Simon Niemeyer

Simon.Niemeyer@anu.edu.au

Simon Niemeyer is an early career researcher (ECR) and one of the first in the field of deliberative democracy to systematically examine the processes of preference transformation of individuals participating in democratic discourse. His research findings challenge a number of assumptions underlying deliberative theory. For example, he has shown that deliberation serves as much a corrective function to distorted preferences as a constructive one of preference formation. This raises the possibility of approaching the ideals deliberative democracy in large, disparate populations by correcting these distortions at source. His work also points to a strong connection between democratic deepening and ecological sustainability where populations are responsive to ecological imperatives.

Apart from the ANU, he has conducted past research at the University of Cambridge, University of Birmingham and CSIRO (Australia). He has collaborated with a large number of researchers from Australia, USA and Europe. As well as deliberative democracy, other areas of past research include greenhouse gas policy instruments, climate change and society (perceptions of risk, responses etc.), energy technologies and society, the role of knowledge in shaping environmental values and environmental administration.

Selected Publications

Niemeyer, S. J. and J. S. Dryzek (Forthcoming). "The Ends of Deliberation: Metaconsensus and Intersubjective Rationality as Deliberative Ideals." Swiss Political Science Review.

Niemeyer S.J (2007). "Intersubjective Rationality: Measuring deliberative quality" presented to Political Science Seminar, RSSS, ANU. July.

Dryzek, J. S. and Niemeyer, S. J. (2006). Discursive Representation, Paper Presented at Rethinking Democratic Representation Workshop. University of British Columbia, 18-19 May.

Dryzek, J. S. and Niemeyer, S. J. (2006). "Reconciling Pluralism and Consensus as Political Ideals", American Journal of Political Science, 50(3): 634-649.

Niemeyer S. J. and Dryzek, J. S. (2006) Understanding the micropolitics of deliberation: integrating theory and practice. Working paper submitted to Deliberative Democracy Consortium E-bulletin.

Niemeyer, S., J. Petts, et al. (2005). "Rapid Climate Change and Society: Assessing Responses and Thresholds." Risk Analysis 25(6): 1443–1456.

Niemeyer, S.J., 2005. Preference transformation through deliberation: protecting world heritage. In Developing Alternatives for Valuing Nature, edited by M. Getzner, C. Spash and S. Stagl. Abington: Routledge.

Niemeyer, S.J., 2004. Deliberation for the wilderness: displacing symbolic politics. Environmental Politics 13 (2).

Petts, J. and S. J. Niemeyer (2004). "Health risk communication and amplification: learning from the MMR vaccination controversy." Health, Risk and Society 6(1): 7–23.

Goodin, R.E., and S.J. Niemeyer. 2003. When does deliberation begin? Internal reflection versus public discussion in deliberative democracy. Political Studies 51 (4).

Niemeyer, S. J. and Spash, C. L., 2001, “Environmental valuation, public deliberation and their pragmatic syntheses: a critical appraisal”, Environment and Planning C, 19, pp.567-585

Kellow, A. and Niemeyer, S.J., 1999, “The development of environmental administration in Queensland and Western Australia: Why are they different?”, Australian Journal of Political Science, 34, pp.205-222.

Niemeyer, S. J. and J. G.Tisdell, 1998, “Consumer-Based Carbon Reduction Incentives: A Proposed Mixed Incentive for Reducing CO₂ Emissions from Transport”, Economic Analysis and Policy, 28, pp.53-67.

Other (Working Papers, reports etc.)

Niemeyer, S. J. and R. K. Blamey (2003). The Far North Queensland Citizens' Jury. Land and Water Australia, Canberra.

Niemeyer, S. J. (2002). Deliberation in the wilderness: transforming policy preferences through discourse. Social and Political Theory, Research School of Social Sciences. PhD Thesis, Canberra, The Australian National University.

Niemeyer, S. J. (2000). Cogito ergo sylva amo: the coevolution of science and environmental values. Cambridge, Cambridge Research for the Environment, Department of Land Economy, Cambridge University.