Session Description
Community-level effects on mental health and wellbeing from environmental disruptions, such as major construction projects, pollution, plant closures and natural disasters, have been recognised for decades. Though these psycho-social impacts are now being referred to in legislation, such as in Canada, systematic reporting of evidence and the allocation of resources to provide effective responses are far from common. This small footprint suggests promise but also a certain lack of legitimacy for PSIA in the eyes of key decision-makers within assessment firms, with clients, and with governments. What can we do about that?
This session involves a roundtable discussion involving seasoned practitioners of PSIA and conference attendees. Discussion will explore their respective experiences of - and strategies for - legitimizing elements of PSIA in social, health and environmental impact assessment. A particular focus will be impacts on marginalized groups, such as Indigenous communities, migrants, or groups distinguished by economic disadvantage or social class, race, gender, age or neurodiversity.
The format features an opening discussion of why audience members attended the session and then a short recap of fundamentals of PSIA. The bulk of the session is a modified fishbowl format. That is, professional experiences will be discussed by a rotating cast of members of the audience, who will self-nominate to dive into the fishbowl with members of the ongoing PSIA working group. The ‘bowl’ will be surrounded by the rest of the audience. A larger attendance will mean splitting the audience into multiple fish bowls. The session will close with a synthesis.
Session Summary
Effects on community mental health from environmental disruptions have been recognised for decades. Yet, systematic reporting and support for effective responses are not common. How can we make psycho-social impacts legitimate in the eyes of key decision-makers in assessment firms, with clients, and with governments.
Additional Information
A closing synthesis will highlight shared challenges and strategies to address them. Participants will be invited to monthly meetings of the PSIA working group - who have published FasTips, a Wikipedia page and several well-attended IAIA webinars. This session complements Edelstein's proposed panel session examining his Hawaii geothermal PSIA in depth.
Co-facilitators include Laurence Lepine, WSP Canada; Ruari Carthew, R(E)C Consulting Sweden; and Mike Edelstein, Ramapo College of New Jersey, USA.
Session Chair
Will Rifkin
University of Newcastle, Australia
Australia
Session Co-chair
Helen Ross
University of Queensland
Australia