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Abstract

Though earth sciences like geology and climate science are of critical importance to our efforts to confront contemporary challenges, they, like all sciences, face unprecedented levels of suspicion and contestation. In this video, ETIENNE BENSON shows us how the history of river studies helps to explain this state of affairs. Benson notes how systematic studies of rivers in the USA have been conducted since the late nineteenth century. Where the data collected was originally employed primarily for local benefit, Benson highlights a change in the mid-twentieth century which saw river studies becoming more mathematical, quantitative and focused on national policy. For Benson, this shift led to a disconnect between local river users, river scientists and policy makers and he argues that a similar process can be observed in many other disciplines which helps to explain contemporary distrust toward science more generally.