The Australian House of Representatives at the Australian Parliament

Public policy and science advice

Investigating communication between decision makers, scientist and experts.

About

Science is integral to societal decision making, but the communication between the producers of knowledge and governmental decision making is not always smooth.

This research theme focuses on the nature of the communication between these two very different entities, including their different requirements, expectations, cultures and institutions. CPAS researchers are also regularly consulted by government institutions seeking external advice or research.

Our research investigates:

How do governments use scientific research?
How is scientific evidence used in political rhetoric?
What is the influence of government policy on science?
What happens when the goals of science and government clash?
How do scientists and policymakers communicate?
How can science communication benefit government activities and communication efforts?
How can science communication tools be used to evaluate government communication activities?

Photo from Wikimedia Commons.

Projects

A history of satellite-based remote sensing in Australia 1971-1989

This research describes the early history of satellite-based remote sensing in Australia.

People

Catherine Rayner

An evaluation of the regulation of preimplantation genetic diagnosis in Australia

This project examined the Australian policy framework regulating preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and discussed the gaps and ambiguities present in the regulatory framework in the mid-2000s.

People

Boundary-spanning the knowledge and policy networks of sustainability transition: insights from the diffusion of accounting innovations

The intent in this project is to contribute to the emerging field of sustainability communication by asking ‘Who says what, in which channel, to whom, with what effect?‘ (Lasswell 1948) within this three-networks model of transition.

People

Dick Osborn

Co-constructing roles: Science and courts in the Philippine GM Eggplant Litigation

The project will surface congruences and incongruences in role constructions, and how scientists and judges navigate differences in their expected and actual tasks in legal proceedings.

People

Dr Will Grant
Professor Joan Leach

Frameworks for evaluating public engagement with science

This project addresses the issue of how to evaluate the processes by which decision-makers engage with science.

People

Ruth O'Connor

Global approaches to local issues: UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere programme - a multilateral instrument for natural resource management

This project is examining the relationship between the global objectives of a United Nations protected area and research network programme and the perception of the programme among scientists, local communities and authorities at its participating sites.