Transcript Presentation - Steunpunt Milieu en Gezondheid

A social scientific approach
of environment & health
in policy practice
Hans Keune (University of Antwerp)
Reporter: Fred Woudenberg (Netherlands)
Synthesising Research results of
the Flemish Centre of Expertise for Environment and Health
Brussels, 15 December 2006
1
What do scientists of the Centre for
Environment & Health study?
…toxicologists study pollutants:
…medical experts study health
effects:
What do social scientists of the Centre for
Health & Environment (E&H) study?
2
Social actors in Environment & Health…
Minister
of envir.
Social
scientist
Minister
of health
Dep. of
health
Dep. of
envir.
Envir. org
Industr.
org
Ordinary
citizen
Medical
expert
Toxicologist
Group of local
people discussing
envir. & health
3
A social scientist in the Centre for
Environment & Health …
Typical
social
scientist
… having a lot of (research) questions
4
Who will a social scientist turn to…
…when feeling ill?
or
…in case of an environmental problem?
or
…when feeling down and out about work
in the Centre for Environment & Health?
Medical
expert
Toxicologist
Social
scientist
5
Who will a social scientist turn to…
Minister
of envir.
Minister
of health
Dep. of
health
Dep. of
envir.
…for discussing policy relevant scientific research on
environment & health?
Medical
expert
Toxicologist
Social
scientist
6
Division of professional labour
Different scientific disciplines:
medical, environmental, social science
Different responsibilities:
science & policy
Different perspectives, knowledge,
questions, expectations, agendas
7
Who will a social scientist turn to…
Minister
of envir.
Minister
of health
Dep. of
health
Dep. of
envir.
Medical
expert
Toxicologist
…for discussing the societal meaning of environment
& health data? In principle: all of them…
Social
scientist
Envir. org
Industr.
org
Ordinary
citizen
Group of local
people discussing
envir. & health
8
Two main research questions
• 1. What is the societal meaning of
knowledge on E&H? (knowledge
production & use)
• 2. How can social science best fit in with
other research in Centre E&H? (social
scientific approach)
9
1.a Knowledge in general
• System knowledge: nature of a problem
and complex constellation of relevant
parameters (empirical aspects)
• Target knowledge: diversity of problem
related visions, opinions, norms & values,
goals (normative aspects)
• Transformation knowledge: practical
solutions & opportunities (pragmatic
aspects)
10
1.b Knowledge on E&H
• What is socially relevant knowledge on
E&H? Who are relevant knowledge
providers?
• What is the societal meaning of knowledge
on E&H?
• What translation to practice is possible?
(e.g. policy practice)
11
1.c Object - process
• Social scientific reflex: too much an object
oriented approach; lack of attention for
process aspects
• Extra research question: how can socially
relevant knowledge be generated?
12
1.d Example: action plan
• What to do with the biomonitoring data?
• First reflex of science & policy (more object
oriented & expert focus): pile up more & more
scientific data, knowledge
• Social scientific reflex (more process oriented &
societal perspective):
– Whose knowledge and interpretation is relevant?
– Main criteria of interpretation? (+ policy & society)
– Decision making procedure + communication
• Cooperative Result: process of knowledge
collection-interpret.-prioritization-pract.
translation; involving experts, policymakers &
society; desk research, expert round, jury
13
2. Social scientific approach
• 2.a Social scientific methods..
• 2.b Social scientific reflection..
• 2.c Exemplary action research..
14
2.a Social scientific methods..
• Multi method/mixed methods/triangulation:
one central research question (focus
groups, juries, Delphi round, risk
perception, risk communication)
• Other actors (want to) use these methods
more and more (e.g. participation)
• Social scientific research on process of
knowledge production-interpretation-use
15
2.b Social scientific reflection..
• Boundary work: debate, cooperation...
– Different scientific disciplines
– Science & policy
– Science & policy & society
• Example: interviews actors C of E&H:
– Scientists & policy representatives
– Some conclusions:
• Lack of time & attention for these specific aspects
• Traditional (disciplinary) org of science is a barrier
• Need for a societal perspective in the work
16
2.c Exemplary action research..
• Action (practice) oriented
• Cooperative: relevant perspectives
• Exemplary:
– Learning by doing;
– Try out of problem solving strategies with regard to
central issues (incl. experimental)
– Designed in cooperation
– Realistic (policy reflex!)
• Interactive: trust building, common vocabulary,
influence of power relations, openness for other
perspectives (knowledge-opinions), validity via
negotiation & cooperation
17
3. Lessons from practice
• No laboratory work:
– From ‘the 10 commandments’ to a stubborn
practise: unforeseen complexities
– Humans talk back, molecules don’t
• Not just a matter of transferring social
scientific knowledge & methods:
– Need for constant cooperation and reflection;
no cookery book (e.g. ToVo)
• Perspectives ‘sitting at the table’ resonate
in the outcomes and communication
• Lack of time & attention for reflection
18
4. Conclusion
• Emancipation of social science: from perceived
as communicators to communication advice &
research to partners in research & policymaking
– Communicators: when the job is finished (research +
interpretation) ‘the people of the communication’ have
to translate it to society
– Communication advice & research: modern risk
communication & reflection
– Partners in research & policymaking: complementary
expertise, perspectives & reflection; e.g. action-plan
• Complex but interesting and fruitful work
19