Beyond Advocacy: Making Space for Conservation Scientists in Public Debate

• DOI: 10.1111/conl.12193
• Publication Date: 2015-06-23T09:07:15Z
• Authors: Georgia E. Garrard; Fiona Fidler; Bonnie C. Wintle; Yung En Chee; Sarah A. Bekessy
• Keywords: Objectivity (philosophy); Scope (computer science); Citizen Science

Abstract The topic of advocacy by scientists has been debated for decades, yet there is little agreement about whether can or should be advocates. fear crossing a line into continues to hold many back from contributing public discourse, impoverishing debate important issues. We believe that progress in this limited misconception the relationship between scientific integrity and objectivity. begin unpacking debunking three common misconceptions scientists: namely, harmful credibility, beyond scope science, incompatible with which value‐free. propose new ways thinking responsible conservation scientists, drawing on practices health sciences, where researchers professional bodies are empowered act as In so doing, we hope open further space actively legitimately engage