IAIA21 Smartening Impact Assessment

Against the backdrop of digital and technological progress, this conference aims to explore related scientific, technological, and governance developments to reflect on whether the impact assessment community is getting any smarter at bridging the science and art of impact assessment. Are we communicating scientific information appropriately across the various governance tiers and to all relevant players? Do we understand what the “right” information is for decision makers and, indeed, how data and methodological innovation are influencing decisions? Is this leading to a new era of impact assessment and thinking? Or do we remain in the status quo? These and some other contemporary questions will help address how we can make best use of scientific innovation to address current practical challenges.