The role and influence of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
This is an ongoing project to analyse the role and influence of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, a standing advisory body created by the Wilson Government in 1970.
There is increasing interest in the role of advisory bodies in policy- and decision-making. The broader context for this research is provided by the dramatic evolution of environmental policy over four decades, and by theories of the policy process, particularly those with a cognitive dimension. These latter perspectives acknowledge a crucial role for knowledge, ideas and argument, alongside power and interests, in the making of policy. The original empirical work for the study involved detailed documentary analysis, predominantly archival work, and around 100 in-depth interviews with former members, chairs and secretariat of the Royal Commission, and with individuals in relevant policy communities including senior civil servants and ministers. since 1998, Susan Owens' own membership of the Royal Commission has added a view 'from the inside'.
This work contributes to theories of environmental policy and politics, and helps to develop a theory of policy advice. It also documents the history of a unique institution.
Publications
Project publications are listed below: others are in preparation.
- Owens, S. and Rayner, T. (1999) '"When knowledge matters": The role and influence of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution', Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning 1, 1, 7-24.
- Owens, S. (2003) 'The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution', in G. Altner, H. Leitschuh-Fecht, G. Michelsen, U. E. Simonis and E. U. von Weizsäcker (eds.) Jarhbuch Ökologie 2004, München: Verlag C. H. Beck, 96-103.
- Owens, S. (2006) 'Risk and precaution: changing perspectives from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution', Science in Parliament 63, 1: 16-17.