ECCA session on real world experiences with participation

I’m happy to announce the following session below at the ECCA conference 12-14 May 2015 in Copenhagen is now open for submissions.

The ECCA conference intends to be a “platform for researchers, policy makers, and businesses to share new research results, novel policy developments, and practical implementation experiences regarding climate change impacts and adaptation, as well as highlight opportunities for business innovations aimed at supporting the transition to low carbon societies.”

You are very welcome to submit your reflections on and understandings of experiences with public participation in science-policy projects for climate change adaptation, to the session below.

Please feel free to forward this announcement to those who may be interested.

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ECCA Conference 12-14 May 2015 Copenhagen

Session Cluster: 7. Social science and participation 

Session Title: VI. Real world experiences with public participation in science-policy projects for climate change adaptation

Increasingly, scientists and policymakers are teaming up to study and address climate change adaptation. Moreover, members of the public and local stakeholders groups are increasingly considered as important participants in policymaking processes for climate change adaptation. In academic discussion about public participation in science-policy projects for climate change adaptation, some take up the role as advocates of public participation and actively aim to promote and organise public participation in such a project. While other researchers rather prefer to study and understand public participation in policymaking projects for climate change adaptation, from an observatory point of view.

However, in academic debate, not much is known or understood yet about actual experiences and challenges that may be encountered in dealing or aiming for public participation in science-policy projects for climate change adaptation. For example what if the ‘public’ is so heterogeneous it cannot be summarised as one group, includes groups which are in conflict with each other, or who are not interested in participating? Does it work under all circumstances? Are there settings in which public participation maybe more suitable than others in addressing climate change adaptation? Does public participation necessarily lead to better adaptation policy outcomes? What is the role of the scientist in this? What are the real world experiences with public participation in science-policy projects for climate change adaptation?

This session provides a platform to share experiences with and reflections on public participation in science-policy projects for climate change adaptation. These could be for example experiences that may be interesting to other projects; that may include lessons learned about how to deal with certain struggles; that may include sharing yet unresolved issues (which are relevant to be aware of when dealing with public participation in science-policy projects for climate change adaptation); and, reflections on the role of the scientist involved in this. We invite scientists, policymakers and practitioners to share their experiences with and reflections on public participation in science-policy projects for climate change adaptation.

Expected format and length

¼ day, aiming for 3-4 speakers of 15 minute presentations, brief moment for clarification after each talk, then at least 20-25 min plenary discussion after talks.

Expected outcome

Gain more knowledge and insight into real world experiences with public participation in science-policy projects for climate change adaptation.

Planning to involve?

We invite scientists, policymakers and practitioners to share their experiences on with public participation in science-policy projects for climate change adaptation.

How to submit?

Go to: http://www.ecca2015.eu/abstract-submission

Deadline for submissions is 1 February 2015

Questions about session?

Contact Roos den Uyl at: r.m.den-uyl@exeter.ac.uk