Doctoral Dissertation Research Better Use of Science: A Study of Boundary Spanning Environmental Processes in Georgia

这个项目通过研究边界跨越过程来研究如何更好地将科学和环境政策联系起来，通过这个过程，科学信息可以被纳入决策。这些过程主要是通过组织来进行的，这些组织以一系列方式将科学家和决策者聚集在一起，以加强科学和政策的整合。本研究系统地调查了边界组织的过程和可能使或限制科学成功地纳入环境政策的因素，并将提供如何有效地连接科学和政策的理解。在一个环境问题持续存在的世界里，这项工作最终将为更好地理解将科学纳入环境政策的复杂性提供必要的工具。该项目深入研究了支持边界组织将科学纳入环境政策的因素。在深入研究过程中，也可能会发现无效的跨界过程。因此，为了揭示支持和限制将科学纳入环境政策的因素，本研究将仔细研究佐治亚州的三个水政策案例研究：(1)2008年佐治亚州全面的全州水政策，(2)2012年佐治亚州暂停地下水提取，以及(3)与河流缓冲带或河岸带相关的政策辩论。每个案例研究都涉及科学家、边界组织和政策制定者在制定和实施水政策过程中的参与。将进行个人和小组访谈，以分析科学是否以及如何融入每项水政策，以及哪些边界跨越过程影响了结果。对媒体报道和二手文件的分析将更充分地解释可能影响科学是否以及如何被纳入每个案例研究的因素。

This project investigates how to better bridge science and environmental policy by investigating boundary spanning processes, through which scientific information can be incorporated into policymaking. These processes are mainly conducted through organizations which bring together scientists and policymakers in a range of ways to enhance the integration of science and policy. This research systematically investigates the processes of boundary organizations and factors which may enable or constrain successful incorporation of science into environmental policy and will provide an understanding of how to effectively bridge science and policy. In a world where persistent environmental problems exist, this work will ultimately provide the necessary tools for a better understanding of the complexities associated with integrating science into environmental policy. This project provides an in-depth look into the factors which support boundary organizations in incorporating science into environmental policy. During this in-depth research, ineffective boundary spanning processes will also likely be found. Therefore, to uncover both the factors which support and limit the incorporation of science into environmental policy, this study will closely examine three water policy case studies in the state of Georgia: (1) the 2008 Georgia Comprehensive Statewide Water Policy, (2) the 2012 Georgia Moratorium on Groundwater Withdrawals, and (3) policy debates related to stream buffers or riparian zones. Each of these case studies involved the participation of scientists, boundary organizations, and policymakers during creation and implementation of water policy. Individual and group interviews will be conducted to analyze whether and how science was integrated into each water policy and what boundary spanning processes affected the outcome. An analysis of media accounts and secondary documents will more fully explain the factors which may have influenced whether and how science was integrated in each case study.