Integrated assessment focus groups: bridging the gap between science and policy?

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Abstract
In the last decade, integrated assessment (IA) has become an important approach for synthesising multidisciplinary knowledge about complex environmental phenomena with regard to policy decision-making. So far IA has been performed primarily as an expert exercise. This paper argues that a participatory element is needed that integrates lay persons (citizens, stakeholders) into the assessment process. The focus group method is considered as a promising tool to achieve such inclusion. Characteristics, applications, problems, and opportunities for focus groups in policy-oriented IA are discussed. The insights presented are backed by experiences collected in the context of two large research programmes — the European Union project ULYSSES and the Swiss project CLEAR.

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