Dr Laura Fogg Rogers Laura.Foggrogers@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor of Knowledge Exchange in Engineering
Sophie Laggan
Dr Margarida Sardo Margarida.Sardo@uwe.ac.uk
Senior Research Fellow in Science Communication
Abstract
In environmental psychology, a disconnection from nature is often studied but a disconnection from one another is less commonly discussed. Through a similar process of industrial growth, researchers and policymakers have been distanced from fellow human beings who are concerned about the environment but lack the knowhow what to do about it. Efforts are being made to bridge these gaps (e.g., citizen science, citizens assemblies) but if natural science projects are designed without steering from people experienced in communications, relationship building and systems-thinking, then power imbalances and divisive rhetoric may remain. This study explored two transdisciplinary international research projects, questioning team members including natural scientists and policymakers about the impact public engagement (PE) training had on their attitudes about the public’s role within environmental governance processes. The PE training was designed to scaffold learning, offering theory, social support and feedback through experiential learning and reflection. A total of 20 scientists and policymakers were interviewed, with little to no PE experience, from a combined consortium of 68 members. Six additional interviews were held with socially engaged researchers/public engagement professionals (practitioners) on the team. Interviews were compared using inductive thematic analysis thematically alongside content analysis to compare precedence of certain themes. Interview data evidenced improvements in scientists’ and policymakers’ perceived PE competence and shifting perceptions for how they think about, communicate with, and relate to the public. Practitioners also learnt more about audience segmentation, policy-making and environmental issues – indicating that all participants learnt from each other.
