Article: How to tell policymakers about scientific uncertainty

Greetings Everyone:

I have quite a few times made reference to  interesting articles on the Science and Development Network web site (www.scidev.net) which produces news, views and information about science, technology and the developing world (although many of their articles are just as relevant for the developed world).

Recently posted is an article by Chandrika Nath, a scientific adviser at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology in the UK, on How to tell policymakers about scientific uncertainty.

She notes that scientists are used to working with uncertainty and indeed this uncertainty drives scientists to look for the answers. In contrast, policy makers often expect scientists to provide definitive answers and uncertainty may drive them to indecision.

So how can you give policymakers the information they need while also communicating science's inherent uncertainty? Read the article here to see Chandrika’s suggestions. Nothing earth shattering, but a good read with some helpful suggestions about communicating science to policymakers.

With best wishes, Sandra Hails, Ramsar Secretariat
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Sandra Hails
CEPA Programme Officer
Ramsar Convention Secretariat
28 rue Mauverney, CH-1196 Gland (Switzerland)
Tel. +41 22 999 0176; fax +41 22 999 0169
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