Those of us who research and teach about sustainability issues are often interested in the potential social impact of our own work, in order to help address environmental challenges of the day. In particular, we imagine that we might, in an ideal world, influence governments to make better decisions. Of course, the policy process is very complex, and influencing it is not as simple as writing and sharing a new article, report, or brief. Rather, decision makers must manage many competing priorities, and their receptivity to new information depends on several factors, such as public mood and the state of their relationship with the information provider. This webinar first introduces the audience to theories of the policy process and research inputs, and then discusses a basic dichotomy of strategies for policy influence: influence from within (establishing a research-policy partnership) and influence from without (putting pressure on decision makers by advocating to the general public). Details include design principles for partnerships and potential communication tactics.

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Presenters

Garrett Richards, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Saskatchewan Garrett Ward Richards is a SSHRC postdoctoral fellow with the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan. He researches science-policy interfaces, knowledge mobilization, interdisciplinarity, and deliberative democracy, with a focus on environmental issues. His background includes a BSc in biology, a BA in political science, a MES in environmental studies, and an interdisciplinary PhD in political science and environmental studies.