Science, for, with or by policy makers: Pontbren

Science for, with or by policy makers; the case of the Pontbren project. This was the title of the seminar delivered by Dr Sophie Wynne-Jones of Aberystwyth University on the implications of policy control and carrying out evaluations of projects for scientific means and also for policy.

Dr Wynne-Jones approached the presentation in an open manner and did not shy away from debunking a few mistruths surrounding the Pontbren project, as well as tackling the conflicts occurring when the Government demands one thing, the members of a project need another, and perhaps science needs a third approach.

provided more food for thought than answers, it left the brain churning over the concepts for a few days afterwards

The presentation was based on that delivered to theRoyal Geographical Society last summer and was a presentation of the process of the research rather than the results of said research. Pontbren has been in the news recently for the functions of planting hedgerows and trees and the effects on the water catchment, but as Dr Wynne-Jones was at pains to point out that the initial motivations were shelter provision for livestock.

The idea of working with farmers is often discussed in a negative light and the stereotypical farmer is conservative in methods and reluctant to embark upon change and wary of meddling from external forces. Having worked for several years on a farm, I can see the reasons behind this clearly from both sides, and the project started with farmers seeking to better their farms. As is right for all business owners, which is what farmers are at the end of the day.

Disenchantment with many of the existing agri-environment schemes led to the creation of a group of farmers and the snowballing of this has led to the project as it is realised today, with the Welsh Government being involved from 2002 – 2012.

In these cases you have to pick people you know you can work with.

Large in this was the topic of co-production of research and participatory research. Previously to this seminar I had not heard of this topic of research. However by the end of the hour-long presentation I could recognise where I have in fact already been part of or seen instances of participatory research.

Dr Wynne-Jones felt it key that the members of the Pontbren project had some involvement in the production of her research for the Welsh Government. Consequently the farmers’ message could be made to the government. The message was possibly not one the Government wanted to hear, yes the Pontbren project has been a success for these farmers in mid-Wales, but it is not a panacea.

The impact of planting on water catchment came as a by product of the work at Pontbren

Their approach came about due to dissatisfaction with the existing model. Also it wasn’t unanimous; some farmers were not included in the project. In these cases you have to pick people you know you can work with. This also applied to Sophie’s case; the trust of these farmers had to be earned, as the true picture in close-knit communities like the Pontbren community will not emerge if a scientist goes in, conducts a survey / their research and leaves again.

 a success for these farmers in mid-Wales, but it is not a panacea.

The whole seminar was very well presented, and I left feeling that perhaps some of the disparity between science and policy well explained and perhaps reconciled. Although on review the seminar provided more food for thought than answers, it left the brain churning over the concepts for a few days afterwards. This is a positive and I enjoyed that the presentation was mentally stimulating to the audience as well as informative to boot.

More information and further reading relating to the Pontbren project can be found here:

http://www.pontbrenfarmers.co.uk/

http://www.ceh.ac.uk/sci_programmes/pontbren.html

A journalistic piece about Pontbren, Dr Wynne-Jones mentioned in the lecture with mixed feelings.http://www.monbiot.com/2014/01/13/drowning-in-money/

An article for the scientific reader that deals with some of the questions raised in this blog. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837712002001