Policy decision-making, public involvement and nuclear energy: What do expert stakeholders think and why?

Despite new governmental initiatives aiming to engage the general public in policymaking related to nuclear energy, little is known about how expert stakeholders involved in the decision-making process perceive such activity. This study examines how a series of social, cognitive and communication factors influences expert stakeholders’ attitudes toward public participation in policy decisions related to nuclear energy. Specifically, using data from a survey of 557 experts identified through content analyses of public meeting records, we find that among those perceiving public opinion as being split, not-for-profit stakeholders (e.g. governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations) are more likely to think public involvement is important than scientists and stakeholders from the private sector (e.g. industry and lobbying groups). The perception of a split public for the issue of nuclear energy seems to be driven by frequent use of online media (e.g., blogs and social networking websites). Implications of the findings with respect to promoting meaningful stakeholder participation in making policy decisions are discussed.

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