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The Science–Policy Nexus in Collaborative Governance: Use of Science in Ecosystem Recovery Planning
Author(s) -
Koontz Tomas M.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
review of policy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.832
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1541-1338
pISSN - 1541-132X
DOI - 10.1111/ropr.12362
Subject(s) - nexus (standard) , collaborative governance , science policy , corporate governance , context (archaeology) , stakeholder engagement , conceptual framework , stakeholder , environmental governance , sociology , public relations , political science , environmental resource management , knowledge management , business , social science , public administration , computer science , economics , geography , archaeology , finance , embedded system
Across many social–ecological systems, policy makers and scholars increasingly call for science to inform policy. The science–policy interface becomes especially complex as collaborative approaches include multiple stakeholders working together across jurisdictions. Unfortunately little is known about how much and how science is used in collaborative governance for social–ecological systems. This exploratory study examines instrumental, conceptual, and symbolic use of science in a science‐rich collaborative planning case in the Puget Sound, USA. It also examines the influence of science, relative to other factors, in collaborative planning, and what factors affect it. Results from a survey and document analysis indicate the prevalence of conceptual use of science, with relatively little symbolic use. Some factors promoting conceptual and instrumental use discourage symbolic use. Overall, while science is seen as influential in this science‐rich context, its influence is balanced by local stakeholder preferences and contextual information.