The science-policy relationship in times of crisis: An urgent call for a pragmatist turn.
Soc Sci Med
; 306: 115140, 2022 08.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1886081
ABSTRACT
In this conceptual paper, we argue that at times of crisis, what is sometimes called "evidence-based" or "science-driven" policymaking-establishing scientific truths and then implementing them-must be tempered by a more agile, deliberative and inclusive approach which acknowledges and embraces uncertainty. We offer pragmatism as one potential option, using examples from the UK to illustrate how such an approach might have changed particular crisis decisions and led to better outcomes. We propose that to better prepare for the next public health crisis, five pragmatism-informed shifts are needed in the science-policy relationship from scientism to science-informed narrative rationality that emerges from practice; from knowledge-then-action to acting judiciously under uncertainty; from hierarchies of evidence to pluralist inquiry; from polarized camps to frame-reflective dialogue; and from an "inside-track" science-policy dialogue to greater participatory democracy. We suggest an agenda for a pragmatist-informed program of applied research on crisis public health policymaking.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Policy Making
/
Public Health
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Soc Sci Med
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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