Joint Fact Finding in Science-Intensive Policy Disputes

When public policy decisions hinge on complex scientific data, disagreements often lead to gridlock. Joint Fact Finding (JFF) provides a proven, collaborative framework to bridge the gap between technical experts, policymakers, and communities. This text-only course introduces you to the essential strategies for resolving science-intensive disputes through mutual inquiry and consensus-building. By studying this structured methodology, you will learn how to turn scientific conflict into collaborative progress. You will explore how to frame research questions together, select neutral experts, and analyze data in a way that all parties trust. What you'll learn: 1. Understand the core phases of the Joint Fact Finding framework. 2. Identify and engage key stakeholders in science-intensive disputes. 3. Formulate collaborative research questions that address community concerns. 4. Manage scientific uncertainty, conflicting data, and expert disagreements. 5. Apply modern data transparency and open-science communication practices. 6. Facilitate consensus-building sessions to reach durable policy agreements. This course begins with foundational concepts of collaborative planning before moving into practical step-by-step techniques. It is designed for beginners, public policy students, urban planners, and community advocates. No prior background in environmental law or advanced statistics is required. Start reading to master the collaborative tools needed to resolve complex scientific policy disputes.