What is the role of consensus statements in a risk society?
Journal article
La Brooy, Camille, Pratt, Bridget and Kelaher, Margaret. (2020). What is the role of consensus statements in a risk society? Journal of Risk Research. 23(5), pp. 664-677. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2019.1628094
Authors | La Brooy, Camille, Pratt, Bridget and Kelaher, Margaret |
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Abstract | This paper explores the role of consensus statements in a risk society. It uses Beck’s theory of risk to show that scientists have employed consensus statements in order to re-establish faith in science. Through analysing the goals of participants in consensus fora and comparing them to the fora processes, this paper considers how consensus statements and guidelines in public health can be viewed as remedies for the decline in expert trust experienced in the current risk society. To collect data, 25 interviews were undertaken with consensus panel participants from the USA, UK and Australia. Interviewees were from peak national agencies/commissioning agencies and were categorised as policymaker, practitioner and consumer stakeholders. Participants made recommendations for improving consensus processes in order to mitigate perceptions of risk. These were: (1) clearly stated goals; (2) robust, evidence-based and transparent processes of methodological development and participation/deliberation/decision-making; (3) diverse stakeholder representation, including increased consumer participation; (4) transparency about conflicts of interest; and, (5) robust, carefully worded recommendations. Poor-quality consensus statements can further entrench scepticism about the scientific enterprise. While consensus statements can be seen as a tool for moderating perceptions of risk, policymakers and scientists must ensure the integrity, strength and transparency of their research methods. This has the potential to facilitate policy, improve scientific accountability to the public and legitimise processes. While fostering greater trust is not a primary objective for scientists, an increase in legitimacy of process can be an important unintended consequence of improved quality consensus statements and an important antidote to the risk society. |
Keywords | consensus statements; guidelines; risk; participation processes; science; faith in expert systems |
Year | 2020 |
Journal | Journal of Risk Research |
Journal citation | 23 (5), pp. 664-677 |
Publisher | Routledge |
ISSN | 1366-9877 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2019.1628094 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85089419529 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 664-677 |
Funder | Australian Research Council (ARC) |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 25 Jul 2019 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 05 Apr 2019 |
Deposited | 29 Oct 2021 |
ARC Funded Research | This output has been funded, wholly or partially, under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8wy11/what-is-the-role-of-consensus-statements-in-a-risk-society
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Publisher's version
OA_Brooy_2020_What_is_the_role_of_consensus.pdf | |
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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