Challenges of linking scientific knowledge to river basin management policy: AquaTerra as a case study.
The EU Project AquaTerra generates knowledge about the river-soil-sediment-groundwater system and delivers scientific information of value for river basin management. In this article, the use and ignorance of scientific knowledge in decision making is explored by a theoretical review. We elaborate on the 'two-communities theory', which explains the problems of the policy-science interface by relating and comparing the different cultures, contexts, and languages of researchers and policy makers. Within AquaTerra, the EUPOL subproject examines the policy-science interface with the aim of achieving a good connection between the scientific output of the project and EU policies. We have found two major barriers, namely language and resources, as well as two types of relevant relationships: those between different research communities and those between researchers and policy makers.
Slob
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TNO Innovation and Environment, PO Box 49, 2600 AA Delft, Netherlands. adriaan.slob@tno.nl
Rijnveld
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Chapman
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Strosser
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D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D011050:Policy Making; D011640:Public Policy; D012106:Research; D045483:Rivers; D012586:Science