9 Knowledge Exchange at Science-Policy Interfaces …
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while scientists try to find a scientific gap in which they can perform their research
and publish it.
To bridge the paradigmatic divide between science and policymaking, it is essential that scientists and policymakers have a common idea of the problem at hand, and
that they exchange long enough to really understand what the other side knows
and wants. To start with, science/policy interaction would immediately improve
if the different expectations of science and policymaking regarding research were
expressed and clarified, and if both sides would accept that these expectations will
not always converge.
Finally, boundary organisations support science/policy interaction. They help
bridge science/policymaking divides. However, it is obvious that a lack of
science/policy interfaces represents a crucial barrier of knowledge exchange
(Barrier 4). Clearly, this finding is strongly in line with the literature on transdisciplinarity (Zierhofer and Burger 2007; Zscheischler et al. 2018).
Knowledge exchange takes place when knowledge is used. Difficult access to
scientific knowledge (Barrier 5), especially to research findings, results and guidance for practice hinders this usage of knowledge. For policymakers, researching
knowledge can be an exhausting task. Furthermore, access to scientific publications
and data is not always open access and free of charge.
However, even if knowledge is accessible, its usage is not guaranteed. Transferability, applicability and practicability of scientific knowledge is not self-evident
(Barrier 6). Knowledge (e.g. a new method for land management) has to be tested
and adapted to conditions in practice.
Another knowledge-specific barrier is the problem of selecting relevant information, and identifying new, innovative ideas in an age of information overload
(Barrier 7).
Knowledge producers are often scientists. The reward system of scientists can in
fact impede knowledge exchange at science/policy interfaces, because researchers are
rewarded—and are mainly measured—by the frequency of their publications in highranking scientific journals (Barrier 8). This dissuades researchers from “wasting”
time at the science/policy interface.
Afterall, it is obvious that knowledge exchange takes time and costs money.
Accordingly, financial and time pressure in research projects result in fewer
knowledge exchange activities organised by scientists or boundary organisations
(Barrier 9).
Spatial planning, land use and soil management affect different sectors of the
economy. Construction, tourism, agriculture and forestry, among others, all demand
different uses for the land and the soil. Those with an interest in developing land
could oppose those with an interest in preserving high-quality soil (Pütz 2011).
Correspondingly, different interests make knowledge exchange difficult. Conflicts
of interest and power issues might hinder the free flow of knowledge and its comprehensive exchange (Barrier 10). Related to the barrier concerning conflicting interests
is the fact that experts in spatial planning, land use and soil management usually come
177
while scientists try to find a scientific gap in which they can perform their research
and publish it.
To bridge the paradigmatic divide between science and policymaking, it is essential that scientists and policymakers have a common idea of the problem at hand, and
that they exchange long enough to really understand what the other side knows
and wants. To start with, science/policy interaction would immediately improve
if the different expectations of science and policymaking regarding research were
expressed and clarified, and if both sides would accept that these expectations will
not always converge.
Finally, boundary organisations support science/policy interaction. They help
bridge science/policymaking divides. However, it is obvious that a lack of
science/policy interfaces represents a crucial barrier of knowledge exchange
(Barrier 4). Clearly, this finding is strongly in line with the literature on transdisciplinarity (Zierhofer and Burger 2007; Zscheischler et al. 2018).
Knowledge exchange takes place when knowledge is used. Difficult access to
scientific knowledge (Barrier 5), especially to research findings, results and guidance for practice hinders this usage of knowledge. For policymakers, researching
knowledge can be an exhausting task. Furthermore, access to scientific publications
and data is not always open access and free of charge.
However, even if knowledge is accessible, its usage is not guaranteed. Transferability, applicability and practicability of scientific knowledge is not self-evident
(Barrier 6). Knowledge (e.g. a new method for land management) has to be tested
and adapted to conditions in practice.
Another knowledge-specific barrier is the problem of selecting relevant information, and identifying new, innovative ideas in an age of information overload
(Barrier 7).
Knowledge producers are often scientists. The reward system of scientists can in
fact impede knowledge exchange at science/policy interfaces, because researchers are
rewarded—and are mainly measured—by the frequency of their publications in highranking scientific journals (Barrier 8). This dissuades researchers from “wasting”
time at the science/policy interface.
Afterall, it is obvious that knowledge exchange takes time and costs money.
Accordingly, financial and time pressure in research projects result in fewer
knowledge exchange activities organised by scientists or boundary organisations
(Barrier 9).
Spatial planning, land use and soil management affect different sectors of the
economy. Construction, tourism, agriculture and forestry, among others, all demand
different uses for the land and the soil. Those with an interest in developing land
could oppose those with an interest in preserving high-quality soil (Pütz 2011).
Correspondingly, different interests make knowledge exchange difficult. Conflicts
of interest and power issues might hinder the free flow of knowledge and its comprehensive exchange (Barrier 10). Related to the barrier concerning conflicting interests
is the fact that experts in spatial planning, land use and soil management usually come