Gabriel Antwi-Boasiako BSc, MSc, MPhil

Dr. Clark and I have been working on decision-making and policy processes of wildlife diseases, specifically zoonosis (diseases transmitted between humans and animals). The research, which is part of the “Characterizing and Enhancing Wildlife Disease Policy Processes with Specific Application to Pandemic Zoonoses “project is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Canada.

The aim is to characterize the policy and decision-making processes in the social, political, and health context of human-wildlife diseases transmission, particularly zoonosis. Specifically, we focus on how decisions are made, who are involved and excluded in the process, representatives’ roles (direct and indirect), power and influence, and selection criteria. Getting the decision-making process “right” is pivotal and must take a holistic approach. Usually, the missing piece in the puzzle is the absence (deliberate, accidental, unknowingly) or under-representation of key stakeholders, who are mostly affected by the outcome of the final decisions. Apart from “missing” from decision-making tables, there are also instances whereby key stakeholders are partially “consulted” instead of active and full inclusion in the entire decision-making process. Additionally, we are interested in institutional coordination and power relations among various decision-making institutions. We are working with stakeholders from diverse background such as First Nation Governments, Indigenous communities, farmers, co-management organizations, academic researchers, provincial and territorial governments in Saskatchewan and Yukon, Canada. Understanding the process of collective decision-making by all stakeholders will contribute to robust decisions and policies which could be accepted and used by all stakeholders.