Science-Policy partnerships (Project D3.1)

Overview

Relationships that facilitate dialogue and discussion between researchers and policy makers, referred to as “science-policy partnerships”, are a key adoption pathway that specifically targets the integration of research outcomes into policy-making processes to influence the transition toward water sensitive cities.

This project worked with industry participants to develop new, or strengthen existing, relationships that increase the adoption and use of CRCWSC research in policy. It has tested relevant partnership models that focus on policy championed by state and local governments.

Key outcomes

This project supported the creation of new science-policy partnerships which have helped further the adoption and integration of CRCWSC’s research outcomes into national, state and local government policy agendas. Building capacity to better understand and use CRCWSC’s research has been an important part of creating these partnerships.

Pilot science-policy partnerships were established with Blacktown Council and Ku-ring-gai Council in New South Wales, and the Department of Water (DoW) in Western Australia.
A number of important lessons from these pilot projects have been identified and will help guide other stakeholders seeking to establish their own science-policy partnership arrangements.

Some of the lessons learned include:

• science-policy partnerships help build participants’ confidence to initiate policy projects in the case of DoW and Ku-ring-gai Council, or to strengthen initiatives in the case of the Blacktown Council;
• early impacts have come from two-way “sharing” of CRCWSC knowledge with the participating organisations rather than linear “transfer”;
• alternative strategies of “influence” (rather than knowledge transfer) are based on the confidence and capability of the messenger rather than the message itself; and
• there is not a single model for science-policy partnership arrangements, rather tailored solutions are necessary to match the particular circumstances and requirements.