Relationship-based knowledge mobilization: systems-based KMb and consideration of risk perception...

Anneliese Poetz, PhDapoetz@yorku.ca

Canadian Knowledge Mobilization ConferenceMonday June 9, 4:30 – 5:00p (Room Poplar)

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

RELATIONSHIP-BASED KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION: SYSTEMS-BASED KMB AND CONSIDERATION OF RISK PERCEPTION FOR

EFFECTIVE UPTAKE

OUTLINE

• Context

• Research objectives

• What I did (methodology)

• What I learned from the research

• Why this is important for Knowledge Mobilization

CONTEXT

KINCARDINE, ON

BRUCE POWER (KINCARDINE)

PICKERING AND BRUCE RESTART• 1997, 7 reactors in Ontario shut down (NAOP)

• 1997 new legislation Nuclear Safety and Control Act, replaces Atomic Energy Control Act/AECB and enacted CNSC (CEAA) which required EA

• 2005 Bruce A 1&2 returned to service (a few years prior, Pickering A Unit 4 2001-03, then Unit 1, not 2&3)

RE-LICENSING PROCESS (STEPS)1) NGS submits LOI & project description to CNSC

2) CNSC issues Draft EA guidelines

3) EA guidelines subject to public review

4) CNSC commission hearing on EA guidelines

5) CNSC issues final EA guidelines

6) NGS submits draft EA study to CNSC

7) NGS submits final EA study report to CNSC

8) CNSC issues draft screening report for public review

9) CNSC commission hearing on screening report

10) CNSC commission decision

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

OBJECTIVES1) To explore the importance of individual knowledge

about risks

2) To investigate the manner in which information is exchanged and utilized

3) To explore the relationship between the public and the decision-making institutions which are entrusted with making decisions about risk

How can the current stakeholder consultation processes for decision making involving risks to public safety

be improved?

METHODOLOGY

QUALITATIVE INTERVIEWS + DOCS

WHAT I LEARNED

GLOBAL SYSTEM

NATIONAL SYSTEM

LOCAL SYSTEM

RELATIONSHIP MODEL FOR STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT & KE

Poetz, A. (2012) “Risk is a social thing, not just a mathematical thing” a model for stakeholder engagement in decision-making. Risk, Hazards and Crisis in Public Policy. Vol.3, Iss.2, Art.4: http://bit.ly/1nMJNIX

TYPES OF RISK PERCEPTIONS

• Technical

• Environmental

• Political

• Financial

• Security

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT FOR KM

KNOWLEDGE USE FOR DM

• Industry preferred to conduct their own ongoing scientific analyses (context specific, security risks)

• Academic studies not used because not context-specific, not relevant for EA (specific requirements)

• Answer to shareholders (it’s a business)

WHAT I LEARNED…• Important to understand perception of risk for all

stakeholders (not just the public)

• Fluid process, and always changing depending on contingencies (external events that affect the system)

• Good/trusting relationships, including transparency (where appropriate) is key

• KEY: facilitated in-person consultations (semi-formal)

• Build relationships before you need them, maintain them after (return to community to explain decision) so they will be there when you need them again

HOW DOES THIS TRANSLATE TO OTHER CONTEXTS• “invisible barriers” to uptake can include risk perceptions

• Wrong/inadequate information being provided for uptake info needs to be tailored to needs of audience (policy, practice, public)

• Seek out areas of misunderstanding and clarify before conflict occurs (def’n transparency, Fed vs Prov EA, roles)

• Realize the information needed, the risk perceptions that might be a barrier to uptake, and roles of ppl, change as events/contingencies happen and impact the ‘system’

REMEMBER…Things constantly change:

• Relationships

• The system

• Information needs

• Risk perceptions

QUESTIONS?

Anneliese Poetz, PhD

apoetz@yorku.ca

“All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions”

- Leonardo da Vinci

“Risk is a social thing, not just a mathematical thing” a model for stakeholder engagementin decision-making: http://bit.ly/1nMJNIX

A systems-view of decision-making for risky technologies: from global to local and local to global: http://bit.ly/1mgwDTe

What’s your “position” on nuclear power? An exploration of conflict in stakeholder participationfor decision-making about risky technologies: http://bit.ly/1gvBaDs

TECHNICAL RISK PERCEPTIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL RISK PERCEPTIONS

POLITICAL RISK PERCEPTIONS

FINANCIAL RISK PERCEPTIONS

SECURITY RISK & TRANSPARENCY

FAIRNESS OF PROCESS

DEMOCRACY OF PROCESS

FOR INDUSTRY:• Clearly explain mandates, processes and roles

beforehand (including def’n of transparency)

• Opportunities throughout and beyond decision-making processes be made available for informal, mediated discussions

• Go back and explain the decision afterwards

• More emphasis on relationship management (communication and conflict resolution, “attitudes”)

APPLICATION OF RELATIONSHIP MODEL• On-site academics to conduct environmental studies

• Dependent upon relationship (trust/security clearance)

• Arms-length/objective (off-site) vs. on-site ‘biased’

• Ongoing stakeholder consultation, before, during and after EA