How We Got Tired of Experts: Why Science Struggles to Inform Policy

This book enables readers to dissect ongoing and future controversies in science-informed policy, providing a comprehensive understanding of how consensus is built—or thwarted. By analyzing the role and behavior of scientists in society, the book offers a toolkit for interpreting current events and anticipating future challenges in science-policy interactions.

The chapters cover topics such as the legitimation of science as a truth provider, the evolution of science-for-policy agencies, and the emergence of Post Normal Science. Readers will explore critical issues like climate change, public health, and gene editing, gaining insights into the persistent science-policy issues of today. The book's formalized case study approach, developed over eight years in the classroom, serves as an effective learning tool for both students and interested readers. This approach allows readers to analyze past and present events from the framework of predictable science-policy interactions.

Ideal for students, educators, policymakers, and the science-literate public, this book offers valuable insights into the uncertain, value-laden aspects of science in policy. It is particularly relevant for those with an interest in the life sciences, health, and environmental policy. Whether used as a course text or a personal guide, it equips readers with the skills to navigate the evolving landscape of science and policy. The book's structured case study analysis and comprehensive exploration of science-policy interactions make it a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complex relationship between science and policy. It is adaptable to the classroom, with classroom-ready case studies, tools and exercises for readers to develop skills in interpreting historical and emerging science for policy controversies.