Science-Policy-Society interfaces

Science-policy-society interfaces (SPSI) describe processes of how knowledge and data is being produced, transferred, and utilized in decision-making processes. Effective SPSIs can promote and support policy coherence, as they allow for evidence-based policy processes. To better understand how science-policy-society interfaces affect policy coherence, consider the following aspects:

Data and knowledge

In order to deliver coherent policies, it is essential to have a strong evidence-base to inform policy design and implementation. Relevant data and knowledge about the policy issue need to be available, accessible and useable by decision-makers. Monitoring systems specified in policy frameworks can serve as a crucial source of evidence.

Guiding questions:

• Is data of suitable quality available and accessible in a timely manner to support the policy process?
• Is data from various disciplines accessible to decision-makers?
• Are data and knowledge shared across countries to support transboundary policy processes?
• Are requirements for data collection harmonized or standardized across policies (for example through the use of shared indicators, covering same geographical scales or timeseries)?
• Do policies set up collective monitoring systems to support the monitoring of shared or interconnected policy issues?
• Are there any knowledge gaps? Are the knowledge gaps openly addressed?
• Can any other potential issues or challenges regarding data sharing be identified?

Tools and assessments

To create robust science-policy-society interfaces, it is important to consider whether relevant tools are accessible and used appropriately, as this supports the uptake and utilisation of knowledge in policy processes. Such tools include procedures, methods and platforms for conducting environmental assessments, as well as other approaches to showcase the complexity of policy problems.

Guiding questions:

• Are environmental assessments conducted at the relevant geographical scale for a policy issue?
• How are relevance, credibility and legitimacy of environmental assessments ensured?
• How broad is the scope of an impact assessment? Are all relevant impacts, including environmental impacts, sufficiently considered?
• Are other planning tools used?
• Are all the key providers of data/knowledge identified and involved?
• Can any other potential issues or challenges regarding assessments and tools be identified?

Knowledge transfer mechanisms and platforms

Knowledge transfer mechanisms and platforms play a central role in delivering the available data and information into decision making processes for evidence-based policies. To understand coherence challenges, it is therefore also relevant to consider how the available knowledge is being transferred between the various actors, such as scientists, decision-makers and the wider public.

Guiding questions:

• Do knowledge platforms exist that compile and share data with decision-makers and the wider public? What type of actors are involved in these platforms and what are the challenges?
• Which mechanisms for knowledge transfer are used? Is the communicated knowledge understandable to policy makers and the wider public?
• How is data from diverse sources used in decision-making processes?
• Can any other potential issues or challenges regarding knowledge transfer platforms be identified?

Competence and resources

A diverse and complementary set of skills, along with adequate human and financial resources within the SPSI system, can enhance policy coherence. Policy planning and implementation for improved coherence demands a thorough understanding of the complex interconnections between policy issues, requiring expertise from various disciplines and sufficient resources.

Guiding questions:

• Do actors in the SPSI system have sufficient competence to understand and deal with complex thematic interlinkages? Is training or capacity building ensured to address competence gaps?
• Is there sufficient funding, infrastructure and human resources to ensure knowledge generation and collaborative interactions between various actors in the SPSI system?