PhD project: Evidence and when does it count: Applying best practices for consolidating research evidence and assessing challenges related to research uptake in natural resource governance

This research project assesses the role of scientific knowledge (evidence) and scientists in public decision making related to natural resource governance.
First, I will assess the benefits and limits of two evidence synthesis methods (systematic review and realist synthesis) in their ability to provide credible, legitimate and salient information for policy making in a natural resource policy problem.

Second, in order to assess the influence of scientific information in policy processes, I will build on the case of an international forest policy mechanism REDD+ and examine the origin of evidence within domestic policy networks. Finally, I will investigate risks and opportunities arising from diversity of bias (e.g. researcher cognitive bias, funding bias) within evidence generation and science-policy interfaces, and identify options to enhance transparency and awareness for these risks.