Environmental narratives in complex policy contexts
Environmental narratives in complex policy contexts
An increasing number of cities, regions and nations are faced with the challenge of reconciling progressive environmental aspirations with established policy approaches focussed on economic development through extractive and resource-intensive development. In collaboration with researchers working directly on and in the local contexts, this Leverhulme International Fellowship explores cases at three different governance levels: city, state and country to understand how different environmental policy narratives have formed and continue to evolve.
The project
‘Environmental policy narratives’ is an emerging area and currently under-explored in terms of fundamental research. ‘Narratives’ are ways of framing language to “promote or prioritise particular ideas or values”. They may be consciously or unconsciously adopted and can be “instrumental in shaping and directing policies that are developed and adopted and actions that are taken as a result” (Washbourne, 2022).
Documenting and extracting meaning from these narratives requires the integration of theory and practice across a range of disciplines (including social sciences, policy studies, environmental studies, sustainability science and literary studies) as well as an understanding of how knowledge and perspectives from a range of stakeholders interact within decision-making contexts.
The project centres around collaborations with institutions with a reputation for excellence in work on the science-policy interface on the environment, engaging with colleagues based in these institutions, and with other local actors working across the science-policy interface, to understand the topics and issues they see emerging.
Related resources
Washbourne, C. L. (2022). Environmental policy narratives and urban green infrastructure: Reflections from five major cities in South Africa and the UK. Environmental Science & Policy, 129, 96-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2021.12.016Link opens in a new window
Project team
Dr Carla-Leanne Washbourne (PI)
Reader | Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies (CIM) | University of Warwick
Funder
Leverhulme International Fellowship