Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The module will examine how scientific evidence is used to support decision making in the context of wildlife management policy and licensing.

Students will gain:
An in depth knowledge of the legal framework within which UK wildlife policy sits.
Knowledge of how wildlife acts and regulations are used to manage species and habitats in the UK.
Understanding of how research and evidence is used in the formulation of government policy.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module will examine how scientific evidence is used to support decision making in the context of natural resource management policy and licensing.

It will provide an overview of the science-policy interface as it relates to current management practice in the UK and explore the roles of government, agencies, non-government organisations and stakeholders in this process.

It will provide a review of relevant UK law and statutes for enforcement and licensing in relation to species protected areas and commercial operations.

It will examine methods to support evidence-based policy making, including the Defra policy cycle, quantitative decision making and adaptive management. This will include consideration of decision making in the absence of evidence, and the presentation of uncertainty.

It will include practical experience of preparing evidence to present to decision makers, including the use of ministerial submissions.

Lastly, it will examine how evidence is procured and case studies of how stakeholder groups use evidence to influence decision makers.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module, students should be able to describe the main activities that take place at the science-policy interface, to understand how to increase the policy impact of evidence, and have improved their ability to design and collect of evidence to test ecological questions in relation to management measures, policy applications and key evidence needs

Intended Skill Outcomes

Ability to present an evidence based presentation/ministerial submission.
Ability to map research to policy impact.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Teaching will be a combination of lectures, seminars, a workshop and independent study with directed reading.

Lectures and seminars will be used to introduce new ideas, factual information and the policy framework. Case study examples will be taught in a workshop using participatory learning, role play and scenario decision making using current UK wildlife examples.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The course will be assessed by a written assignment that will test the ability to communicate science for policy.

General Notes

N/A