20.05.2025: Lecture
Lecture by Dr. Eva Krick on the topic “Environmental expertise in participation processes”
As part of the Forum Sustainability event series the next event for the summer term 2025 on the main topic of “Negotiating, communicating and legalizing global sustainability goals”, took place on 20th May 2025. After a short introduction by Jun-Prof. Dr. Ulrike Zeigermann and Linda Koch, Dr. Eva Krick from Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz spoke on the topic „Environmental expertise in participation processes”.
Dr. Krick began her lecture by asking who can actually be considered a climate expert. She analyzed two central social developments: the participatory turn and the increasing “epistemization” of the political. The former refers to the trend towards greater citizen participation in democracies, for example in the form of referendums or lot-based procedures such as citizens’ councils. However, weaknesses such as a lack of representation and political connection were also addressed. The latter describes the growing influence of science and expertise on political decisions (“evidence-based policy-making”), which simultaneously creates new areas of tension: Who is considered an expert? And what knowledge is politically legitimate=
Another topic was the assessment of the quality and reliability of knowledge, especially if a broad concept of knowledge is used, which includes experiential knowledge as well as “Know-how”. Dr. Frick made it clear that not every opinion automatically represents expertise, the decisive factor is whether knowledge is a useful resource for others. Specialization, originality and institutional verifiability of knowledge are particularly relevant. Even if experiential knowledge – such as that of those affected by climate-related events – is more difficult to evaluate, share and generalize, it can deepen understanding of the problem and make the perspective of vulnerable groups mor tangible. In addition, with regard to the trustworthiness of knowledge, so-called proxies such as certificates or professional backgrounds were discussed as proxy indicators for reliable knowledge. However, such proxies often do not work for tacit knowledge or non-institutionalized experiential knowledge. Programs like the Norwegian “Ex-In”, which makes experiential knowledge usable in a structured way through specific courses, were presented as a possible solution.
Finally, the question was asked what climate expertise looks like in concrete terms. It became clear that experiential knowledge is not considered particularly valuable due to its lack of generaliability and shareability. However, experiential knowledge should not be underestimated and instead ways should be found to make this knowledge more visible and connectable.
The events of the Forum Sustainability will be organized in interdisciplinary cooperation with the Chair of Social Science Sustainability Research, the Chair of Public Law and International Economic Law, the Department of Political Theory and the Chair of International Relations and European Studies. The lecture could also be credited towards the GSiK Certificate in Sustainability and Global Responsibility.
