Editors' Introduction

• Author: Kimberley R. Isett,Brian W. Head,Gary Van Landingham
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/puar.12636
• Published date: 01 January 2017
• Date: 01 January 2017

Evidence in Public

Administration

Editors’

Introduction

12 Public Administration Review • January | February 2017

Public Administration Review,

Vol. 77, Iss. 1, pp. 12. © 2016 by

The American Society for Public Administration.

DOI: 10.1111/puar.12636.

I n this issue ’ s Evidence in Public Administration

feature, we explore perspectives on the use of

evidence in addressing complex issues of water

policy in times of climate uncertainties. The essay by

Rob Skinner, writing as a water sector practitioner,

provides some perspectives about the changing

roles of evidence and political leadership. Drawing

upon practical examples, he argues that scientific

modeling and options analysis are necessary but

insufficient for developing effective strategies. In his

view, coping with complexity while engaging with

a full range of stakeholders requires a new inclusive

approach to leadership and governance itself. In

response, the commentary by Tanya Heikkila

discusses how research from water governance

scholars supports and complements Skinner ’ s

arguments. She focuses on how this complex

decision-making context shapes how evidence is

actually used and understood in water governance.

Some lessons are also drawn for practitioners

about the limitations of using evidence in water

governance.

Kimberley R. Isett

Georgia Institute of Technology

Brian W. Head

University of Queensland, Australia

Gary Van Landingham

Pew Charitable Trusts