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Project Code [2012-SD-DS-4]

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Project title

Bridge: communicating across the environmental science-policy divide

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)

Lead Applicant

Anna Davies

Project Abstract

BRIDGE develops and tests novel mechanisms for enhanced communication between environmental scientists and policy makers that will deliver greater utilisation of appropriate science in policy making. Adopting a practice-oriented approach and drawing on the participatory backcasting mechanisms developed in the EPA funded CONSENSUS (consumption, environment and sustainability) project, this desk study will generate a set of ground rules for positive two-way communication between scientists and policy makers. These ground rules will form pre-requisite procedures that need to be embedded in environmental science-policy engagements and form the foundation for the suite of mechanisms developed in the BRIDGE tool-kit for communication. Finally, the project will bring together environmental scientists and policy makers in the field of water, climate change and biodiversity conservation to test and evaluate the effectiveness of both the ground rules and a selected mechanisms for enhanced engagement. The proposal will deliver one academic paper in an international peer reviewed journal and one paper in a policy magazine. The project will conduct two workshops with the aim of producing a communications toolkit,one exploratory the other focused on both implementation and dissemination. The toolkit, which will include both a protocol for positive communication and a suite of possible mechanisms for enhanced communication, will be disseminated via a dedicated project website which will provide details of all project outputs and also function as a portal for linking up scientists and policy makers in Ireland and internationally.

Grant Approved

�49,902.59

Research Hub

Sustainability

Research Theme

Socio-Economic Considerations

Start Date

07/01/2013

Initial Projected Completion Date

07/10/2013