1. The Value of Twisting the Lion’s Tail: How the Design of Policy Experiments Impact Learning Outcomes for Adaptation Governance.
Belinda McFadgen, PhD researcher, 1.5 years.

2. Concepts Policy Experiments
Test and/or develop a policy idea/innovation by implementing it within a protected field setting;
Analysis structured using Ostrom’s rule typology.
Definition- important points- testing/developing – protected space. NOT an ongoing policy process, not a demonstration project, needs implementation component
ADAPTATION GOVERNANCE:
Flexibility in policy making- not permanent- find out what doesn’t work- an adaptive design means feedback can improve design and ensure relevance;
Platform for diverse participation- affected stakeholders involved, can be initiated by non-state actors, connect state and non-state actors
Analytical framework is Ostrom’s Institutional Analysis and Development Framework, using the 7 rule types to analyse experiments for comparative purposes.

3. Concepts
Learning
Helps us address uncertainty and complexity in social-ecological systems
Considered vital to the contemporary governance strategies;
Cognitive Learning: the acquisition of new, or the improved structuring of existing, knowledge;
Normative Learning: changes in the viewpoints, norms and values of participants both individually and collectively;
Relational Learning: an improved ability to cooperate, increase in trust, and a better understanding of the mindsets and frames of other participants.
Normative goal in itself because: decrease uncertainty, reduce complexity
Cognitive learning- described as the acquisition of knowledge, content management, and problem-solving task-oriented actions;
Relational learning, which is concerned with social processes, how individuals relate to and build trust with one another, and whether they understand and appreciate one another’s frames
Normative learning- tricky one. Ideally want convergence of perspectives into a common purpose, and ecological interests are paramount over all others, but how realistic is this? Maybe better to maintain Popperian perspective that there is no common purpose and better to aim for negotiated consensus on issues?

4. Connections Experiments and Learning Knowledge acquisition
Use of strict scientific principles
Extra value in diverse participation
Convergence of norms/ reflection on assumptions
Ability to question norms
Extra value in diverse participation- challenge dominant perspectives
Frame recognition, improvement in trust and cooperation
Greater control over the process, joint design and evaluation
Policy learning- influence on policy decision making: knowledge being salient, credible, legitimate

5. Connectivity
What does this tell us about the role policy experiments can play in adaptation governance?
Flexibility in policy making- experiments can foster a protected space in which we can try new ideas out without commitment, allows us to see what does not work;
Theoretically a very strong way to enhance learning in adaptation governance among diverse sets of participants, opportunity to develop collective goals among participants.
Relation to organising connectivity
Experiments enable us to connect ideas to existing policy domain through the protected space;
Connects diverse participants, although for temporary time and for specific purpose;
May connect institutional levels. Evidence suggests that involving multi-level participants in an experiment enhances the likelihood that the experimental results are used in the policy process.
In any case we would like you te prepare a very short (about 5 minutes) presentation in which you tell the participants what you have learned on the possible role of policy experiments in the field of climate change adaptation so far, and preferably also on how such experiments may contribute to realizing connectivity (I assume that’s the more difficult part but you may give it a try).