NSF Org: |
SES Divn Of Social and Economic Sciences |
Recipient: |
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Initial Amendment Date: | April 25, 2016 |
Latest Amendment Date: | April 26, 2016 |
Award Number: | 1558264 |
Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
Program Manager: |
Melanie Hughes
mehughes@nsf.gov (703)292-0000 SES Divn Of Social and Economic Sciences SBE Direct For Social, Behav & Economic Scie |
Start Date: | May 1, 2016 |
End Date: | April 30, 2021 (Estimated) |
Total Intended Award Amount: | $180,595.00 |
Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $180,595.00 |
Funds Obligated to Date: |
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History of Investigator: |
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Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
3 RUTGERS PLZ NEW BRUNSWICK NJ US 08901-8559 (848)932-0150 |
Sponsor Congressional District: |
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Primary Place of Performance: |
4 Huntington Street New Brunswick NJ US 08901-1071 |
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District: |
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Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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Parent UEI: |
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NSF Program(s): | Sociology |
Primary Program Source: |
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Program Reference Code(s): | |
Program Element Code(s): |
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Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.075 |
ABSTRACT
Collaborative Research: The Role of Information & Influence Campaigns in Structuring Public Responses to U.S. Policy, 1988-2015
There is a growing consensus that public debate has been transformed through the increased use of information and influence campaigns (IICs) by a range of organizations to affect political decision-making around a variety of nationally important issues. This research aims to explain the extent and impact of these strategic communications campaigns. To do this, the project: (1) maps which organizations participate in specific national issue debates; (2) conducts an extended analysis of communications tools and tactics used in public contexts for purposes of influence; and (3) examines the viewpoints and motivations guiding the actors who carry out these activities. The project considers the political contests and the coordination of resources among a wide variety of actors, including corporations, trade associations, research institutes, regulatory bodies, advocacy organizations, and governmental and non-governmental organizations over a 27-year period from 1988-2015. This research supports efforts to increase the role of the behavioral sciences in the federal government's policy development and implementation. This research informs policy makers about the complex processes of interaction that are part of the design and development of policy, and thus contribute to policy makers' ability to better engage businesses and the public in the development and implementation of government policy. It also contributes to multiple areas of research in sociology, political science and media studies.
The overall objective of this research is to critically inquire into the extent, influence, and impact of professional advocacy campaigns on debates in the public sphere. The research will explain the extent and impact of strategic communications campaigns on political and public responses to specific policy efforts. To achieve this goal, the project maps the organization of one specific public policy area and analyzes the factors that influence its shape over time. The researchers conduct an extended analysis of communications tools and tactics used in public contexts for purposes of influence. The researchers also carry out extended field observations and interviews to develop a situated understanding of the viewpoints, motivations, and schemes guiding the actors who carry out these activities. Combining methods from sociology and communication studies, the researchers will (a) apply a macro-level network analysis to map which organizations have been featured in this issue arena between 1988 and 2015, what functions they serve, and how media and government forums help to establish each organization's level of prominence and legitimacy; (b) gather organizational characteristics to define and analyze the factors that drive the nature, extent, and impact of professional advocacy in this issue area (meso-level analysis); (c) conduct semi-structured interviews and observations at major industry events to assess the motives and rationales of the actors who create information and influence campaigns in this issue arena (micro-level analysis). The research contributes to understanding how social networks and institutional arrangements shape participants' understandings and thinking about policy issues. The research can assist scholars, policy advocates, and policymakers in developing better communications strategies that target particular publics and lead to more efficacious policy development.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
The overall objective of this research was to critically inquire into the extent, influence, and impact of professional advocacy campaigns on debates in the Climate Change Public Sphere (CCPS). All three of the strategic objectives have been accomplished and the scope of work has been completed.
Objective 1 was to map the organization of the national CCPS and analyze the factors that influence its shape over time. Objective 2 was to define and analyze the factors that drive the nature, extent, and impact of professional advocacy in the CCPS. Objective 3 was to assess the motives and rationales of the actors who create information and influence campaigns in the CCPS.
To support this work, three graduate RAs and three undergraduate RAs were actively employed.
Co-PIs Robert Brulle and Melissa Aronczyk prepared publications and delivered presentations for both academic and public audiences to disseminate the findings of these objectives.
In all, five peer reviewed articles, four book chapters, and four other publications have been published. Thirteen academic and public presentations have been given in national settings. Additionally, two articles are under review and two papers are in development.
The project has also culminated in a book, to be published in November 2021 with Oxford University Press. The book, A Strategic Nature: Public Relations and the Politics of Environmentalism, is authored by myself and co-author Maria I. Espinoza, who was the primary Graduate Research Assistant for this NSF project. This book, along with our publications and presentations, make important contributions to the principal disciplines identified in this project: sociology and communication studies.
The second achievement of this project is to contribute to the larger dialogue around societal understanding of climate change. The current understanding of climate change political activity focuses on a narrow range of institutions. For the most part, this involves think tanks, trade associations, and advocacy organizations. This viewpoint neglects the role of public relations activities in this political arena. This research has expanded societal understanding of the political and cultural processes underlying climate change policy and will, we hope, lead to more efficacious strategies to address this issue.
Last Modified: 06/06/2021
Modified by: Melissa Aronczyk
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