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

该项目研究如何通过调查跨越边界的过程来更好地沟通科学和环境政策，通过这些过程可以将科学信息纳入政策制定。这些进程主要是通过各种组织进行的，这些组织以各种方式将科学家和政策制定者聚集在一起，以加强科学与政策的结合。这项研究系统地调查了边界组织的进程和可能促进或制约科学成功纳入环境政策的因素，并将提供对如何有效地将科学与政策联系起来的理解。在一个长期存在环境问题的世界里，这项工作最终将提供必要的工具，以便更好地理解将科学纳入环境政策的复杂性。该项目深入探讨了支持边界组织将科学纳入环境政策的因素。在这一深入研究中，还可能会发现无效的边界跨越过程。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：(1)2008年佐治亚州全州范围内的水政策，(2)2012年佐治亚州暂停抽取地下水，以及(3)与河流缓冲区或河岸带有关的政策辩论。每个案例研究都涉及科学家、边界组织和政策制定者在水政策的制定和执行过程中的参与。将进行个人和集体访谈，以分析是否以及如何将科学纳入每项水政策，以及哪些跨越边界的过程影响了结果。对媒体报道和二级文件的分析将更充分地解释可能影响是否以及如何将科学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.