Benjamin Hofmann
Biographic Data
| ID | 3731392 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Benjamin Hofmann |
| GIVEN NAMES | Benjamin |
| FAMILY NAME | Hofmann |
| SIGNATURE | HOFMANN B |
| AFFILIATIONS | Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-5639-098X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 10 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 18 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 10 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2019 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Scientific and societal relevance in inter- and transdisciplinary research. Navigating tensions, harnessing potentials
Achieving both scientific and societal relevance in inter- and transdisciplinary research presents significant challenges. Drawing on three empirical examples, this paper demonstrates how emerging tensions can be transformed into productive potentials that stimulate reflection, foster integration, and drive innovation—highlighting the strategies and conditions necessary for successfully harnessing these potentials.In response to contemporary soci…
Salient and contested scientific evidence in debates over sustainable transformation: Pesticide policymaking in Switzerland
Research indicates that the increased use of scientific evidence is an important lever for transforming policy toward sustainability goals. We explore how actors use scientific evidence in contests over policy transformation in the agri-food sector. Theoretically, we build on prior research on evidence use in policymaking and the 3i ́s —ideas, interests, and institutions—that constitute policy regimes. We argue that some pieces of scientific evid…
Pick of the crop: Understanding the choice of scientific and experiential evidence in Swiss pesticide discourse
In political discourse, speakers use scientific and experiential evidence. Both types can inform policy making, yet little is known about when political actors turn to experiential evidence to back their statements. In this article, we examine factors that influence the selection of scientific and experiential evidence in political discourses. Using data from a quantitative content analysis, we assess the influence of (1) issue polarisation, (2) …
Roles of researchers in inter- and transdisciplinary sustainability research: A Reflection Tool
Inter- and transdisciplinary (ITD) research is increasingly called for and supported to promote sustainable transformation through knowledge co-production, knowledge integration, and solution development. The paper explores what is needed to support researchers in reflecting on their new roles in ITD research. We introduce a reflection tool that makes the growing literature on researchers’ roles in sustainability science applicable to ITD project…
A typology of interdisciplinary collaborations: Insights From Agri-Food Transformation Research
To understand complex societal transformations, scholars have called for more interdisciplinary research in which researchers from various disciplines collaborate. To support the implementation of such collaborations, we introduce a novel typology of interdisciplinary collaborations developed from the literature and from structured reflection on our own research experience. The typology distinguishes (I) common base, (II) common destination, and …
Persuasive innovators for environmental policy: Green Business Influence Through Technology-Based Arguing
Green industries and companies provide crucial political support for ambitious environmental policy. In this article, I examine through which mechanisms green business interests influence international environmental negotiations. I theorize technology-based arguing as an influence mechanism that builds on combined technological and discursive power and can outstrip relational and structural business power rooted in material resources. I probe the…
Barriers to evidence use for sustainability: Insights from pesticide policy and practice
Calls for supporting sustainability through more and better research rest on an incomplete understanding of scientific evidence use. We argue that a variety of barriers to a transformative impact of evidence arises from diverse actor motivations within different stages of evidence use. We abductively specify this variety in policy and practice arenas for three actor motivations (truth-seeking, sense-making, and utility-maximizing) and five stages…
Mainstreaming Earth System Governance into the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
The objectives and challenges of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development stress the need to generate new knowledge about ocean problems, involve multiple stakeholders, and develop solutions for sustainable ocean development. In this perspective article, I argue that Earth System Governance (ESG) research could contribute significantly to addressing these needs. First, it can identify salient frames for ocean problems that trigg…
The impossible energy trinity: Energy security, sustainability, and sovereignty in cross-border electricity systems
The article explores energy policy tradeoffs faced by states that expand renewable electricity production and are part of cross-border electricity systems. We develop the concept of an impossible energy trinity (IET), which posits that many states cannot simultaneously achieve energy security, sustainability, and sovereignty. We argue that these states have three options to cope with the challenge of intermittent electricity production from domes…
Following, Challenging, or Shaping: Can Third Countries Influence EU Energy Policy
Can non-EU member states influence the EU’s energy policy? The Europeanization of energy policy in third countries is often described as a one-directional process in which these countries essentially adopt the EU energy acquis . Our article questions this dominant view by exploring whether and how third countries can influence the formulation and implementation of EU energy policy. We argue that relative differences in third country influence dep…
Following, Challenging, or Shaping: Can Third Countries Influence EU Energy Policy
Can non-EU member states influence the EU’s energy policy? The Europeanization of energy policy in third countries is often described as a one-directional process in which these countries essentially adopt the EU energy acquis . Our article questions this dominant view by exploring whether and how third countries can influence the formulation and implementation of EU energy policy. We argue that relative differences in third country influence dep…
Roles of researchers in inter- and transdisciplinary sustainability research: A Reflection Tool
Inter- and transdisciplinary (ITD) research is increasingly called for and supported to promote sustainable transformation through knowledge co-production, knowledge integration, and solution development. The paper explores what is needed to support researchers in reflecting on their new roles in ITD research. We introduce a reflection tool that makes the growing literature on researchers’ roles in sustainability science applicable to ITD project…
Barriers to evidence use for sustainability: Insights from pesticide policy and practice
Calls for supporting sustainability through more and better research rest on an incomplete understanding of scientific evidence use. We argue that a variety of barriers to a transformative impact of evidence arises from diverse actor motivations within different stages of evidence use. We abductively specify this variety in policy and practice arenas for three actor motivations (truth-seeking, sense-making, and utility-maximizing) and five stages…
The impossible energy trinity: Energy security, sustainability, and sovereignty in cross-border electricity systems
The article explores energy policy tradeoffs faced by states that expand renewable electricity production and are part of cross-border electricity systems. We develop the concept of an impossible energy trinity (IET), which posits that many states cannot simultaneously achieve energy security, sustainability, and sovereignty. We argue that these states have three options to cope with the challenge of intermittent electricity production from domes…
A typology of interdisciplinary collaborations: Insights From Agri-Food Transformation Research
To understand complex societal transformations, scholars have called for more interdisciplinary research in which researchers from various disciplines collaborate. To support the implementation of such collaborations, we introduce a novel typology of interdisciplinary collaborations developed from the literature and from structured reflection on our own research experience. The typology distinguishes (I) common base, (II) common destination, and …
Following, Challenging, or Shaping: Can Third Countries Influence EU Energy Policy
Can non-EU member states influence the EU’s energy policy? The Europeanization of energy policy in third countries is often described as a one-directional process in which these countries essentially adopt the EU energy acquis . Our article questions this dominant view by exploring whether and how third countries can influence the formulation and implementation of EU energy policy. We argue that relative differences in third country influence dep…
Mainstreaming Earth System Governance into the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
The objectives and challenges of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development stress the need to generate new knowledge about ocean problems, involve multiple stakeholders, and develop solutions for sustainable ocean development. In this perspective article, I argue that Earth System Governance (ESG) research could contribute significantly to addressing these needs. First, it can identify salient frames for ocean problems that trigg…
The impossible energy trinity: Energy security, sustainability, and sovereignty in cross-border electricity systems
The article explores energy policy tradeoffs faced by states that expand renewable electricity production and are part of cross-border electricity systems. We develop the concept of an impossible energy trinity (IET), which posits that many states cannot simultaneously achieve energy security, sustainability, and sovereignty. We argue that these states have three options to cope with the challenge of intermittent electricity production from domes…
Barriers to evidence use for sustainability: Insights from pesticide policy and practice
Calls for supporting sustainability through more and better research rest on an incomplete understanding of scientific evidence use. We argue that a variety of barriers to a transformative impact of evidence arises from diverse actor motivations within different stages of evidence use. We abductively specify this variety in policy and practice arenas for three actor motivations (truth-seeking, sense-making, and utility-maximizing) and five stages…
Persuasive innovators for environmental policy: Green Business Influence Through Technology-Based Arguing
Green industries and companies provide crucial political support for ambitious environmental policy. In this article, I examine through which mechanisms green business interests influence international environmental negotiations. I theorize technology-based arguing as an influence mechanism that builds on combined technological and discursive power and can outstrip relational and structural business power rooted in material resources. I probe the…
Salient and contested scientific evidence in debates over sustainable transformation: Pesticide policymaking in Switzerland
Research indicates that the increased use of scientific evidence is an important lever for transforming policy toward sustainability goals. We explore how actors use scientific evidence in contests over policy transformation in the agri-food sector. Theoretically, we build on prior research on evidence use in policymaking and the 3i ́s —ideas, interests, and institutions—that constitute policy regimes. We argue that some pieces of scientific evid…
Pick of the crop: Understanding the choice of scientific and experiential evidence in Swiss pesticide discourse
In political discourse, speakers use scientific and experiential evidence. Both types can inform policy making, yet little is known about when political actors turn to experiential evidence to back their statements. In this article, we examine factors that influence the selection of scientific and experiential evidence in political discourses. Using data from a quantitative content analysis, we assess the influence of (1) issue polarisation, (2) …
Roles of researchers in inter- and transdisciplinary sustainability research: A Reflection Tool
Inter- and transdisciplinary (ITD) research is increasingly called for and supported to promote sustainable transformation through knowledge co-production, knowledge integration, and solution development. The paper explores what is needed to support researchers in reflecting on their new roles in ITD research. We introduce a reflection tool that makes the growing literature on researchers’ roles in sustainability science applicable to ITD project…
A typology of interdisciplinary collaborations: Insights From Agri-Food Transformation Research
To understand complex societal transformations, scholars have called for more interdisciplinary research in which researchers from various disciplines collaborate. To support the implementation of such collaborations, we introduce a novel typology of interdisciplinary collaborations developed from the literature and from structured reflection on our own research experience. The typology distinguishes (I) common base, (II) common destination, and …
Scientific and societal relevance in inter- and transdisciplinary research. Navigating tensions, harnessing potentials
Achieving both scientific and societal relevance in inter- and transdisciplinary research presents significant challenges. Drawing on three empirical examples, this paper demonstrates how emerging tensions can be transformed into productive potentials that stimulate reflection, foster integration, and drive innovation—highlighting the strategies and conditions necessary for successfully harnessing these potentials.In response to contemporary soci…
Economics (6 works) · Political science (6 works) · Business (5 works) · Sustainability (4 works) · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance (4 works) · Computer Science (3 works) · Corporate governance (3 works) · Engineering (3 works) · Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration (3 works) · Law (3 works)