Research for the Environment

Dr. Silke Beck

Division of Social Sciences
Department of Environmental Politics
Working Group Governance & Institutions
Working Group Climate Change (Speaker)


Helmholtz Centre
for Environmental Research - UFZ
Permoserstr. 15
04318 Leipzig, Germany

phone: ++49 - 341 - 235 1733
fax: ++49 - 341 - 235 1836

Dr. Silke Beck

Dr. Silke Beck

Areas of Expertise & Research

  • Global Environmental Assessment
  • Science and Public Policy
  • New Forms of the Governance of Science
  • Science and Technology Studies
  • Comparative Policy Analysis
  • Environmental Governance

Curriculum Vitae

Professional experience

since 01/2010

Senior Research Scientist, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research − UFZ, Department of Environmental Politics

2005 - 2009

Research Scientist, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research − UFZ, Department of Economy

2004/2005

Research Scientist, Institute for Science and Technology Studies, Bielefeld University

2003

Guest Researcher, New Academy of Nature and Culture, Loyola University Chicago, Ill., USA

2000 - 2003

Research Scientist, Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS), Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe

1999/2000

Research Fellow, Global Environmental Assessment Project, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge/ Ma., USA, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF)

1996 - 1999

Doctoral Fellow, Institute for Science and Technology Studies, Bielefeld University, funded by German Research Foundation (DFG)

1994 - 1996

Scientific Assistant, Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS), Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe

1989 - 1993

Scientific Assistant/ Lecturer at the Institute of Political Science, University of Heidelberg

Academic Education

10/2000

Dr. rer. soc. (~ Ph.D.) Sociology, Bielefeld University

1996

Magistra Artium Political Science/Germanistik, University of Heidelberg

Current Projects

Completed Projects

Presentations & Events  

WBGU-Logo

October 17-20, 2012: Copenhagen Business School, Frederiksberg, Denmark

Co-organization of the Open panel with Eva Lövbrand, Linkoeping University (34) “The epistemic and political authority of expertise in environmental governance – I + II”. Biennial Conference of the European Association for the Study of Science and Technology (EASST) 2012: Design and displacement – social studies of science and technology.

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October 2012: WBGU, Virtuelle Akademie für Nachhaltigkeit

Lecture 9: “Scientific Advice for Policy”, lecture within a e-learning seminar as part of the WBGU survey "Gesellschaftsvertrag für eine Große Transformation"

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May 11-12, 2012: University of Cambridge

CRASSH: Workshop “Biodiversity Knowledge Politics”.

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April 18-20, 2012: Lund Conference on Earth System Governance

Towards a Just and Legitimate Earth System Governance: Addressing Inequalities. “Scientific Evidence as “Proof” and “Proxy” for Policy Debate − The Case of Global Warming Policy”.

Membership

Science and Democracy Network (Council)

BMBF-Projekt: Klima Regional – soziale Transformationsprozesse für Klimaschutz und Klimaanpassung

Advancing Knowledge Systems to Inform Climate Adaptation Decisions – ICAD

Atmosphere & Algorithms. Scientific Network funded by the DFG German Research Community (2010-2012)

European Association for the Study of Science and Technology

Reviewer for:

  • Conservation Biology
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Environmental Science and Policy
  • Forest Policy and Economics
  • GAIA
  • German Science Foundation
  • Global Environmental Change
  • Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS)
  • International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics
  • Nature & Culture
  • Science, Technology and Human Values
  • Science, Technology & Innovation Studies
  • Wasserwirtschaftliche Tagesfragen

2012

  • Beck, S., (2012):
    The challenges of building cosmopolitan climate expertise: the case of Germany
    WIREs Climate Change 3 (1), 1 - 17
    full text (url)
  • Beck, S., (2012):
    Book review: "Pieper, Marianne, Thomas Atzert, Serhat Karakayali und Vassilis Tsianos (Hrsg.): Biopolitik in der Debatte. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften 2011. 345 Seiten. ISBN : 978-3-531-15497-8. Preis: € 39,95"
    Kölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie und Sozialpsychologie 64 (2), 397 - 423
    full text (url)
  • Beck, S., (2012):
    Between tribalism and trust: the IPCC under the ‘public microscope’
    Nat. Cult. 7 (2), 151 - 173
    full text (url)
  • Beck, S., (2012):
    Kommunikation als Schutzschild. Zur Strategie des Weltklimarats IPCC
    Forschungsjournal Soziale Bewegungen 25 (2), 47 - 52
  • Beck, S., (2012):
    From truth to trust : lessons learned from "Climategate"
    In: Hogl, K., Kvarda, E., Nordbeck, R., Pregernig, M., (eds.)
    Environmental governance : the challenge of legitimacy and effectiveness
    Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, p. 220 - 241
  • Beck, S., (2012):
    Der Weltklimarat (IPCC) : das Modell für Politikberatung auf internationaler Ebene?
    In: Morisse-Schilbach, M., Halfmann, J., (Hrsg.)
    Wissen, Wissenschaft und Global Commons : Forschungen zu Wissenschaft und Politik jenseits des Staates am Beispiel von Regulierung und Konstruktion globaler Gemeinschaftsgüter
    Internationale Beziehungen 17
    Nomos, Baden-Baden, S. 153 - 177

2011

  • Beck, S., (2011):
    Moving beyond the linear model of expertise? IPCC and the test of adaptation
    Reg. Envir. Chang. 11 (2), 297 - 306
    full text (url)
  • Beck, S., Bovet, J., Baasch, S., Reiß, P., Görg, C., (2011):
    Synergien und Konflikte von Strategien und Maßnahmen zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel. UBA-FBNr: 001514. FKZ: 3709 41 126
    Climate Change 18
    Umweltbundesamt, Dessau-Roßlau, 71 S.
    full text (url)
  • Beck, S., (2011):
    Zwischen Entpolitisierung von Politik und Politisierung von Wissenschaft: die wissenschaftliche Stellvertreterdebatte um Klimapolitik
    In: Schüttemeyer, S.S., (Hrsg.)
    Politik im Klimawandel: keine Macht für gerechte Lösungen?
    Nomos, Baden-Baden, S. 239 - 258
  • Beck, S., (2011):
    Zwischen Entpolitisierung von Politik und Politisierung von Wissenschaft: die wissenschaftliche Stellvertreterdebatte um Klimatpolitik
    In: Schüttemeyer, S.S., (Hrsg.)
    Politik im Klimawandel : keine Macht für gerechte Lösungen?
    Nomos, Baden-Baden, S. 239 - 258
  • Hulme, M., Mahony, M., Beck, S., Görg, C., Hansjürgens, B., Hauck, J., Neßhöver, C., Paulsch, A., Vandewalle, M., Wittmer, H., Böschen, S., Bridgewater, P., Diaw, M.C., Fabre, P., Figueroa, D., Heong, K.L., Korn, H., Leemans, R., Lövbrand, E., Hamid, M.N., Monfreda, C., Pielke, R.Jr., Settele, J., Winter, M., Vadrot, A.B., van den Hove, S., van der Sluijs, J., (2011):
    Science-policy interface: beyond assessments
    Science 333 (6043), 697 - 698
    full text (url)
  • Lövbrand, E., Pielke, R.Jr., Beck, S., (2011):
    A democracy paradox in studies of science and technology
    Sci. Technol. Hum. Values 36 (4), 474 - 496
    full text (url)

2010

  • Beck, S., (2010):
    Vertrauen geschmolzen? Zur Glaubwürdigkeit der Klimaforschung
    Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte 32-33 , 15 - 21
    full text (url)
  • Beck, S., (2010):
    Book review: "M. Hulme, Why we disagree about climate change: Understanding controversy, inaction and opportunity, Cambridge University Press, London (2009), 432 pp."
    Futures 42 (6), 648 - 650
    full text (url)
  • Beck, S., (2010):
    Book review: "Joseph F.C. DiMento and P. Doughman, Editors, Climate Change: What it Means for Us, Our Children, and Our Grandchildren, The MIT Press (2007) 232 pp., $19.95. "
    Futures 42 (1), 89 - 90
    full text (url)
  • Beck, S., Hansjürgens, B., Hiessl, H., Klobasa, C., Lux, A., Liehr, S., Kluge, T., Partzsch, L., Sartorius, C., Schramm, E., (Hrsg., 2010):
    Wasser 2050: nachhaltige wasserwirtschaftliche Systemlösungen - künftige Chancen für die deutsche Wasserwirtschaft. Schlussbericht des BMBF-Projektes
    Förderkennzeichen BMBF 02WT0820
    Institut für Sozial-Ökologische Forschung, Frankfurt am Main, 300 S.
  • Beck, S., Hiessl, H., Kluge, T., Sartorius, C., Schramm, E., (2010):
    Zielhorizont 2050: Systemische Innovationen verbessern die Chancen der deutschen Industrie auf dem Weltmarkt
    Technikfolgenabschätzung - Theorie und Praxis 19 (1), 49 - 57
    full text (url)

2009

  • Beck, S., (2009):
    Das Klimaexperiment und der IPCC: Schnittstellen zwischen Wissenschaft und Politik in den internationalen Beziehungen
    Ökologie und Wirtschaftsforschung 84
    Metropolis, Marburg, 227 S.
  • Beck, S., (2009):
    Von der Beratung zur Verhandlung - Der Fall IPCC
    In: Halfmann, J., Schützenmeister, F., (Hrsg.)
    Organisationen der Forschung: der Fall der Atmosphärenwissenschaft
    VS Verl. für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden, S. 120 - 144
  • Beck, S., (2009):
    Between disgust and trust: state of social science research on the implementation and acceptance of water and wastewater reclamation and re-use (WWT&R)
    In: Hötzl, H., (ed.)
    Sustainable management of available water resources with innovative technologies
    p. 1 - 23
    full text (url)
  • Beck, S., Kuhlicke, C., Görg, C., (2009):
    Climate Policy Integration, Coherence, and Governance in Germany: PEER Climate Change Initiative - Project 2: "Climate Policy Integration, Coherence and Governance"
    UFZ-Bericht 1/2009
    Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, 70 pp.
    full text (url)
  • Mickwitz, P., Aix, F., Beck, S., Cars, D., Ferrand, N., Görg, C., Jensen, A., Kivimaa, P., Kuhlicke, C., Kuindersma, W., Mánez, M., Melanen, M., Monni, S., Pedersen, B.P., Reinert, H., van Bommel, S., (2009):
    Climate policy integration, coherence and governance
    PEER Report 2
    Partnership for European Environmental Research, Helsinki, 92 pp.
    full text (url)

2007

  • Beck, S., (2007):
    A Review of: "Andonova, Liliana B. Transnational Politics of the Environment: The European Union and Environmental Policy in Central and Eastern Europe; Andrew, Jordan, Ed. Environmental Policy in the European Union: Actors, Institutions and Processes; Vig, Norman J. and Michael G. Faure, Eds. Green Giants? Environmental Policies of the United States and the European Union"
    Soc. Nat. Resour. 20 (3), 283 - 289
    full text (url)
  • Görg, C., Beck, S., Berghöfer, A., van den Hove, S., Koetz, T., Korn, H., Leiner, S., Neßhöver, C., Rauschmayer, F., Sharman, M., Wittmer, H., Zaunberger, K., (eds., 2007):
    Workshop Report International Science-Policy Interfaces for Biodiversity Governance - Needs, Challenges, Experiences. A Contribution to the IMoSEB Consultative Process, 2-4 October 2006, Leipzig, Germany
    45 pp.
  • Neßhöver, C., Beck, S., Born, W., Dziock, S., Görg, C., Hansjürgens, B., Jax, K., Köck, W., Rauschmayer, F., Ring, I., Schmidt-Loske, K., Unnerstall, H., Wittmer, H., Henle, K., (2007):
    Das Millennium Ecosystem Assessment - eine deutsche Perspektive
    Nat. Landschaft 82 (6), 262 - 267
  • Neßhöver, C., Beck, S., Görg, C., (2007):
    Debatte um Beratungsgremium. Internationaler Mechanismus zur wissenschaftlichen Expertise zur Biodiversität
    Rundbrief Forum Umwelt und Entwicklung 1/2007 , 25
  • Neßhöver, C., Berghöfer, A., Beck, S., (2007):
    Weltranglisten als Beratungsinstrumente für Umweltpolitik : Eine Einschätzung des Environmental Performance Index
    Ökologie und Wirtschaftsforschung
    Metropolis, Marburg, 114 S.

2006

  • Beck, S., Born, W., Dziock, S., Görg, C., Hansjürgens, B., Henle, K., Jax, K., Köck, W., Neßhöver, C., Rauschmayer, F., Ring, I., Schmidt-Loske, K., Unnerstall, H., Wittmer, H., (2006):
    Die Relevanz des Millennium Ecosystem Assessment für Deutschland
    UFZ-Bericht 2/2006
    UFZ Leipzig-Halle GmbH, Leipzig, 106 S.
    full text (url)

Online Lecture

October 2012: WBGU, Virtuelle Akademie für Nachhaltigkeit, Lecture 9:
“Scientific Advice for Policy”

Logo WBGU

New Publications

Beck, S. (2012): Between Tribalism and Trust: The IPCC under the ‘public microscope.’ Nature and Culture 7(2): 151-173.
find article online
commentary by J. Curry

Beck, S. (2012): From Truth to Trust. Lessons learnt from ‘climategate.’ Hogl, K., Kvarda, E., Nordbeck, R. & Pregernig, M. (eds.): New modes of governance in environmental and natural resource policy: Analytical perspectives and empirical insights. Elgar: Cheltenham: 220-241.
details on the book

Beck, S. (2012): The challenges of building cosmopolitan climate expertise - with reference to Germany. In: Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change: Vol. 3/1, pp. 1-17.
read article online

Hulme, M., Mahony, M., Beck, S. et al. (2011): Science-Policy Interface: Beyond Assessments. In: Science, 5 August 2011, Vol. 333/6043, pp. 697-698, DOI: 10.1126/science.333.6043.697.
online: www.sciencemag.org

Beck, S. (2011): Moving Beyond the Linear Model of Expertise? IPCC and the Test of Adaptation. In: Regional Environmental Change, Vol.11/2, pp. 297-306, DOI: 10.1007/s10113-010-0136-2.
online: www.springerlink.com

Lövbrand, E., Pielke, R. jr. and Beck, S. (2011): A Democracy Paradox in Studies of Science and Technology. In: Science Technology Human Values, Vol. 4/36, pp. 474-496, DOI: 10.1177/0162243910366154.
read article online