Government Scientists Research Articles

Understanding the science-policy interface: Case studies on the role of information in fisheries management

Case studies of the Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) highlighted factors influencing scientific communication that are contingent on the characteristics of the many dynamic and iterative science-policy interfaces among decision-makers, scientists, and other stakeholders. Direct observations of 15 scientific and management meetings coupled with interviews with 78 scientists and managers revealed aspects of the information pathways, i.e., production, communication, and use of scientific information in these organizations. Unique features of decision-making and information use enable the production of credible, relevant, and legitimate information in each organization, including trade-offs in these attributes to support fisheries governance objectives. For instance, defined processes for producing scientific advice embedded in fisheries management authorities, such as DFO and NAFO, ensure uptake of information in decision-making. As a boundary organization, FAO bridges science and policy-making groups among its member countries. The demand for scientific advice, policy development, and trade aspects are primary drivers in the information pathways. However, organizational aspects such as dispersed units and inadequate communication persist as barriers to information flow. Across the geographic scales of the three organizations, stakeholders apart from government scientists and policy-makers, e.g., the fishing industry, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the public, are increasingly involved in the information pathways. Insights about the information pathways can equip the organizations to evaluate or modify practices to increase the uptake of information in decision-making as fisheries management issues and considerations become more complex.

Climate change and the African livestock sector

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate and review adaptation measures in the livestock sector from 21 African countries through literature survey and grounded theory approaches. The adaptation themes that emerged captured essence of measures and experience drawn from varied country submissions and contexts instituted to make the livestock sector climate compatible in as far as adaptation is concerned.Design/methodology/approachLiterature survey approach was used on the impacts of climate change on livestock and a review of the submitted adaptation measures. The study used grounded theory approach to derive meaning from the retrieved information. The grounded theory was derived inductively through systematic collection and analysis of data pertaining to the submitted National Communications reports. The retrieved themes were then examined and interpreted to give meaning and draw conclusions through coding, conceptualizing, categorizing and theorizing.FindingsResults identify eight adaptation themes: carrying capacity and policies; integrated pasture management; capacity building, extension, training, awareness and information sharing; livestock breeding, diversification and intensification; disease, vectors and parasites management; technology, innovation, research and development; alternative livelihood; and water supply. The findings show that African Governments have been implementing effective adaptation measures for food security through building a climate resilient livestock production system.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to lead to recommendations that decision- and policymakers, private sectors, relevant stakeholders and government officials and scientists should play a key role in ensuring that adaptation measures reach farmers, herders at grassroots level. In addition, governments should create an enabling environment (policies) in climate change adaptation to improve food security. These recommendations might be helpful in many communities where adaptation to climate change is a pressing issue.

Listening strategies employed by non-English department students

Language learning strategy is one of the influential aspects for students’ success in learning a language. Basically, language learning strategies are closely related to students taking language-related department. However, students from non-English Department also have the indication of using the strategies since English is one of the subjects taught in the curriculum. Thus this study aims to (1) identify what strategies are used by non-English Department students in Listening class and (2) describes to how the use of strategies influence students listening achievement. This study is a qualitative descriptive study with second-semester students from Governmental Science Department as the research subject. A questionnaire, observation, and documentation are used to collect the data. After analyzing the data, it was found that some strategies are used by non-English department students in their Listening subject, namely memory strategies, cognitive strategies, compensation strategies, metacognitive strategies, affective strategies, and social strategies. Moreover, the students use those strategies in moderate level. Thus, a comparison between the level of strategies use and students’ listening scores is made to describe to what extends the use of strategies influence students’ achievements.

Jason Sean Ridler. Maestro of Science: Omond McKillop Solandt and Government Science in War and Hostile Peace, 1939–1956. xv + 350 pp., figs., tables, bibl., index. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2015. $55 (cloth).

Jason Sean Ridler. <i>Maestro of Science: Omond McKillop Solandt and Government Science in War and Hostile Peace, 1939–1956</i>. xv + 350 pp., figs., tables, bibl., index. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2015. $55 (cloth).

Michael Riordan; Lillian Hoddeson; Adrienne W. Kolb. Tunnel Visions: The Rise and Fall of the Superconducting Super Collider. xiii + 448 pp., illus., maps, bibl., index. Chicago/London: University of Chicago Press, 2015. $40 (cloth).

Michael Riordan; Lillian Hoddeson; Adrienne W. Kolb. <i>Tunnel Visions: The Rise and Fall of the Superconducting Super Collider</i>. xiii + 448 pp., illus., maps, bibl., index. Chicago/London: University of Chicago Press, 2015. $40 (cloth).

Ensuring scientific integrity in the Age of Trump.

Policies to protect government scientists must be defended

Investigating science for governance through the lenses of complexity

This paper assesses the contributions of complexity theory to post-normal science. The oversupply of facts in science for governance is explained as a matter of complexity, defined as irreducible pluralism in the knowledge base. The paper shows how complexity provides an interface to engage with the multiple facts of science through three different examples. First, water narratives are used to show how different scales of analysis produce contradictory scientific representations of the same system. Second, smart electricity grids are assessed to demonstrate how different levels of uncertainty are associated with different representations. Third, the case of slum upgrading is used to discuss the need to take into account stakes in science for governance.

Whistleblowing, the War on Science, and the Impending Trump Administration: Methods of Assault and Defense in an Accelerating Conflict

A “war on science” has been extensively described in academic literature and press reports, but the descriptions tend to be historical and journalistic narratives. Using examples drawn from available literature, we develop concise classification schemes to document methods of direct and indirect suppression of science in government and of methods of resistance and counter-attack. Recent anti-science policies in Canada and the U.S. and more recent reversals of these policies are compared to identify the role that political systems and political culture may play in implementing, encouraging, or impeding “war on science” policies and practices. The comparison allows speculation as to likely policies of the newly elected Trump administration in the U.S. based on Trump’s position statements and presidential appointments. Future pathways in the development of scientific resistance are also speculatively described.

第2回政府科学助言についての国際ネットワーク会合について

第2回政府科学助言についての国際ネットワーク会合について

Direito e Dever Constitucional Fundamental à Saúde e Responsabilidade Financeira e Criminal pelos Dinheiros Públicos:

A concretização do Direito Constitucional Fundamental Social à Saúde é fundamental. É necessário, adequado e proporcional, respeitar os princípios constitucionais da transparência e da responsividade às exigências da população, da prestação de contas e própria responsabilidade. Tudo isto também abarca o desenvolvimento de princípios constitucionais que sejam de anticorrupção. Também no direito constitucional à protecção da saúde. A responsabilidade financeira e criminal pode constituir um incentivo à melhoria da gestão dos dinheiros públicos e a uma melhor efectivação dos princípios constitucionais fundamentais. Nomeadamente no tema do direito à saúde. As áreas constitucional, administrativa, penal, de gestão pública e de ciência de administração e boa governança também no sector da saúde, devem ser articuladas numa só estratégia. Tanto em Portugal como no Brasil.

Canada's government scientists get antimuzzling clause in contract

Canada's government scientists get antimuzzling clause in contract

Institutional Foundations for Searching the Ways out of Modern Global Permanent Crisis

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the phenomenon of modern permanent crisis to develop and implement institutional foundations for overcoming this new type of crisis. Methods: Principal methods of the investigation are represented by economical and comparative analysis, methods of statistical analysis, dialectic method, method of economic analysis, method of deduction (general-to-specific), factor analysis, social and economic analysis, investment and macroeconomic analysis and also systemic and structural approach, concept of sustainable development that make it possible to consider the new global permanent crisis in most comprehensive manner. Findings: This study develops theoretical approaches that can serve as the foundations for searching the ways out of the modern global crisis. The definition has been given to the little known theory of turbulence. Global economic turbulence becomes the source of the high risks in different sectors of the economy: Financial, banking and real sector. The rules of organizing the “chaos” have been suggested. The way out of the spiral of crisis has been suggested based on the triple helix of institutional interactions between governmental authorities, businesses and science; however, there are actual opportunities for enhancing the number of the players by means of involving the progressive international organizations, interstate structures and unions. Crisis of Russian economy represents a component element of the permanent worldwide global crisis of 2007-2008, which has started subsiding by 2010 generating optimistic expectations and ideas. Applications/Improvements: The material represented in this study can be of practical value for economic scientists, academic teaching staff, post graduate students and economic professionals of any level.

The Interacting Mechanism of Government Science and Technology Supporting Mechanism on Strategic Emerging Industry Ecology Innovation

The Interacting Mechanism of Government Science and Technology Supporting Mechanism on Strategic Emerging Industry Ecology Innovation

Hail to the Chief Administrator

No single piece of evidence is likely to persuade opponents of the Chief Administrator theory. However, the Constitution, when read in conjunction with The Federalist Papers and the convention records, provides a coherent and convincing account of the Framers' view of the President's administrative role: The Chief Administrator. Our nation has undergone tremendous change since the ratification of the Constitution. Many will wonder what can be gained by analyzing the Founders' thoughts regarding the executive's administrative powers. This Note will not attempt to win over those who find such an analysis quixotic or irrelevant. Yet even the most vehement critics of original intent analysis may find that the Framers' understanding of the principles of sound, responsible government can enrich other interpretive modes as well as our understanding of the political science of government.

From paradox to principles: where next for scientific advice to governments?

AbstractScientific advice to governments has never been in greater demand; nor has it been more contested. From climate change to cyber-security, poverty to pandemics, food technologies to fracking, the questions being asked of scientists, engineers and other experts by policymakers, the media and the wider public continue to multiply and increase in complexity. At the same time, the authority and legitimacy of experts are under increasing scrutiny. This thematic article collection (‘special issue’) brings together perspectives on the theory, practice and politics of scientific advice that build on the conclusions of the landmark conference in Auckland in August 2014, which led to the creation of the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA). We hope that new papers will continue to be added to this collection over the next year and beyond, making it a living, fully open access repository for new scholarship and policy thinking—and an important contribution to the emerging science and art of scientific advice.

The problem of epistemic jurisdiction in global governance: The case of sustainability standards for biofuels

While there is ample scholarly work on regulatory science within the state, or single-sited global institutions, there is less on its operation within complex modes of global governance that are decentered, overlapping, multi-sectorial and multi-leveled. Using a co-productionist framework, this study identifies 'epistemic jurisdiction' - the power to produce or warrant technical knowledge for a given political community, topical arena or geographical territory - as a central problem for regulatory science in complex governance. We explore these dynamics in the arena of global sustainability standards for biofuels. We select three institutional fora as sites of inquiry: the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive, the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials, and the International Organization for Standardization. These cases allow us to analyze how the co-production of sustainability science responds to problems of epistemic jurisdiction in the global regulatory order. First, different problems of epistemic jurisdiction beset different standard-setting bodies, and these problems shape both the content of regulatory science and the procedures designed to make it authoritative. Second, in order to produce global regulatory science, technical bodies must manage an array of conflicting imperatives - including scientific virtue, due process and the need to recruit adoptees to perpetuate the standard. At different levels of governance, standard drafters struggle to balance loyalties to country, to company or constituency and to the larger project of internationalization. Confronted with these sometimes conflicting pressures, actors across the standards system quite self-consciously maneuver to build or retain authority for their forum through a combination of scientific adjustment and political negotiation. Third, the evidentiary demands of regulatory science in global administrative spaces are deeply affected by 1) a market for standards, in which firms and states can choose the cheapest sustainability certification, and 2) the international trade regime, in which the long shadow of WTO law exerts a powerful disciplining function.

Optimising the monitoring of tropical aquatic resources through the development of Indigenous scientific capability

Involving Indigenous community members to assist with the monitoring of harvested populations can greatly assist with the sustainable use of these resources. The benefits of training Indigenous community members in western scientific methods include: increased capability development, increased employment opportunities and more cost effective monitoring output than could be undertaken by government agencies. The aim of this project was to develop a training course to provide elementary scientific skills to Indigenous participants from communities throughout the Northern Territory of Australia. The short term goals of the training were: (1) to increase the capacity of Indigenous communities to conduct monitoring activities and collect biological and physical samples, (2) to increase the employment opportunities for Indigenous community members by providing them with additional skills and a recognised qualification and (3) To provide a cost effective way of conducting monitoring activities in remote areas by using local capability rather than incurring the expense of sending a research team to these locations. The longer term goal of the training is to facilitate the development of research partnerships between Indigenous community members and management agencies as a first step in the move to co-management of aquatic resources. The key components for successfully developing the course were; consistent engagement with Indigenous communities to build relationships and identify priorities for both the community and government agency, the course content involved participation from community members and government scientists, the training addressed the needs of students with English as a second language, the course content was heavily practical and pictorial, assessments were verbal and/or practical and students were housed in accommodation that allowed them to conduct the course to the best of their ability. The research that has been conducted by the participants, as well as three students gaining employment in government research agencies since the completion of the course, suggest that the training has been successful in achieving its short term goals. The research partnerships that have been developed between the government agency and Indigenous community members are still in their infancy, so the move to co-management between these groups is still several years away. However, this training has provided an initial step in this process by increasing the monitoring capability within a substantial number of coastal Indigenous communities that allows them to participate in research programs that underpin the management of their aquatic resources.

HURRICANES, CROPS, AND CAPITAL: THE METEOROLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF AMERICAN EMPIRE IN THE WEST INDIES

This article examines the mutually reinforcing imperatives of government science, capitalism, and American empire through a history of the U.S. Weather Bureau's West Indian weather service at the turn of the twentieth century. The original impetus for expanding American meteorological infrastructure into the Caribbean in 1898 was to protect naval vessels from hurricanes, but what began as a measure of military security became, within a year, an instrument of economic expansion that extracted climatological data and produced agricultural reports for American investors. This article argues that the West Indian weather service was a project of imperial meteorology that sought to impose a rational scientific and bureaucratic order on a region that American officials considered racially and culturally inferior, yet relied on the labor of local observers and Cuban meteorological experts in order to do so. Weather reporting networks are examined as a material and symbolic extension of American technoscientific power into the Caribbean and as a knowledge infrastructure that linked the production of agricultural commodities in Cuba and Puerto Rico to the world of commodity exchange in the United States.

Development and testing a diagnostic capacity tool for improving socio-ecological system governance

The capacity to sustainably govern complex socio-ecological systems (SES) has been identified as a necessary but daunting task by SES scholars, resource stewards and stakeholders. This research sought to inform the question: What are determinant capacities and functional linkages that can be incorporated into diagnostic tools for analysts seeking to improve sustainable socio-economic system SES governance? Literature was used to identify and translate determinant capacities and functional linkages into a quantifiable metric of governance quality. The tool was developed from ecological, business, governance and decision science literature. This tool recognizes the dynamic and systemic linkages between the resources and the social systems that use and govern them for improving systems thinking and SES outcomes. The tool was tested to determine its ability to capture perceived characteristics of governance quality and problem management using Michigan’s cleanup and redevelopment program. The results of this research indicated that the exploratory tool was reliable and valid. This research contributes to the evolving body of SES frameworks, specifically the study of individual and organizational capacities for improved SES outcomes. The implications of this research suggest participatory network-based governance with higher levels of resource exchange, in the form of interdependency, trust, diplomacy and reciprocity, aligns with practitioners’ perceptions of improved program performance. Further, while some capacities and related findings of this research may be context specific, concepts associated with the development and testing of this diagnostic tool, such as the use of systems thinking, participatory network-based governance, and related competencies, may have more universal application.

Public Secrets, Muzzled Science: Agnotological Practice, State Performance, and Dying Salmon in British Columbia

This article examines recent efforts by the Canadian government to silence a federal scientist from publicly speaking about her research on the decline in Fraser River sockeye salmon. I argue that the information embargo through which Canadian officials silenced government science not only served an agnotological function of demobilizing the opposition by promoting public ignorance about ecological issues, but also functioned as a means of state making by producing an image of the state as a unitary and powerful actor. This performance of secrecy represents a critical component of contemporary governance, and its examination has much to reveal about the central role that the production of a state effect plays in neoliberalism.