ReFINE (Researching Fracking in Europe) – an independent research consortium focusing on the issue of shale gas and oil exploitation using fracking methods – has published a research paper on public perceptions of fracking in the UK.

Key findings include:

• Policymakers and institutions take a technical approach to discussing fracking. This is limited to promoting an understanding of the safety risks and potential benefits. 
• In contrast, the public have a number of concerns about fracking aside from a scientific understanding of the risks. As a result, these concerns are not properly considered during the policymaking process.
• Public concerns not considered by policymakers can be organised into the following themes: (a) trustworthiness of the institutions involved; (b) importance of inclusive and democratic decision-making; (c) whether alternatives to fracking have been sufficiently considered; and (d) whether the ‘worst case’ scenarios have been properly reflected upon.
• Rather than seeking to persuade the public of the benefits of fracking, policymakers should engage them in dialogue, allowing both sides to learn from the others’ viewpoint.

The paper entitled “Framing ‘fracking’: Exploring public perceptions of hydraulic fracturing in the UK” – was published in the ‘Public Understanding of Science’ journal following a peer review process. Read the press release and find a full text of the article on the ReFINE website (Publications: click on "Public Perception").