In its most linear form, the science-policy interface exists as a “two-world” model where data and facts are generated by researchers to be taken up and used by decision makers as instruments to aid in finding an optimal policy solution (Adelle et al., 2019; Hoppe, 2005). However, the reality of the science-policy interface is often […]
Information Production and Selection in Development of Effective Policies
In evidence-based decision making, policy creation does not simply mean developing policies that implement recommendations from research. The policy makers must think carefully about the information that they use and whose interests the different policies serve. Some studies may be biased since they favour some interest groups above others. As a result, policies based on […]
Science in Environmental Decision-Making: EIUI at the 2020 US National Council for Science and the Environment Conference
It is not a common occurrence to stand up and chant positive affirmations at an international scientific conference in the hope of addressing today’s climate change crisis. However, this tactic happened multiple times over the course of the National Council on Science and the Environment (NCSE) 2020 conference held in Washington, D.C., 6-9 January 2020. […]
Challenges and Opportunities for Resilience to Climate Change: Highlights from the Gulf of Maine 2050 International Symposium
Climate change—its effects and steps to adapt to change—was the dominant subject at the Gulf of Maine International Symposium held in Portland, Maine on 4-8 November 2019. Organized by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, The Maine Coastal Program (State of Maine), the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, and the Huntsman Marine […]
“One Ocean, Infinite Connections”: The 2019 Sustainable Oceans Conference
“You have a voice, use your voice to protect the ocean.” This statement was a key message from the opening panel of the annual Sustainable Oceans Conference. Organized by students in the Master of Marine Management program at Dalhousie University, the 2019 conference on 27-28 September featured oral presentations, posters, a public panel, and a […]
Global Access to Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Information: New EIUI Study about the Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts
Without any doubt, the oceans, which cover 71% of the globe, are vitally important, environmentally, economically, socially, and culturally. Unfortunately, many indicators emphasize that the health of the oceans is in very serious jeopardy today. To address this pressing global issue, researchers, managers, and decision-makers need access to current, accurate, and reliable information. Evidence-based policies […]
Public Engagement in Environmental Assessments: Recent Conference Paper by EIUI Team Member
At the 42nd AMOP technical seminar on environmental contamination and response, hosted by Environment and Climate Change Canada in Halifax, on 4-6 June 2019, Ian Stewart presented a paper in the session on “Social Aspects Oil Spill Response Planning.” The first AMOP technical seminar, held in Edmonton in 1978, launched the former Arctic and Marine […]
Environmental Expertise: Connecting Science, Policy, and Society: A Book Review
How can environmental information be used to enhance understanding between science, policy, and society, while simultaneously avoiding the urge to reduce that information to its lowest common denominator? Furthermore, how can knowledge transfer be facilitated across institutional and personal boundaries, while still keeping the knowledge intact and usable? These questions, along with a host of […]
“Environmental Research and Knowledge Production within Governmental Organizations”: a New Book Chapter by EIUI Authors
Research occupies centre-stage in evidence-based (or evidence-informed) decision-making. Depending on the issue, the agendas of decision makers, and other contextual factors, evidence may be drawn from a variety of sources to use in decisions. Because universities and colleges world-wide are major generators of research knowledge today, the output of academics can overshadow research conducted in […]
EIUI at the 2018 Bay of Fundy Science Workshop – Proceedings Now Available
The Bay of Fundy, and the larger Gulf of Maine, is one of the most diverse ecological ocean and coastal areas globally and home to the world’s highest tides. The Bay of Fundy was the Canadian finalist in the worldwide New7Wonders of Nature contest (2007-2011). Since 1996, the Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership (BoFEP) has […]