Environmental Regulation of GM Crops: a transdisciplinary study
Fern Wickson
Faculty of Science/Faculty of Arts
Fern Wickson studied a BA/BSc at the
Australian National University and completed an Honours degree in Political
Science at the University of Tasmania. With a general interest in environmental
issues, Fern is currently integrating her knowledge of the natural and social
sciences through a transdisciplinary PhD examining Australia’s environmental
regulation of genetically modified (GM) crops.
The rapid commercialisation of genetically modified (GM) crops has generated intense debate. Governments are under increasing pressure to control any negative impacts these organisms may have, not only on human health, but also on the environment. With widespread scientific uncertainty surrounding the potential environmental impact of GM crops, the appropriate role for science in these policy decisions is also subject to debate. Fern’s PhD research explores the role that science plays in Australia’s regulatory decision making for GM crops. Fern has begun by exploring how Australia’s regulatory system has been framed by legislation, particularly the degree of authority granted scientific knowledge. The second key component of the research involves a detailed investigation into the way in which science is used in the decision making process. She has used, as a case study, the approval of insect-resistant GM cotton. Through this research into the use of science for policy, Fern aims to assist the development of sound processes for environmental decision-making. This research is therefore not a typical scientific study. It is instead a metastudy of science; an examination of science in a social context.
Fern shares something of herself: “I am 28 years old and currently live in a small coastal village to the north of Wollongong, although my partner and I own a house in Tasmania that I hope to return to one day. I grew up on a property in western NSW and this instilled in me a love of wide open spaces and animal companions. We currently share our coastal home with two gorgeous Norwegian Elkhounds (and on occasion their puppies). I am passionate about environmental issues and hope to continue combining activism with academia when I complete the PhD. While I have sometimes experienced pressure from the scientific community to sideline my emotions and downplay my intuition, as I work across the divide between the natural and social sciences I am discovering new ways of thinking about what it means to be a woman in science.”
