The project of science has been to provide answers to questions about the world and how it works. Often, this lofty role has been characterised by a narrow and dogmatic scientific training, an unwillingness to communicate to differing stakeholder needs, a refusal to accept and to manage uncertainty, complexity and value commitments, and the reduction of knowledge assessment to colleague peer review on narrowly technical issues. Times have changed. As the world faces increasingly disparate challenges, science is subjected to increasingly vehement demands from a society calling for transparency, openness and public participation in science policy. Science is going through an evolutionary process. Perhaps the most painful process it has ever encountered.

Research on the interfaces between science and society is a burgeoning area. A new conception of knowledge now appears to be emerging, based on the awareness of complexity, uncertainty and a plurality of legitimate perspectives and interests. Democracy is extending into the previously quite exclusive scientific realm, and science must now submit to public scrutiny and participation in the governance of knowledge. This book provides much-needed reflections on the methods and tools for knowledge quality assurance, particularly on its inputs to extended policy and decision-making processes.

The overall aim is to improve the relationship between science and society. The discussion involves six themes: communicating between plural perspectives; accepting and learning how to manage uncertainty, complexity and value commitments; acknowledging new conceptions of knowledge; implementing transparency, openness and participation in science policy; valuing community-based research; and exploring how new ICT can support inclusive governance. Taken together, these themes provide both a framework and vision on how to conceive, discuss and evaluate the changes that are occurring. The chapters cover theory, practice, approaches, experiences, ideas and suggestions for a move beyond 'talking the talk' to 'walking the walk'.

Science and policy interfaces are dynamic processes needing to permanently redefine themselves and their roles. This book contributes to the enrichment and deepening of our understanding of these important new trends in the social relations of science, which are fundamental to our understanding of the prospects for further progress.

The book will be essential reading for scientists, policy-makers, managers and the public.

Ângela Guimarães Pereira was born in Mozambique, daughter of a sociologist and an engineer. She has a PhD in Environmental Impact Assessment with the New University of Lisbon. In 1996 she began working at the Joint Research Centre in several research projects, eventually founding the Knowledge Assessment Methodologies group in 1999, where she leads an action on science–society interfaces: alba.jrc.it. In 2003 she organised the conference on Interfaces between Science and Society in Milan, which resulted in this book. She co-ordinates the InSCights network on interfaces between science and society: alba.jrc.it/ibss.

Sofia Guedes Vaz is an Environmental Engineer, graduated from New University of Lisbon and MSc Ecological Management, from Imperial College, London. She was an environmental consultant for six years. She also worked in the European Environment Agency in Copenhagen for six years. She is currently completing her PhD on environmental philosophy dealing with virtue ethics, responsibility and the precautionary principle.

Sylvia S. Tognetti is a geographer who works as an Environmental Science and Policy consultant to several organisations, providing analysis and synthesis of complex issues associated with the provision of watershed and other ecosystem services. Previously, she served as staff for several scientific committees at the US National Academy of Sciences. She currently publishes the Flows electronic bulletin on payments for watershed services, and was a lead author for the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report on Policy Responses. She founded and produces The Post-normal Times, an environmental science and policy blog that puts science into context and covers all the news that doesn’t fit: www.postnormaltimes.org.