Uncertainty analysis and communication in IA practice and decision making

Beskrivelse

This paper takes point of departure in a SEA of a radioactive waste deposit in Denmark, which is a process characterised by conflict involving many different actors at different levels. The paper analyses this process, based on a survey conducted among the citizens and local NGOs in the affected areas. This shows, that the level of trust in the authorities and the knowledge they bring into the process in the form of expert reports etc. is very low. Rather the citizens rely on knowledge from other sources found on the Internet, knowledge from fellow citizens and external experts, and they not only focus on knowledge and facts, but also on values. The paper goes on to discuss these results based on theory on uncertainty and knowledge production, such as the work of Ulrich Beck and the model proposed by Donald MacKenzie of the ‘uncertainty trough’. MacKenzie proposes that perception of uncertainty connected to knowledge depends on what relation the actors have to the production of the knowledge, and thus the model is useful for differentiating and explaining the positions of the experts, the government and the citizens. Through this, the understanding of process is deepened, and the role of uncertainty explored.

Periode	4 apr. 2017 → 7 apr. 2017
Begivenhedstitel	IAIA Conference 2017: Impact Assessment’s Contribution to the Global Efforts in Addressing Climate Change
Begivenhedstype	Konference
Placering	Montreal, CanadaVis på kort
Grad af anerkendelse	International