Environmental Science and Engineering Seminar

As researchers within the field of environmental science and engineering, the impact and importance of our work on wider society is seemingly apparent; by developing a scientific understanding of the environment, we provide the knowledge necessary to design policy that addresses society's most pressing environmental problems. To quote Caltech's Environmental Science and Engineering (ESE) Departmental website: "ESE scientists and engineers provide the rigorous scientific and engineering underpinnings needed for rational public policy design". However public policy often does not keep pace with the scientific basis of major environmental problems —most notably the action needed to address the climate change emergency. In this talk, I reflect on my work within the Scottish Parliament as a researcher for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform unit during COP26 to discuss how the gap between academic research and policymaking may be narrowed. The talk will provide insight into how policymakers use and engage with academic research providing insight into the steps academic researchers can take to ensure their scientific findings reach society's decision makers thereby evoking true positive environmental impacts.