Enablers and Barriers at the Science-Policy Interface: Scientific Information Use in Coastal and Ocean Decision-Making

Understanding how scientific information is communicated and used at the science-policy interface is fundamental for strengthening decision-making processes for ongoing coastal and ocean problems. For over a decade, the... [ view full abstract ]

Understanding how scientific information is communicated and used at the science-policy interface is fundamental for strengthening decision-making processes for ongoing coastal and ocean problems. For over a decade, the interdisciplinary Environmental Information: Use and Influence research program at Dalhousie University has been conducting research with national, regional, and international governmental and non-governmental organizations. This poster describes major enablers and barriers that affect the update of scientific information in decision-making. Research on the use of state of the environment reports, technical assessments, and digital repositories; studies on communication in multi-sector networks; studies on decision-making processes within governmental and non-governmental organizations and in coastal communities identified the enablers and barriers. A suite of quantitative and qualitative methods (e.g., citation analysis; content and discourse analysis; interviews and surveys of researchers, decision makers and other stakeholders; observations of meetings at local, regional, and international levels; and network analysis) were used to build an understanding of the interactions at the science-policy interface. This research shows that multi-stakeholder partnerships involving government and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, industry, and the public facilitate the production of credible, relevant, and legitimate information for decision-making. The uptake of such “useable” information is often influenced by organizational processes, bridging roles of particular actors, and the formats of information products. Awareness remains a major barrier for effective communication and use of information in marine management. This understanding of the science-policy interface can guide individuals and groups to pursue appropriate roles in policy-making processes, thereby promoting good coastal and ocean governance.