Circle U. seminar: Evidence and Democracy in Times of Crises

Circle U. seminar series

The topic of the first meeting is "What evidence?" (in the context of crises). The topic for the second seminar will be "Whose evidence?“ What is the role of evidence – and what should be its role – when urgent decisions must be taken?

What evidence?

What is the role of evidence – and what should be its role – when urgent decisions must be taken? How do political and administrative decision-makers balance “hard” scientific evidence with other types of evidence and other legitimate concerns? How can scientific evidence be communicated to the wider public without unduly antagonizing significant parts of the population?

Streaming here

The event will stream on this webpage and will consist of five minute talks followed by discussion/ Q&A. Circle U.'s president Svein Stølen will open the seminar. 

Speakers

Jonathan Grant, King’s College London

Title of talk: Learning to listen: social movements, the red bus and the role of evidence

Grant is Professor of Public Policy and Director of Different Angles, a consultancy that focuses on the social impact of universities and research. Jonathan’s main research interests are in biomedical and health R&D policy, research impact assessment and the use of research and evidence in policy and decision-making. 
 

Antoinette Mary Fage-Butler, Aarhus University

Title of talk: The value of values where science meets the public

Fage-Butler is Associate Professor in School of Communication and Culture. Antoinette´s main research is knowledge communication, especially in conditions of risks and trust/mistrust, health communication, cultural analyses of values and public participation. 
 

Trish Greenhalgh, University of Oslo / University of Oxford

Title of talk: Evidence, certainty and doubt in a fast-unfolding pandemic: insights from pragmatist philosophy

Greenhalgh is Professor of primary care health sciences. Trish leads a programme of research at the interface between social sciences and medicine, with strong emphasis on the organisation and delivery of health services. Trish is also Professor at Centre for Sustainable Healthcare Education at University of Oslo.
 

Moderators

Tobias Bach is professor in Political Science at University of Oslo and academic chair of democracy at Circle U. He also leads the Open School of Public Governance within Circle U.

Eivind Engebretsen is professor in interdisciplinary health science at University of Oslo and academic chair of global health at Circle U. He is also executive chair of Centre for Sustainable Healthcare Education (SHE) at the Faculty of Medicine, and leads the UiO team on “Socially engaged Education and Research” in Circle U.

 

More information about the seminar series on democracy

Universitetsplassen: A new beginning

The knowledge festival Universitetsplassen: A new beginning will run from 31 August to 2 September. We will discuss solutions to a sustainable society: How we will take care of our planet and our democracies, as well as lessons from the pandemic. [In Norwegian]

Event organized by Circle U.