What every scientist should know about influencing policy
14 Feb 2017
Science provides evidence and evidence informs policy. But how exactly does the relationship work? One of Forest Research’s own scientists decided to find out and discovered three key lessons for scientists that can help improve their impact on policy.
Spatial scientist Chloe Bellamy had the rare opportunity to spend two days at Holyrood last December shadowing Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform. Chloe’s goal was to get a better understanding of the day-to-day work of a policymaker and to gain an insight into how scientific information is considered during the policy making process.
With access to all but the most sensitive of meetings, Chloe joined the Cabinet Secretary for a wide range of appointments, from consultations on the new Climate Change Plan, to prioritising resources across the breadth of policy issues falling within the Cabinet Secretary’s portfolio.
So, what did Chloe learn from this experience? She explains:
“I learnt so much. For example, it really highlighted to me the mismatch in science and policy timetables and the importance of being ready to respond quickly to policymakers’ calls for evidence with clear summaries of research findings. I came away with three key lessons on how scientists can improve their impact on policy:
Chloe gained this opportunity by applying for the Parliamentary shadowing scheme run by the British Ecological Society on an annual basis.
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New research recommends a joined-up European network to monitor forests.
Forest Research, alongside the University of York, Fera Science and The Tree Council, have developed a practical, new, robust resource to help local authorities effectively measure the social and cultural values of trees in their area.
New research to understand the existing provision of public access to woodlands in England, as well as opportunities for increasing access, has been published by Forest Research.
