Communication Barriers and Lessons Learned in Energy Policy

Hollie Smith and Christine Gilbert
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Hollie Smith: Department of Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
Christine Gilbert: Harrington School of Communication and Media, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 2, 1-9

Abstract: In the past 30 years, energy researchers have concluded their academic publication with sections that deal directly with policy implications and recommendations. Yet too often, these recommendations are written with little understanding of how policymakers balance different needs, prefer to communicate, or use scientific information. In this manuscript, we outline key variables—time, training, and interpretation—that are key to understanding how to better communicate research implications to policymakers. We recommend emphasizing the power of language and the use of boundary objects in an attempt to mitigate the issues presented between researchers and policymakers.

Keywords: energy policy; science communication; deficit model; communication theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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