Articulating Complex Science: The Case of Sea Level Rise; Washington, District Columbia; Spring or Fall 2020

Environmental Law Institute

Investigators

Abstract

This project uses funds to convene a 1.5-day interdisciplinary workshop in Washington, D.C. at which scientists, lawyers, and journalists will explore differing approaches to articulating a complex science topic, such as sea level rise, within the cultural norms of their professions. The goals of this workshop are to: (1) identify and facilitate communication strategies that effectively convey the science of sea level rise and inform policy and legal discussions; (2) help legal experts and policymakers gain better understanding of the science of sea level rise; and (3) highlight the challenges in understanding and communicating the uncertainties of the science of sea level rise. The Workshop uses sea-level rise as a case study because the topic is scientifically complex and is the basis for discussions in the larger civil society regarding cause, effect, mitigation, and adaptation. These discussions necessarily involve scientists, engineers, planners, policy makers, attorneys, and journalists. The Workshop conveners will develop discussion materials for use at the Workshop and disseminate these materials, along with discussion outcomes, afterwards. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.