus, an authoritative assessment can still contain dissenting views. The document also discusses challenges to the consensus from climate skeptics who argue alternative points of view deserve to be heard.
The document discusses the role of scientific experts in providing policy advice and the challenges they face. It notes that while expert advice carries great authority, that authority can be seductive for both experts and decision-makers. It argues that strong institutions are needed to preserve the authority of expertise and ensure advice is responsibly provided. The document examines different perspectives experts can take and issues that can arise from political pressures on science advice. It emphasizes the need for experts to act with leadership and responsibility when engaging with policymakers.
The Green Park Collaborative (GPC) has developed a new tool to help health care decision makers confidently and consistently use Real World Evidence (RWE) when making tough coverage and care choices. Called RWE Decoder, the spreadsheet-based assessment tool lets users review and evaluate all existing studies and evidence for both rigor and relevance. Informed by these factors, users can assess study quality, and generate a visual summary to help gauge the evidence under review.
Published RWE studies developed from data-rich electronic medical records or medical claims data are increasingly available from health care systems. However, the quality of this research can vary widely, and payers, clinicians and other health care decision makers often dismiss it out of hand. RWE Decoder and its associated user guide and framework, offer a thoughtful approach to helping these decision makers assess whether RWE studies address their questions and can appropriately guide their choices.
The tool, user guide, and supporting white paper are available here: https://goo.gl/AhbHUw
The document summarizes key discussions from a conference hosted by SAPEA on new approaches to science for policy in Europe. Some of the main points discussed included:
- Collaboration within and across sectors is essential for success in addressing challenges.
- Social sciences and humanities play a vital role in policy advice.
- Scientists must engage with the public, not just inform them.
- International issues require an interdisciplinary approach.
- Citizens' concerns must be understood by scientists and policymakers.
- Creating inclusive communities for shared learning and dialogue is important.
This document summarizes an article about podcasting for language learning. It begins by defining podcasting and discussing how the popularity of portable media players and iTunes has increased access to podcast resources. It then reviews current practices in podcasting, including the types of content available. It classifies podcast resources for language learning into two main groups: authentic content from native speakers, and language courses/teaching content specifically designed for language learning. The latter are further divided into stand-alone courses and supporting materials for classroom teaching or independent learners. The document discusses some examples of how institutions have utilized podcasting for language instruction.
The document summarizes different perspectives on national water policies and science approaches:
1) "Too much 'Eagle Eye' Science" refers to a top-down, control-oriented bureaucratic perspective while "Too little 'Toad's Eye' Science" refers to a bottom-up, localized perspective.
2) Neither perspective alone is sufficient - expert science (ES) lacks roots in reality while traditional/indigenous science (TS) lacks broader perspective.
3) There are plural definitions of the water problem and different social responses based on control, market forces, egalitarianism, or abundance vs. scarcity mindsets.
This document discusses effective structures for scientific advice across different scales and contexts. It argues that scientific evidence needs to be embedded in decision-making processes by redesigning those processes, and that scientific advice needs to communicate complexity in a simpler manner to promote evidence-based decisions. The document also notes opportunities in the near future like the UN Secretary General's Scientific Advisory Board and Future Earth initiative. However, it stresses that conversations around the science-policy interface cannot stop and the scientific community has a responsibility to maintain engagement.
This document discusses whether scientific consensus is necessary for climate science to be authoritative. It notes that early IPCC reports emphasized achieving consensus among authors and reviewers. Politicians have also defended the IPCC's conclusions as an "overwhelming global scientific consensus". However, the document acknowledges that IPCC reports contain minority dissenting opinions that could not be accommodated. It argues that while peer review aims to achieve consensus, an authoritative assessment can still contain dissenting views. The document also discusses challenges to the consensus from climate skeptics who argue alternative points of view deserve to be heard.
The document discusses the role of scientific experts in providing policy advice and the challenges they face. It notes that while expert advice carries great authority, that authority can be seductive for both experts and decision-makers. It argues that strong institutions are needed to preserve the authority of expertise and ensure advice is responsibly provided. The document examines different perspectives experts can take and issues that can arise from political pressures on science advice. It emphasizes the need for experts to act with leadership and responsibility when engaging with policymakers.
The Green Park Collaborative (GPC) has developed a new tool to help health care decision makers confidently and consistently use Real World Evidence (RWE) when making tough coverage and care choices. Called RWE Decoder, the spreadsheet-based assessment tool lets users review and evaluate all existing studies and evidence for both rigor and relevance. Informed by these factors, users can assess study quality, and generate a visual summary to help gauge the evidence under review.
Published RWE studies developed from data-rich electronic medical records or medical claims data are increasingly available from health care systems. However, the quality of this research can vary widely, and payers, clinicians and other health care decision makers often dismiss it out of hand. RWE Decoder and its associated user guide and framework, offer a thoughtful approach to helping these decision makers assess whether RWE studies address their questions and can appropriately guide their choices.
The tool, user guide, and supporting white paper are available here: https://goo.gl/AhbHUw
The document summarizes key discussions from a conference hosted by SAPEA on new approaches to science for policy in Europe. Some of the main points discussed included:
- Collaboration within and across sectors is essential for success in addressing challenges.
- Social sciences and humanities play a vital role in policy advice.
- Scientists must engage with the public, not just inform them.
- International issues require an interdisciplinary approach.
- Citizens' concerns must be understood by scientists and policymakers.
- Creating inclusive communities for shared learning and dialogue is important.
This document summarizes an article about podcasting for language learning. It begins by defining podcasting and discussing how the popularity of portable media players and iTunes has increased access to podcast resources. It then reviews current practices in podcasting, including the types of content available. It classifies podcast resources for language learning into two main groups: authentic content from native speakers, and language courses/teaching content specifically designed for language learning. The latter are further divided into stand-alone courses and supporting materials for classroom teaching or independent learners. The document discusses some examples of how institutions have utilized podcasting for language instruction.
This document provides an introduction and overview of public engagement. It defines public engagement as involving different communication approaches including transmitting information to the public, receiving input from the public, and collaborating with the public. It discusses who the public includes and the purposes of public engagement. Recommended resources on public engagement are also provided.
This issue of the Genetics Society News features the following:
- An award was given and meetings are announced.
- The editor welcomes readers to the issue and provides information on submitting items for future issues.
- An overview of the contents includes reports on medals, meetings, students, and travel as well as features on communicating science and the 20th anniversary of Dolly the sheep.
The guide has brought together researchers working in some of the most significant, cutting edge fields. They told us that if policy makers and the public are discouraged by the existence of uncertainty, we miss out on important discussions about the development of new drugs, taking action to mitigate the impact of natural hazards, how to respond to the changing climate and to pandemic threats.
The guide discusses:
- The way scientists use uncertainty to express how confident they are about results.
- That uncertainty can be abused to undermine evidence or to suggest anything could be true: from alternative cancer treatments to anthropogenic CO2 not changing the atmosphere.
- Why uncertainty is not a barrier to taking action – decision makers usually look for a higher level of certainty for an operational decision (such as introducing body scanners in airports) than for a decision based on broader ideology or politics (such as reducing crime rates).
EUROSCIENCE is a European association that promotes science and technology. It has regional sections across Europe and organizes the biennial Euroscience Open Forums (ESOFs) to strengthen links between science and society. ESOFs aim to create an integrated European space for science and technology debate and discussion to influence science and technology policies. International collaborations in science are growing as countries invest more in innovation and research related to health and quality of life. Science is becoming more global and collaborative with international teams and shared resources working on issues like genomics and climate change. To fully realize science's potential, the global scientific community will need to develop common standards and harmonize policies across borders.
This presentation was given at the Library Research Forum at La Trobe University, Melbourne, on 25 October 2013. Issues covered include what is green open access, what is gold open access, the scene in the UK, Europe, US and Australia. What are funding bodies doing to encourage open access? What is La Trobe University doing?
This document summarizes a presentation about open access policies on the national level. It discusses how organizations like EIFL advocate for open access policies from research funders, universities, and governments. It provides examples of funder mandates from organizations like Wellcome Trust and NIH. The document also discusses whether policies should mandate or just encourage open access, whether they should require deposit in repositories, journals, or both, and what materials should be deposited. It highlights open access progress in Africa through organizations and repositories.
Justify Your Conclusions
Hiv Aids Conclusions
Essay on Hypothesis and Conclusion
Sampling Methods Essay
Conclusion Of Solar Energy
Titanium Essay
Research Methods Essay
Dental Hygienist Conclusion
Conclusion Of Globalization
Climate change communication – success or failure?bis_foresight
Presentation by Sir Mark Walport on climate change communication at the Walker Institute Annual Lecture on 5 June 2014.
Watch the video of the lecture: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1hwzO_HmcA
#walkerlecture
The document discusses open science and its key aspects. It notes there is widespread agreement that open science affects all stages of the research process through a global, systemic shift involving varied local implementations. It also discusses challenges and opportunities of open science, including the need for: training and skills development; addressing diversity in research cultures; resolving intellectual property issues; and overcoming biases towards well-resourced research. Overall, the document argues open science provides tools for improved research governance if supported through appropriate incentives, infrastructures and monitoring.
How can citizen science achieve for neuroscience what it's achieved for nature?Erinma Ochu
This document defines and discusses different approaches to citizen science including citizen science, co-design, crowdsourced science, and DIY bio. It provides examples of current citizen science projects like EyeWire and The Great Brain Experiment. The document also covers benefits and impacts of citizen science, factors in its current growth, challenges, and examples of individuals and organizations conducting citizen science work.
The document provides an overview of the Research Data Alliance (RDA). Some key points:
- RDA builds social and technical bridges to enable open sharing of data across technologies, disciplines, and countries. It has over 3,700 members from 110 countries.
- RDA has 65+ working and interest groups that create standards, best practices, and other resources in 12-18 months to accelerate data sharing. This includes work on data citation principles, agriculture data, and more.
- RDA plays a role in connecting data initiatives at multiple scales from local to global. National groups support local participation in RDA to amplify effects for both national and international communities.
OpenAIRE webinar "From Open Science to Inclusive Science" with Paola MasuzzoOpenAIRE
A lot is happening in the Open Science world, as everybody realizes more and more the importance of open, transparent and participatory research practices. However, we tend to forget, in the ongoing conversations, what Open Science means to different audiences, coming from diverse or even underrepresented backgrounds.
In this webinar, I talk about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Inclusiveness.
I make the case that research excellence, as we know it, hampers the real achievement of these values, which are non-negotiable and must be built into the foundation of what we are all trying to achieve in the ongoing efforts of democratizing knowledge.
Webinar for the #OAWeek 2019 OpenAIRE series.
More details at https://www.openaire.eu/item/from-open-science-to-inclusive-science
Catherine Tiplady is exploring how veterinarians can help protect animals from domestic violence as part of her PhD research. Her work examines the link between domestic violence and animal abuse, and how both people and pets are affected by violence in the home. Through her research, she hopes to create protocols for veterinarians to recognize signs of trauma in pets and treat animals that have experienced abuse or neglect. Catherine credits her veterinary and social sciences background from UQ with allowing her to conduct this unique research combining both fields.
GenSET consensus report recommendations for action on the gender dimension in...Elsevier
The document summarizes the key outcomes of three consensus seminars organized by the genSET project between March and June 2010. The seminars brought together 14 European science leaders and gender experts to discuss how to promote gender equality and incorporate gender perspectives in science. The science leaders reached a consensus on recommending actions in four areas: 1) making science knowledge, 2) developing human capital, 3) improving practices and processes, and 4) strengthening regulation and compliance. The recommendations aim to increase equality and treatment for women and men in science recruitment, assessment and research. The science leaders have extensive collective experience that can help implement gender action plans across European research institutions.
This document discusses public participation in scientific research (PPSR), which aims to establish dialogue between scientists and various target groups to resolve misconceptions and achieve mutual benefit. It outlines three models of PPSR - contributory, co-created, and collaborative - which differ in the level of involvement of public participants in the scientific process, from primarily contributing data to jointly designing and conducting the research. The document also suggests that future PPSR projects could study new scientific questions, engage new audiences, or test improved PPSR models.
On community-standards, data curation and scholarly communication" Stanford M...Susanna-Assunta Sansone
This document discusses content standards for better describing scientific data. It notes that while some common features exist across domains, descriptions of experimental context are often inconsistent or duplicated. The author advocates for community-developed content standards to structure, enrich and report dataset descriptions and their experimental context to facilitate discovery, sharing, understanding and reuse of data. Standards should include minimum reporting requirements, controlled vocabularies and conceptual models to allow data to flow between systems. This will help enable better science from better described data.
What is the future of scientific communication? Open Science (Claude Pirmez)http://bvsalud.org/
Apresentação da Profª Drª Claude Pirmez na Reunião de Editores Científicos do CRICS10, em 04/12/2018
http://crics10.org/eventos/pt/event/reuniao-de-editores-cientificos/
Open Access: be seen, be read, be cited, have impact!Ina Smith
This document discusses open access and the benefits it provides from the perspectives of two South African universities, Stellenbosch University and University of Johannesburg. It provides an overview of open access, including definitions, goals of open access repositories, and how open access increases research visibility, citations, impact and access. Usage statistics are presented showing high download and readership numbers for articles, theses and other materials available through the universities' open access repositories, highlighting the visibility and impact open access provides.
This document outlines a variety of methods that can be used to scope issues broadly, focus on particularities in depth, and link relations and perspectives across contexts. It provides a repertoire of methods that can help appreciate alternative pathways, including interpretive, interactive, and group deliberative styles as well as techniques like critical literature reviews, in-depth case studies, discourse analysis, and participatory approaches.
This document provides an introduction and overview of public engagement. It defines public engagement as involving different communication approaches including transmitting information to the public, receiving input from the public, and collaborating with the public. It discusses who the public includes and the purposes of public engagement. Recommended resources on public engagement are also provided.
This issue of the Genetics Society News features the following:
- An award was given and meetings are announced.
- The editor welcomes readers to the issue and provides information on submitting items for future issues.
- An overview of the contents includes reports on medals, meetings, students, and travel as well as features on communicating science and the 20th anniversary of Dolly the sheep.
The guide has brought together researchers working in some of the most significant, cutting edge fields. They told us that if policy makers and the public are discouraged by the existence of uncertainty, we miss out on important discussions about the development of new drugs, taking action to mitigate the impact of natural hazards, how to respond to the changing climate and to pandemic threats.
The guide discusses:
- The way scientists use uncertainty to express how confident they are about results.
- That uncertainty can be abused to undermine evidence or to suggest anything could be true: from alternative cancer treatments to anthropogenic CO2 not changing the atmosphere.
- Why uncertainty is not a barrier to taking action – decision makers usually look for a higher level of certainty for an operational decision (such as introducing body scanners in airports) than for a decision based on broader ideology or politics (such as reducing crime rates).
EUROSCIENCE is a European association that promotes science and technology. It has regional sections across Europe and organizes the biennial Euroscience Open Forums (ESOFs) to strengthen links between science and society. ESOFs aim to create an integrated European space for science and technology debate and discussion to influence science and technology policies. International collaborations in science are growing as countries invest more in innovation and research related to health and quality of life. Science is becoming more global and collaborative with international teams and shared resources working on issues like genomics and climate change. To fully realize science's potential, the global scientific community will need to develop common standards and harmonize policies across borders.
This presentation was given at the Library Research Forum at La Trobe University, Melbourne, on 25 October 2013. Issues covered include what is green open access, what is gold open access, the scene in the UK, Europe, US and Australia. What are funding bodies doing to encourage open access? What is La Trobe University doing?
This document summarizes a presentation about open access policies on the national level. It discusses how organizations like EIFL advocate for open access policies from research funders, universities, and governments. It provides examples of funder mandates from organizations like Wellcome Trust and NIH. The document also discusses whether policies should mandate or just encourage open access, whether they should require deposit in repositories, journals, or both, and what materials should be deposited. It highlights open access progress in Africa through organizations and repositories.
Justify Your Conclusions
Hiv Aids Conclusions
Essay on Hypothesis and Conclusion
Sampling Methods Essay
Conclusion Of Solar Energy
Titanium Essay
Research Methods Essay
Dental Hygienist Conclusion
Conclusion Of Globalization
Climate change communication – success or failure?bis_foresight
Presentation by Sir Mark Walport on climate change communication at the Walker Institute Annual Lecture on 5 June 2014.
Watch the video of the lecture: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1hwzO_HmcA
#walkerlecture
The document discusses open science and its key aspects. It notes there is widespread agreement that open science affects all stages of the research process through a global, systemic shift involving varied local implementations. It also discusses challenges and opportunities of open science, including the need for: training and skills development; addressing diversity in research cultures; resolving intellectual property issues; and overcoming biases towards well-resourced research. Overall, the document argues open science provides tools for improved research governance if supported through appropriate incentives, infrastructures and monitoring.
How can citizen science achieve for neuroscience what it's achieved for nature?Erinma Ochu
This document defines and discusses different approaches to citizen science including citizen science, co-design, crowdsourced science, and DIY bio. It provides examples of current citizen science projects like EyeWire and The Great Brain Experiment. The document also covers benefits and impacts of citizen science, factors in its current growth, challenges, and examples of individuals and organizations conducting citizen science work.
The document provides an overview of the Research Data Alliance (RDA). Some key points:
- RDA builds social and technical bridges to enable open sharing of data across technologies, disciplines, and countries. It has over 3,700 members from 110 countries.
- RDA has 65+ working and interest groups that create standards, best practices, and other resources in 12-18 months to accelerate data sharing. This includes work on data citation principles, agriculture data, and more.
- RDA plays a role in connecting data initiatives at multiple scales from local to global. National groups support local participation in RDA to amplify effects for both national and international communities.
OpenAIRE webinar "From Open Science to Inclusive Science" with Paola MasuzzoOpenAIRE
A lot is happening in the Open Science world, as everybody realizes more and more the importance of open, transparent and participatory research practices. However, we tend to forget, in the ongoing conversations, what Open Science means to different audiences, coming from diverse or even underrepresented backgrounds.
In this webinar, I talk about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Inclusiveness.
I make the case that research excellence, as we know it, hampers the real achievement of these values, which are non-negotiable and must be built into the foundation of what we are all trying to achieve in the ongoing efforts of democratizing knowledge.
Webinar for the #OAWeek 2019 OpenAIRE series.
More details at https://www.openaire.eu/item/from-open-science-to-inclusive-science
Catherine Tiplady is exploring how veterinarians can help protect animals from domestic violence as part of her PhD research. Her work examines the link between domestic violence and animal abuse, and how both people and pets are affected by violence in the home. Through her research, she hopes to create protocols for veterinarians to recognize signs of trauma in pets and treat animals that have experienced abuse or neglect. Catherine credits her veterinary and social sciences background from UQ with allowing her to conduct this unique research combining both fields.
GenSET consensus report recommendations for action on the gender dimension in...Elsevier
The document summarizes the key outcomes of three consensus seminars organized by the genSET project between March and June 2010. The seminars brought together 14 European science leaders and gender experts to discuss how to promote gender equality and incorporate gender perspectives in science. The science leaders reached a consensus on recommending actions in four areas: 1) making science knowledge, 2) developing human capital, 3) improving practices and processes, and 4) strengthening regulation and compliance. The recommendations aim to increase equality and treatment for women and men in science recruitment, assessment and research. The science leaders have extensive collective experience that can help implement gender action plans across European research institutions.
This document discusses public participation in scientific research (PPSR), which aims to establish dialogue between scientists and various target groups to resolve misconceptions and achieve mutual benefit. It outlines three models of PPSR - contributory, co-created, and collaborative - which differ in the level of involvement of public participants in the scientific process, from primarily contributing data to jointly designing and conducting the research. The document also suggests that future PPSR projects could study new scientific questions, engage new audiences, or test improved PPSR models.
On community-standards, data curation and scholarly communication" Stanford M...Susanna-Assunta Sansone
This document discusses content standards for better describing scientific data. It notes that while some common features exist across domains, descriptions of experimental context are often inconsistent or duplicated. The author advocates for community-developed content standards to structure, enrich and report dataset descriptions and their experimental context to facilitate discovery, sharing, understanding and reuse of data. Standards should include minimum reporting requirements, controlled vocabularies and conceptual models to allow data to flow between systems. This will help enable better science from better described data.
What is the future of scientific communication? Open Science (Claude Pirmez)http://bvsalud.org/
Apresentação da Profª Drª Claude Pirmez na Reunião de Editores Científicos do CRICS10, em 04/12/2018
http://crics10.org/eventos/pt/event/reuniao-de-editores-cientificos/
Open Access: be seen, be read, be cited, have impact!Ina Smith
This document discusses open access and the benefits it provides from the perspectives of two South African universities, Stellenbosch University and University of Johannesburg. It provides an overview of open access, including definitions, goals of open access repositories, and how open access increases research visibility, citations, impact and access. Usage statistics are presented showing high download and readership numbers for articles, theses and other materials available through the universities' open access repositories, highlighting the visibility and impact open access provides.
Similar to Prof Anne Glover: What is the right balance between respecting evidence and living in the real world? (20)
This document outlines a variety of methods that can be used to scope issues broadly, focus on particularities in depth, and link relations and perspectives across contexts. It provides a repertoire of methods that can help appreciate alternative pathways, including interpretive, interactive, and group deliberative styles as well as techniques like critical literature reviews, in-depth case studies, discourse analysis, and participatory approaches.
Coloniality in Transformation: decolonising methods for activist scholarship ...STEPS Centre
Presentation by Andy Stirling to 2021 Transformations to Sustainability conference session on '‘Philosophical Underpinnings’ in decolonizing research methods for transformation towards sustainability', 17th June 2021
Opening up the politics of justification in maths for policy: power and uncer...STEPS Centre
Presentation by Andy Stirling to conference of INET in collaboration with OECD on ‘Forecasting the Future for Sustainable Development: approaches to modelling and the science of prediction’. 16th June 2021
Discussion: The Future of the World is Mobile - Giorgia GiovannettiSTEPS Centre
By Giorgia Giovannetti, University of Firenze and Robert Schuman Centre, EUI. Given at EUI on 10 April 2019.
https://steps-centre.org/event/the-future-of-the-world-is-mobile-what-can-we-learn-from-pastoralists/
Interfacing pastoral movements and modern mobilitiesSTEPS Centre
By Michele Nori, PASTRES (Pastoralism, Uncertainty, Resilience) project. Given at EUI on 10 April 2019.
https://steps-centre.org/event/the-future-of-the-world-is-mobile-what-can-we-learn-from-pastoralists/
Reconceiving migration through the study of pastoral mobilitySTEPS Centre
By Natasha Maru, PASTRES (Pastoralism, Uncertainty, Resilience) project. Given at EUI on 10 April 2019.
https://steps-centre.org/event/the-future-of-the-world-is-mobile-what-can-we-learn-from-pastoralists/
Bringing moral economy into the study of land deals: reflections from MadagascarSTEPS Centre
19 March 2019, Institute of Development Studies
Seminar organised by the Resource Politics and Rural Futures Clusters, in association with the STEPS Centre’s PASTRES project
Speaker: Mathilde Gingembre
https://steps-centre.org/event/steps-seminar-mathilde-gingembre-bringing-moral-economy-into-the-study-of-land-deals-reflections-from-madagascar/
Agency and social-ecological system (SES) pathways: the Transformation Lab in...STEPS Centre
Presentation by J. Mario Siqueiros, February 2019, at a STEPS Seminar at the Institute of Development Studies.
More information: https://steps-centre.org/project/pathways-network/
From controlled transition to caring transformations - StirlingSTEPS Centre
This document discusses the differences between "controlling transitions" and "caring transformations" when addressing issues like climate change. It argues that ideas of control are part of the problem and that controlled transition does not equal real transformation. Caring for transformation instead of control could mean culturing transformation through myriad grassroots actions that challenge power and are driven by solidarity, values and hope rather than singular theories and top-down control. True transformation is shaped by unruly diversity rather than imposed order and expertise.
Systems, change and growth - Huff and BrockSTEPS Centre
Presentation from week 1 of the System Change HIVE that outlines big ideas about the environment and some criticisms of capitalism.
http://systemchangehive.org/
STEPS Annual Lecture 2017: Achim Steiner - Doomed to fail or bound to succeed...STEPS Centre
Achim Steiner, incoming UNDP director, gave the STEPS Annual lecture at the University of Sussex on 15 May 2017. Find out more: https://steps-centre.org/event/steps-annual-lecture-achim-steiner/
Andy Stirling - nexus methods (RGS 2016)STEPS Centre
This document discusses the concept of "nexus thinking" across multiple domains and topics. It makes several key points:
1) Nexus thinking spans across different silos and considers connections between domains like food, water, energy, climate, and development.
2) Framing of nexus issues applies at every level and transcends place, space, and scale. Different framings lead to different understandings and potential solutions.
3) Nexus thinking recognizes the entanglement of objective conditions and subjective actors, and highlights the role of power and politics in knowledge production.
Andy Stirling - STEPS Centre 'Pathways Methods'STEPS Centre
The document outlines the STEPS Centre 'Pathways Methods' for helping appreciate alternative pathways. It summarizes the methods as follows:
1. The methods aim to catalyze more open political space by broadening out discussions beyond incumbent 'pro-innovation' views and opening up consideration of marginalized interests and alternative pathways.
2. The methodology involves engaging actors, exploring narratives, characterizing dynamics, and revealing strategies through a repertoire of participatory and deliberative methods.
3. A case study applying these methods in Kenya found surprising optimism for alternative crops but farmer preference for local maize varieties, showing how the methods can surface plural perspectives on pathways.
This document provides an overview of a presentation given by Andy Stirling on 'Nexus Methods' at the ESRC Methods Festival. It discusses the complex and interconnected nature of issues related to the food-water-energy nexus. It notes that while there are many quantitative and qualitative methods that can be applied to nexus issues, they all involve subjective framings and no single method can capture the full complexity. The presentation advocates a reflexive approach that acknowledges the conditional nature of knowledge and assessment in this domain.
Suresh Rohilla - Climate change and sanitation, water resourcesSTEPS Centre
Workshop on climate change and uncertainty from below and above, Delhi. http://steps-centre.org/2016/blog/climate-change-and-uncertainty-from-above-and-below/
Suraje Dessai - Uncertainty from above and encounters in the middleSTEPS Centre
Workshop on climate change and uncertainty from below and above, Delhi. http://steps-centre.org/2016/blog/climate-change-and-uncertainty-from-above-and-below/
Sumetee Pahwa Gajjar - Uncertainty from withinSTEPS Centre
Workshop on climate change and uncertainty from below and above, Delhi. http://steps-centre.org/2016/blog/climate-change-and-uncertainty-from-above-and-below/
Shibaji Bose - Voices from below - a Photo Voice exploration in Indian sundar...STEPS Centre
Workshop on climate change and uncertainty from below and above, Delhi. http://steps-centre.org/2016/blog/climate-change-and-uncertainty-from-above-and-below/
Shibaji Bose - Voices from below - a Photo Voice exploration in Indian sundar...
Prof Anne Glover: What is the right balance between respecting evidence and living in the real world?
1. STEPS Centre Annual Symposium, University of Sussex, 6 Feb 2013
What is the right balance
between respecting evidence
and living in the real world?
Professor Anne Glover CBE
Chief Scientific Adviser
to the President of the European Commission
2. STEPS Centre Annual Symposium, University of Sussex, 6 Feb 2013
European leaders will discuss
tomorrow whether to spend
80 billion Euro for research
and innovation
3. STEPS Centre Annual Symposium, University of Sussex, 6 Feb 2013
Science and technology
are part of everybody’s life
4. STEPS Centre Annual Symposium, University of Sussex, 6 Feb 2013
We accept the
benefits – do we
accept the risks?
5. STEPS Centre Annual Symposium, University of Sussex, 6 Feb 2013
Risk perception and evidence
are two different things
Percentage of world
energy production
Estimated deaths
per Terawatt hour
Source: www.susannahertrich.com
6. STEPS Centre Annual Symposium, University of Sussex, 6 Feb 2013
Risk perception influences
public opinion and, hence,
behaviour of politicians
7. STEPS Centre Annual Symposium, University of Sussex, 6 Feb 2013
Societal perception of GMOs
Society A: GMOs are safe unless proven unsafe
Society B: GMOs are unsafe unless proven safe
Society C: GMOs are unsafe even if proven safe
Society D: GMOs are unsafe especially if proven safe
Society E: GMOs are safe even if proven unsafe
(taken from A. Golikov)
8. STEPS Centre Annual Symposium, University of Sussex, 6 Feb 2013
“GMO-free” municipalities in Flanders, Belgium
Source: Guy van den Eede
9. STEPS Centre Annual Symposium, University of Sussex, 6 Feb 2013
GMO approval
Member States voting on EFSA scientific opinion
Source: EuropaBio, Approvals of GMOs
in the European Union, Oct. 2011
10. STEPS Centre Annual Symposium, University of Sussex, 6 Feb 2013
Salient points of EU GMO policy
• A rigorous safety assessment by the
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
based on the best possible science
• Post-market monitoring
• Labelling of GMOs and derived food
and feed products at all stages (when
present above 0.9%)
• Traceability from the point of
production or import down to the table
and vice versa
• Co-existence between organic,
traditional and GM plant from the seed
throughout the production chain
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www.climatepedia.org
Do we trust
scientific evidence?
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Public support for
science is decreasing
Source: Eurobarometer, Special Edition 340 “Science and Technology” (2010)
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“Because of their knowledge, scientists have a power that makes them dangerous”
Source:
Eurobarometer,
Special Edition 340
“Science and
Technology” (2010)
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Scientific evidence
is sound and peer-
reviewed.
It evolves over time,
but it doesn’t change
from one government
to the next.
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So what’s the problem then?
• The world has become much more
complex (and, hence, confusing)
• The pace of technological change has
increased
• People believe that "unwanted" new
technologies can be somehow de-invented
• Lack of information about the benefits of new
technologies vis-à-vis the risks
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Why do we always discuss risk assessments -
Why not discuss reward assessments?
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As a society we need to
take risks to make progress
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If we don't take the risk, others will take it!
Source: European Commission
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Large Hadron Collider, Geneva
The risk: Spending billions of pounds
for a machine that smashes particles
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The reward:
an unplanned "collateral" invention
that has changed our lives
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Communication
is the key
• Scientists need to show
empathy for public concerns
• Scientists need to be honest
about the facts they have
and those they don't have
• Scientists need to
communicate much more
proactively – otherwise
lobby groups will fill the void
• Scientists need to speak a
language everybody
understands
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But you always need two to tango:
We also need politicians who…
• are open to listen to the
scientific evidence
• don’t cherry-pick just the
science that suits their
view of the world
• are transparent about their
motivation when – for
whatever good reason –
they choose to ignore the
evidence
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What can science do about it?
• Reduce uncertainty as far
as possible
• Communicate uncertainty
by using illustrative
examples
• Offer options for action
rather than claiming to
have the ultimate solution
• Flag where there is strong
consensus in the scientific
community, without
Old style of communicating ignoring minority opinions
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Scientific consensus is a powerful tool
Banning Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Banning Dichlorodiphenyl-
trichloroethane (DDT)
Banning Asbestos
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Example: Revision of the Biofuels Directive
in the light of scientific evidence
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The science-policy interface needs
translators who are respected
on both sides to advise on
what is consensus and what not
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Wouldn't it be nice
if each EU Member
State had a Chief
Scientific Adviser
or its equivalent?
Government Chief Scientific Advisers
in the EU / EU Member States
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It costs a lot of
efforts to generate
http://www.ediblegeography.com/glacial-terroir
scientific evidence.
We shouldn't waste it.
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Thank you for your attention!
E-mail: ec-csa@ec.europa.eu
Twitter: EU_ScienceChief