Biodiversity is directly and indirectly impacted by local and national policy. In this seminar, we will discuss the nature of policy for biodiversity in the UK, from the role of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the work of local councils in developing local planning and development policies. In doing so, we will consider the strategies academic researchers might take to engage with policy at local and national scales. We will ask: How can relationships be forged with civil servants, parliament and politicians? How can research evidence help decision makers respond to societal concerns? Through discussions with academics experienced in policy engagement, we will discuss successes and challenges of policy engagement and identify practical skills for those interested in developing their own policy engagement strategy within the UK.

Panellists:
Dr. Pam Berry, Senior Research Fellow, Environmental Change Institute
Dr. Alison Smith, Senior Research Associate, Environmental Change Institute
Maria Dance, D.Phil. Student, School of Geography and the Environment