OPPORTUNITY DETAILS
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Deadline
01 Mar 2018
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The Precautionary Principle: Governance of Innovation and Innovations in Governance
The precautionary principle is a key principle of environment governance. It poses challenges to both environmental science and environmental governance because it applies to 'situations of scientific complexity, uncertainty and ignorance, where there may be a need to act in order to avoid, or reduce, potentially serious or irreversible threats to health and/or the environment, using an appropriate strength of scientific evidence, and taking into account the pros and cons of action and inaction and their distribution' (EEA 2013, p. 681). As a tool to manage risks, uncertainties and ignorance in complex social ecological systems, it is a core element of governance for a transition towards sustainability.
The course will explore challenges and possible ways forward for the effective and appropriate application of the precautionary principle. It will bring together a variety of highly skilled scholars and practitioners with expertise on the precautionary principle, risk assessment and management, environment and health research, science and technology studies, the governance of innovation, environmental governance, and long term transitions to sustainability.
The course is designed as a strategic knowledge and experience sharing process at the intersection between research and praxis. It builds strongly on the work of the European Environment Agency summarised in the two 'Late Lessons from Early Warnings' reports (EEA 2001, 2013). There are still many open and pressing questions around the precautionary principle and its application, ways of doing research, science-policy-society interfaces, the governance of innovations and risk governance in the framework of sustainability transitions. In the current political context, notably in the European Union, there is a need for intellectual rigour around the concept, both from a research and a praxis point of view.
This course would be the fourth edition of the highly successful 2015, 2016 and 2017 SUN courses on the same topic. The faculty is composed of renowned and high profile scholars and practitioners with broad experience in interdisciplinary research and integrative policy-making. The team includes the Executive and Deputy Directors of the European Environment Agency, the former Senior Advisor of EEA and 'Late Lessons' project leader, the Chair of the Scientific Committee of EEA, as well as professors from renowned Universities and Business Schools. Participants will also come from a variety of backgrounds (including both researchers and practitioners from public bodies, NGOs and business). The Course will be a unique opportunity to (i) increase particioants' theoretical and practical expertise on issues surrounding the precautionary principle; to (ii) train in inter- and transdisciplinary research and integrative policy praxis; and (iii) build a strong network with other participants and faculty. The course will be webstreamed and broadly advertised to international and European environmental communities.
Target group
Applications are invited from researchers (advanced PhD students, postdocs) and practitioners from policy-making institutions, NGOs, business and international organizations. Undergraduates will not be considered.
Pre-requisites
Participants to be selected to the school shall meet the following criteria:
- hold positions at universities, research institutions, consultancies, business, relevant public bodies and administrations (including the European Institutions) or a research-oriented NGO;
- have MSc or PhD degree or equivalent and at least two years of research or professional experience or/and teaching at graduate level;
- be fluent in English;
- have demonstrable achievements in research or in praxis;
- demonstrate good communication skills;
- demonstrate originality and motivation in their application letter.
Language requirement
The language of instruction is English, thus all applicants have to demonstrate a strong command of spoken and written English to be able to participate actively in discussions at seminars and workshops. Some of the shortlisted applicants may be contacted for a telephone interview.
