This project addresses the paradox of scientific authority in contemporary policymaking: scientific advice is increasingly demanded even as policymakers often flatly disregard expert advice. Because of the recent upsurge in references to ‘post-truth politics' and ‘alternative facts' in public discussions and political commentary, demand is growing for serious analysis of how politicians use or disregard scientific knowledge, and whether the practices involved have changed in recent decades. The project analyses legislative debates from the parliaments of Canada, Finland, Kenya, and the United Kingdom. While decidedly sidestepping the general lamentation of ‘post-truths', this project has the potential to change the current understanding of the evolving relationship between science and politics. Thus, the results can be expected to be of value for everyone interested in the practices that surround the use of science in democratic politics.

2021

2026