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Previous studies on the science–policy interface concentrate mostly on institutional arrangements that facilitate the information exchange between scientists and policymakers, but few address the internal structure of the scientist community and its impact on policy-making. Considering that science emerges from academic competition, the examination of the power balance within the scientist community is crucial for understanding political outcomes in the science–policy interface. This study applies social network analysis to the scientist community of grassland management in China and demonstrates that the structure of the scientist community exerts a significant influence on the formation of environmental policies. The dominance of ecologists inside the community led to the prevalence of the overgrazing-causes-degradation narrative. Though anthropologists later questioned the narrative, their capacity to challenge the authority of ecologists was circumscribed by their small group size, weak intra-group connection, and limited political affiliation. This resulted in the persistence of biased policies that continue to blame local communities for environmental problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]