Toolbox

EU Water Law

Methods used

Qualitative comparative analysis

Interviews

Research focus & objectives

The research focus of this project is the evaluation of how the science-policy interface determines certain choices in the making and development of environmental policy innovations. The objective is to understand better the influence of the science-policy interface dynamics on the evolutions of policy innovations in time, to contribute to the understanding, analysis and eventual resolution of pressing environmental water-related issues, to invite European institutions and governments to reflect on their science-policy practices, and to offer a theoretical and empirical contribution intended for the scientific community, by developing the concept of transcoding within the field of sociology of translation (Science and Technology Studies).

Methods applied

Qualitative comparative analysis

Interviews

Semi-structured interviews
Document analysis
Qualitative analysis: Ercan, S.A., Marsh, D., 2019. Qualitative methods in political science, in Keman, H., Woldendorp, J.J., eds, Handbook of research methods and application in political science, Chapter 21: 309-322; Morgan, D.L., 2008. The SAGE Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods. SAGE Publications, Inc: 816–817
Within-case analysis: Rohlfing, I. (2012). Case studies and causal inference: An integrative framework. Springer; Seha, E., Müller-Rommel, F., 2019. Case study analysis in Keman, H., Woldendorp, J.J., eds, Handbook of research methods and application in political science, Chapter 21: 309-322; Flyvberg, B., 2011. ‘’Case Study’’ in Norman, K. Denzin and Yvonna S. Lincoln eds, The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research, 4th Edition, Thousands Oaks, CA, Chapter 17: 301-316.

Analytical tools & literature

Atlas.ti [link]
Transcoding: Lascoumes, P. (1996). Rendre gouvernable: de la “traduction” au “transcodage”. L’analyse des processus de changement dans les réseaux d’action publique. La gouvernabilité, 325-338 [link]; Toshkov, D., 2016. Research design in political science. Macmillan Education UK. Chapter 9: 258-284

Recommended resources

The influence of politico-institutional systems in the formulation and implementation of the European Water Framework Directive: Bourblanc, M., Crabbé, A., Liefferink, D., & Wiering, M. (2013). The marathon of the hare and the tortoise: implementing the EU Water Framework Directive. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 56(10), 1449-1467.
The role of expertise in influencing the European environmental agenda and how experts navigate political interests: Zito, A. R. (2001). Epistemic communities, collective entrepreneurship and European integration. Journal of European Public Policy, 8(4), 585-603.
The concept of transcoding: processes that transform technical inputs and distinct sets of ideas into an applicable policy measure, despite various political interests and expertise involved (Diallo, F. D. (2022). Conflicted translations: an analysis of the bus rapid transit policy adoption process in Cape Town. Territory, Politics, Governance, 1-19)

Reflections and recommendations by the researcher

Regarding the topic of the Water Framework Directive, it has been studied in all kinds of ways for already two decades. It is difficult to be original and propose groundbreaking solutions, when this massive legislation has been stuck with slow and difficult implementation for many years. I would suggest exploring more local case studies, because this is where change does happen. Many papers in the literature recommend not to underestimate the power of the local level in WFD implementation.

Regarding the topic of the role of the science-policy interface in policy innovations, I would recommend getting proper training in Science and Technology Studies from the very start. It is necessary to master this literature before being able to make any statement or bring anything to the table, which I have Deliverable 6.2 14 realised well too late. There are infinite possibilities on how to tackle this question, but to make the right decisions, you need to know what all of these options represent, and what you want to contribute.

Finally, regarding the methodology, I would recommend diversity. Due to a very short timeline, I did not allow myself to explore other methods than qualitative and case-study analysis, such as quantitative analysis, surveys, or QCAs. This is not only stimulating personally as it allows you to learn new skills, but also should bring solidity to your findings and put them in perspective with different approaches.

Publication(s)

We invite you to read the paper published as part of this doctoral research:

Valin, N., & Huitema, D. (2023). Experts as policy entrepreneurs: How knowledge can lead to radical environmental change. Environmental Science & Policy, 142, pp. 21-28 [link]

Researcher

Nina Valin

Nina Valin is a PhD student in the department of Environmental Policy Analysis of the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She is conducting her PhD as part of the NEWAVE Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network, and her project addresses the role of the interplay between experts and policy makers in policy change, taking the European Water Framework Directive as a case-study.