Tending the environmental science ecosystem - Sabine Apitz, SETAC Europe President

Ahead of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual European conference in Vienna (11-15th May), I caught up with Sabine Apitz, SETAC Europe President and Editor-in-Chief of the academic journal Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management (IEAM). Sabine and I had a fascinating discussion about environmental science, the scientific community, and the emergence and application of scientific knowledge. We discussed some of the pressing issues and challenges facing the SETAC community, and society at large. Sabine also shared some of what we could look forward to at the upcoming Vienna conference and the 9th SETAC World Congress (and first to be held in Africa) later this year. Our conversation covers: Sabine’s background and career journeyThe emergence and application of scientific knowledgeUsing tools and models to inform environmental policy, and appreciating their limitationsSabine’s experience working as an independent consultantThe role of scientists from different backgrounds in science and policy discussionsPublic representation at SETAC and in broader environmental discourseReflections on the current political environment for science and society at largeDealing with complexity in trying to understand ecosystemsSabine’s own experience with podcastingAn unexpected finding from an investigation into hygiene productsUpcoming SETAC events – Vienna and Johannesburg This is a great one for anyone interested in learning more about SETAC, the organisation that brings together scientists from across disciplines to study the issue of chemicals in the environment and to inform science-based environmental decisions. Links from the discussion:SETAC website: SETACVienna conference: SETAC Europe 35th Annual MeetingWorld Congress event: SETAC 9th World CongressIEAM academic journal: Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management | Oxford AcademicSabine's editorial (published in 2017): Science, antiscience, and environmental decision making: A call to action | Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management | Oxford Academic(co-authors: Thomas Backhaus, Peter M Chapman, Wayne Landis, Glenn Suter)Sabine's podcast: Join the Dots | jointhedots(co-hosts: Ece Ozdemiroglu and Jill Duggan)Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com