How do different disciplinary communities understand the uncertainties of modeling in international climate change and energy research?
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Science, Tech, Eng and Public Policy
Abstract
Planning mitigation approaches in climate change requires highly complex modelling to be performed of global climate and energy systems. All modelling requires a number of underlying assumptions to be made so that reality may be conveniently represented; however, in the case of climate change, systemic uncertainties and decision risks are extremely high. Consequently uncertainties must be handled with particular rigour. Scientists may assume that modelling work is guided by strict positivist principles and often do not appreciate the extent to which their understanding of their work is socially constructed. I intend to explore why people in different disciplinary communities may deal with the inherent uncertainties in what they do in the way they do. This will involve identifying and exploring what conceptual models these groups use to understand their practices and more widely the process of doing climate science or energy systems research. It is hoped that this may lead to a better understanding of what institutional structures and best practices can facilitate open and constructive discourses on this topic.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Arthur Caesar Petersen (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Luke Bevan (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/P000592/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 1923238 | Studentship | ES/P000592/1 | 01/10/2017 | 28/06/2022 | Luke Bevan |
| Description | As a result of I have contributed to a number of policy advisory projects for an overseas government on a topic relating to science policy. With colleagues, I will be helping to Department fo Business Energy and Industrial Strategy with Monitoring and Evaluation training for policy programmes. I am a core team member of the UCL Policy Commission on the Communication of climate science. My research has been of great use and is directly relevant in assisting teaching on a module entitled 'Evidence for Decision-making'. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | Involvement in science-policy related consultancy project for overseas government |
| Geographic Reach | Asia |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | UCL Policy Commission on the Communicating climate Science |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I was invited to join the UCL Policy Commission on Communicating Climate Science and have been a core team member since 2017. I have been attending regular meetings with the group where we develop a broad portfolio of projects aimed at not just but improving the processes of communication between science, policy, business and the general public. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The aim of the commission is as follows: "The UCL Policy Commission on Communicating Climate Science (CCSPC) II, chaired by Professor Chris Rapley (UCL Earth Sciences), comprises a cross-disciplinary project group of researchers from psychology, neuroscience, science and technology studies, earth sciences and energy research. This is the phase two of the Commission and continue to examine the challenges faced in communicating climate science effectively to policymakers and the public, and the role of climate scientists in communication. " Due to the broad portfolio of projects undertaken it is difficult to succinctly summarise the contribution of partners. Examples of activities undertaken by commission members are the running of communications training workshops, workshops with civili servants to understand risk language in communication and a panel at the American Geophysical Union. |
| Impact | A number of outcomes have resulted from the commission. However, my personal involvement in the direct provision of these outcomes is currently limited to concept development in commission meetings. This is a highly interdisciplinary group comprising individuals from academia and wider society. From academia: climate science, neuroscience, anthropology, earth sciences, economics From outside of academia: journalism, media production, civil service |
| Start Year | 2017 |