Scientific integrity, public policy and water governance in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia

Matthew J. Colloff*, R. Quentin Grafton, John Williams

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    22 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We examine the impediments to scientific integrity with an analysis of the water science-policy interface for the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB), Australia. We highlight the dangers to the public interest of ‘administrative capture’ of science, whereby scientists are incentivised to narrow or close down the scientific questions asked, the debates on evidence and the scientific dialogue so to support predetermined policy actions. Administrative capture of science is not intended to be objective or disinterested and contributes to a diminution of trust in science and scientists. Using an integrative theoretical framework for analysis of the different stances taken by scientists in science–policy interactions, we show how scientists as Issue Advocates have sought to limit debate and the options available in relation to water reform in the MDB. We provide six possible actions to reduce administrative capture that encourages scientists to become Issue Advocates. These actions include procedural, professional, evaluative, judicial, instrumental and external controls that support scientific integrity by individuals and agencies that use and/or undertake publicly funded research.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)121-140
    Number of pages20
    JournalAustralian Journal of Water Resources
    Volume25
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2021

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Scientific integrity, public policy and water governance in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this