Legitimate Knowledge Policy Co-Production towards Just Climate Action
This dissertation examines how institutions that connect science and policymaking can better support fair and effective climate action. Bringing together insights from Science and Technology Studies, political sociology, and climate governance, it develops the concept of Legitimate Knowledge-Policy Co-Production (LKPC)—a framework that integrates diverse knowledge systems, strengthens transparent and inclusive processes, and enhances the real-world impact of climate policies. Drawing on research from local urban climate planning and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the dissertation shows how legitimacy and co-production together can help bridge the gap between knowledge and action, especially for communities most affected by climate change. Link to the complete dissertation here.
This study systematically reviews how science-policy interfaces influence environmental policymaking. It identifies the core features that make SPIs effective—from participation and interdisciplinarity to strong communication—and shows how these factors shape policy agendas and decisions.
This article develops a legitimacy framework for evaluating science-policy interfaces. It argues that SPIs are inherently political and shows how input, throughput, and output legitimacy can strengthen their role in enabling just and credible climate action.
Based on extensive interviews and document analysis, this study compares how four cities design their climate action plans. It highlights differences in participation, transparency, and co-production, showing why more inclusive and accountable processes lead to more just and effective urban climate actions.
This paper examines how the IPCC navigates tensions between technical authority and the need for inclusivity. It shows how emerging efforts—such as incorporating diverse epistemologies and broadening disciplinary representation—can enhance the IPCC’s legitimacy and support more just climate governance.