20 March 2025 | 08:30 - 13:30 (MST)
Mixed Session (Open and Closed Parts) - On-SITE ONLY
Room: UMC Fourth Floor - 425
Organisers: Monika Szkarłat, Rasmus Bertelsen, Agnieszka Skorupa, Kamil Filipek (Maria Curie-Sklodowska University (Poland), University of Silesia (Poland), UiT The Arctic University of Norway)
Event Description:
This workshop will engage participants in an in-depth focus group study, exploring the multifaceted relationship between scientific communities and their broader environment. The session is structured around two core research tasks.
First, it will assess the dynamics of knowledge transfer from scientists to policy-makers at both national and international levels. Participants, including scientists active in expert bodies, early-career researchers, and professionals from government, business, and media, will share their experiences and perspectives on the effectiveness of their involvement in policy-making. Discussions will focus on the challenges faced, potential improvements to increase effectiveness, and a mutual understanding of the expectations and limitations of the diverse stakeholders involved. The subject of interest will also include answering the question: what expectations do policymakers have towards scientists/experts providing knowledge for decision-making processes, how is this knowledge utilized, does it undergo modification or even instrumentalization for decision-making purposes, and how do political entities influence the world of science (from the perspectives of scientists and decision-makers)?
In the second part, the workshop will shift towards a mixed sociological and psychological analysis, evaluating scientists' emotions, motivation, personal satisfaction and stress levels in their roles as intermediaries between research and policy. This segment aims to uncover the intrapersonal aspects of their cooperation with external stakeholders, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the personal impacts of these collaborative efforts.
The workshop welcomes a diversified audience, including early-career researchers, experienced scientists, state officials, and members of the business and tech sectors, offering a unique opportunity for cross-sector dialogue on the future of Arctic science-policy interactions.