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Expert Conceptualisations of the Role of Lay Knowledge in Environmental Decisionmaking: challenges for Deliberative Democracy

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  • Judith Petts
  • Catherine Brooks

Abstract

The authors draw upon survey evidence of expert conceptualisations of the value of public knowledge in environmental decisionmaking. In the context of local air quality management in particular, they consider how experts understand the potential benefits of technological citizenship, and what status they accord to lay knowledge relative to their own roles. Evidence suggests a continuing expert-deficit model of lay knowledge, with suspicions that the public mis understand environmental issues. Although the need for public ‘buy-in’ to the solutions to problems such as air pollution is supported, this does not translate to a more proactive engagement of lay knowledge in the assessment of such issues. Experts seem to be personally challenged by such notions. The authors discuss the need for a cultural shift in expert understanding of the value of lay knowledge, supported by a move away from an oversimplification of the need for, and value of, public participation.

Suggested Citation

  • Judith Petts & Catherine Brooks, 2006. "Expert Conceptualisations of the Role of Lay Knowledge in Environmental Decisionmaking: challenges for Deliberative Democracy," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 38(6), pages 1045-1059, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:38:y:2006:i:6:p:1045-1059
    DOI: 10.1068/a37373
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sally Eden & Christopher Bear, 2012. "The Good, the Bad, and the Hands-on: Constructs of Public Participation, Anglers, and Lay Management of Water Environments," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 44(5), pages 1200-1218, May.
    2. Sedlačko Michal & Staroňová Katarína, 2015. "An Overview of Discourses on Knowledge in Policy: Thinking Knowledge, Policy and Conflict Together," Central European Journal of Public Policy, Sciendo, vol. 9(2), pages 10-31, December.
    3. J. Barnett & H. Cooper & V. Senior, 2007. "Belief in Public Efficacy, Trust, and Attitudes Toward Modern Genetic Science," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(4), pages 921-933, August.
    4. Lowe, Philip & Phillipson, Jeremy & Proctor, Amy & Gkartzios, Menelaos, 2019. "Expertise in rural development: A conceptual and empirical analysis," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 28-37.
    5. Baptiste Bedessem & Lucie Morère & Louise Roblin & Anne Dozières & Anne-Caroline Prévot, 2022. "Participatory Biodiversity Governance: A Comparison of Two French Initiatives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-19, June.
    6. Anne Vogelpohl, 2019. "Global expertise, local convincing power: Management consultants and preserving the entrepreneurial city," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 56(1), pages 97-114, January.
    7. Pietrzyk-Kaszyńska, Agata & Olszańska, Agnieszka & Rechciński, Marcin & Tusznio, Joanna & Grodzińska-Jurczak, Małgorzata, 2022. "Divergent or convergent? Prioritization and spatial representation of ecosystem services as perceived by conservation professionals and local leaders," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    8. James P Evans, 2006. "Lost in Translation? Exploring the Interface between Local Environmental Research and Policymaking," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 38(3), pages 517-531, March.
    9. Anna Wesselink & Jouni Paavola & Oliver Fritsch & Ortwin Renn, 2011. "Rationales for Public Participation in Environmental Policy and Governance: Practitioners' Perspectives," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 43(11), pages 2688-2704, November.
    10. Lehoux, P. & Daudelin, G. & Abelson, J., 2012. "The unbearable lightness of citizens within public deliberation processes," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(12), pages 1843-1850.
    11. Frédéric Vandermoere, 2008. "Hazard Perception, Risk Perception, and the Need for Decontamination by Residents Exposed to Soil Pollution: The Role of Sustainability and the Limits of Expert Knowledge," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(2), pages 387-398, April.
    12. Frank van Kouwen & Card Dieperink & Paul P Schot & Martin J Wassen, 2009. "Computer-Supported Cognitive Mapping for Participatory Problem Structuring," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 41(1), pages 63-81, January.
    13. Ksenia Koroleva & Jasminko Novak, 2020. "How to Engage with Sustainability Issues We Rarely Experience? A Gamification Model for Collective Awareness Platforms in Water-Related Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-24, January.
    14. Martin J Wassen & Hens Runhaar & Aat Barendregt & Tomasz Okruszko, 2011. "Evaluating the Role of Participation in Modeling Studies for Environmental Planning," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 38(2), pages 338-358, April.
    15. HaeRan Shin, 2016. "Re-making a place-of-memory: The competition between representativeness and place-making knowledge in Gwangju, South Korea," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 53(16), pages 3566-3583, December.

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