Exploring the space “in-between”- opening up polarization in forest communication.

The forestry debate is polarized, and arenas for constructive communication between involved parties are impaired. Discussions about forestry in relation to questions of climate change and biodiversity conservation resemble a “ping-pong match” where arguments  bounce back and forth, creating dead-locked positions in a time when urgent action is needed. At the same time, actors at both ends of the production - conservation spectrum agree that polarization is destructive, and that they want more constructive conversations on forestry-related issues.

This post doc project aims to explore, using cases from both Sweden and Finland, if, where and how constructive conversations can and do come about in a time when the demands on forests are many, and in a context where there are plural knowledge claims and  expertise to draw on for supporting future decisions. These plural knowledge claims might also come from actors with different views on how these demands can and/or should be met. The project has a particular focus on what we call the space ‘in-between’, i.e. a space where claims are less rigid, more diverse, and more solution-oriented.

Based on qualitative research methods, specific objectives of the project are to:

1. examine selected communication processes to identify characteristics that render them constructive, or conversely, that make communication polarising or destructive;
2. investigate how actors with different stakes in forests (e.g., NGOs, researchers from various academic disciplines, representatives from authorities and municipalities, civil society and industry) describe and problematize forest communication, how they conceptualise 
   constructive and respectful communication processes, including their own role, responsibility and capacity to contribute in such direction
3. based on (1) and (2), develop recommendations for respectful conversations on forestry-related
   issues.