School of Social and Political Science

Description

Researchers: Prof Joyce Tait

FP6 Co-ordination Action on Integrative Approaches to Risk Governance

• TNO, Delft, Netherlands
• Innogen, Edinburgh, UK
• Symlog, Paris, France
• Joint Research Centre, IPSC/KAM (ISPRA), EU/Italy
• Dialogik, Stuttgart, Germany
• ISIG (Institute of International Sociology of Gorizia), Gorizia, Italy

Project summary

This project will develop an integrative risk governance model choosing:

• an open project architecture rather than using a specific risk governance model
• a policy learning approach as the central mode of operation, allowing for integrating input across different science fields, across different geographical boundaries, and across the science-policy interface
• cases related to complex, ambiguous risk fields where the agreement of risk governance approaches is limited, or related to new, emerging risks. 

In the preparatory phase the key project partners will develop a framework for risk governance learning, including classifications of risk governance situations and of social and cultural settings, criteria for `good quality' processes in governance, methods to promote learning within and across risk fields.

The second phase will include six risk case fields involving uncertainty/ambiguity or novel challenges:

• Biotechnology / stem cells (leader: Innogen, UK, Prof. Tait)
• Radioactive waste (leader: Institute Symlog, France, Dr. Mays)
• Nanotechnology (leader: JRC/IPSC/KAM, EU, ir. Craye and Dr. Funtowicz)
• Climate change (leader: Dialogic, Germany, Prof. Renn)
• Sediments (leader: TNO, Netherlands, Dr. van der Vlies)
• Electromagnetic Fields (leader: ISIG, Italy, prof. de Machi and prof. Pellizoni)