Strengthening impact assessment: a call for integration and focus

A. Morrison-Saunders; J. Pope; J.A.E. Gunn; A. Bond; F. Retief

doi:10.1080/14615517.2013.872841

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Strengthening impact assessment: a call for integration and focus

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Strengthening impact assessment: a call for integration and focus

A. Morrison-Saunders, J. Pope, J.A.E. Gunn, A. Bond and F. Retief

Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, Vol.32(1), pp.2-8

2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14615517.2013.872841

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Abstract

We suggest that the impact assessment community has lost its way based on our observation that impact assessment is under attack because of a perceived lack of efficiency. Specifically, we contend that the proliferation of different impact assessment types creates separate silos of expertise and feeds arguments for not only a lack of efficiency but also a lack of effectiveness of the process through excessive specialisation and a lack of interdisciplinary practice. We propose that the solution is a return to the basics of impact assessment with a call for increased integration around the goal of sustainable development and focus through better scoping. We rehearse and rebut counter arguments covering silo-based expertise, advocacy, democracy, sustainability understanding and communication. We call on the impact assessment community to rise to the challenge of increasing integration and focus, and to engage in the debate about the means of strengthening impact assessment.

Details

Title: Strengthening impact assessment: a call for integration and focus
Authors/Creators: A. Morrison-Saunders (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
J. Pope (Author/Creator) - North-West University
J.A.E. Gunn (Author/Creator) - University of Saskatchewan
A. Bond (Author/Creator) - University of East Anglia
F. Retief (Author/Creator) - North-West University
Publication Details: Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, Vol.32(1), pp.2-8
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Identifiers: 991005540339607891
Copyright: © 2014 IAIA.
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 6 Social Sciences; 6.153 Climate Change; 6.153.2227 Strategic Environmental Assessment
Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Studies
ESI research areas: Social Sciences, general