(Not So) common places: The roles of ecologists in environmental public policy

Abstract

Current socio-environmental issues challenge ecologists to contribute to their resolution through public policy. There are many possible forms of contributing to public policy besides providing information. A conceptual model proposes four roles, namely Pure Scientist, Science Arbiter, Issue Advocate and Broker of Alternatives. These roles differ in their view of science and whether they offer options to decision makers. In this work, we explored through a survey approach the self-perception of Argentine ecologists about their role concerning environmental public policies. We characterized the socio-professional profile of the ecologists according to different dimensions. Additionally, we explored the satisfaction level with the roles adopted and explored the exogenous and endogenous factors necessary to adopt the desired ones. Our results showed that the most common roles among argentine ecologists are Pure Scientists and Brokers of Alternatives. Surveyed ecologists showed intermediate satisfaction levels with the role they assume and half of them would like to assume another role, in most cases that of Broker of Alternatives. One of the main reasons that determine their satisfaction level is the possibility of linking their work with decision making. The most common causes for dissatisfaction mentioned are exogenous factors such as the restrictions within their workplace, available time and other actors' attitude towards the idea of collaborating. The argentine scientific system has an unsatisfied demand for a change concerning the engagement of ecologists with environmental public policy. We suggest that these changes should be addressed given the urgent environmental problems.