This project aims to improve the understanding of the socio-political challenges facing shale development in the UK.  We will research the public perceptions of the issue, national and local policy debates ('frames') around shale gas and fracking, and formal processes of public engagement and participation on the matter.

To provide a better understanding of public perceptions on fracking and the actors and processes of its governance, as well as the public acceptability of shale development in the UK, we will carry out two nationally representative surveys of public perceptions, as well as in-depth interviewing in a local community case study (the Fylde, Lancashire).  

Policy debates will be analysed via expert interviews and a content analysis of political language to better understand the arguments ('frames') put forward by supporters of fracking.  We will also study the challenge to this and conclude how these debates have shaped and continue to shape UK policy. Finally, we will research the formal processes of public engagement and participation in order to assess the extent to which they help to resolve or amplify public acceptance for shale development in the UK.

The primary benefit of the research will be to provide both a better understanding of the scale and nature of the social and political challenges facing shale gas development in UK, as well as delivering a better understanding of the potential of public participation and engagement to help address these challenges.

Sussex (Science Policy Research Unit)  – Fracking, Framing and Effective Participation

The Team