Dr Vanessa Bowden

Sociologist Dr Vanessa Bowden investigates the interface between our understandings of the environment with science, policy and social justice. While we might often think of environmental issues as directed by scientific understandings, issues such as climate change reveal the complexities around our trust in science, politics and concern for the economy. Understanding the ways in which these issues intersect is a key focus of Dr Bowden’s research.

“Many of the assumptions we’ve had about science and knowledge as continually improving and guiding our social practices are not borne out in reality” says Dr Bowden. “Climate change is one example of that, but so are some of the discussions we have around health, and immunisation, for instance. This is not necessarily a bad thing – in many cases it might be an indication of an increasingly engaged and critical public – however, there are always a range of interests involved in such debates. My work is about bringing an analysis of how power operates within these debates.”

Dr Bowden’s research has explored the ways in which business leaders in the Hunter region of NSW – home to the world’s largest coal port – have responded to climate change. The research shows that the debates over the science of climate change, especially confusion around the severity and timing of impacts, creates a space in which the prominent coal industry is able to mobilise significant power. In this context, the research gives some insight into barriers to climate mitigation policies, such as putting a price on carbon or implementing renewable energy targets.

Dr Bowden is currently undertaking a new research project on the impact of ‘post-truth’ politics on scientific practice, where she will further explore how these broader public debates impact on research and teaching within different scientific fields such as medicine and the environment.