Navigating the science-policy interface: climate scientists' role conceptions and engagement practices
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Effective climate change response requires constructive science-policy engagement, yet what role interpretations climate scientists hold at the science-policy interface, which factors shape these interpretations, and how they relate to actual communication behaviour remain empirically underexplored. We surveyed German climate scientists (N = 249) and identified five distinct profiles: Advocating Brokers, Engaged Advocates, Reserved Academics, Policy Advisors, and Traditional Academics. Notably, the latter group --- preferring detachment from societal and policy engagement --- represents only a small minority. These findings provide insights into the ways scientists navigate their engagement at the science-policy boundary, contributing to the ongoing discourse on scientific advocacy in post-normal science contexts.
Source: Journal of Science Communication
Institution: University of Passau
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7225092060