Priority Group chair tackles eugenics, Keynesianism and climate science in groundbreaking new study

Professor Grundmann with Priority Group colleagues

Professor Reiner Grundmann, of the University’s Science, Technology and Society Priority Group and School of Sociology and Social Policy, has released a new book exploring the relationship between scientific knowledge and political decision-making. The Power of Scientific Knowledge draws on diverse and controversial case studies to uncover the complex interactions between scientists, policy-makers and the cultural contexts in which they negotiate.

Speaking alongside the book's co-author, Professor Nico Stehr, Professor Grundmann said,

“Our findings may surprise. Keynes, who developed his theory while advising the British government, made several practical policy suggestions but did not prevail at the time. His policies were taken up later in different countries, arguably through processes of diffusion and changing perceptions. 

Race science developed tools for the classification of races and individuals, who were then identified for specific ‘treatment’. This knowledge was keenly taken up by several governments, particularly Germany. In this sense, race science was extremely powerful in practice. 

Climate science has made the case for anthropogenic global warming and spent much energy on providing proof in this respect. The debate has been immensely politicised but with little practical effect. GHG emissions are not falling in line with the scientific recommendations. In this sense, climate science has proven ineffective for policy-making. It failed to identify the levers for action which can make a difference in practice.

However, even where practical knowledge (meaning knowledge which could make a difference in practice) is developed, this does not create the conditions for its own success. Political and cultural forces are usually far more important for decision-making”

Read a blog post from the authors here

Professor Grundmann has been appointed the new Academic Champion of the University’s Science, Technology and Society Priority Group.

Read about the group's research