If you would like to inform others about an EU geoscience-relevant news item
or opportunity that is not listed below, please forward the details to the
EGU’s Policy Manager, Chloe Hill
via policy@egu.eu.
A recent report on Portugal’s science-advisory ecosystem has been published by the EU Commission’s Joint Research Centre as part of their series on “Strengthening and connecting science for policy eco-systems in Europe”. The key challenges identified in Portugal’s system include recognising the benefits of science advice, the promotion of a science and policymaking dialogue, moving from personal trust to building institutional trust, stimulating academic engagement, and increasing transparency.
The International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) has launched the new podcast INGSA Horizons to host great conversations at the intersection between science, policy and society! You can listen to individual episodes as they explore the critical space between science ad policy.
A recent report on Greece’s science-advisory ecosystem has been published by the EU Commission’s Joint Research Centre as part of their series on “Strengthening and connecting science for policy eco-systems in Europe”. The study identifies a plethora of institutions that provide scientific input towards policymakers while also outlining certain challenges with respect to their impact. It was found that policymakers are hesitant to follow advice coming from impersonal scientific organisations and opt to trust personal advisers and experts within their partisan network. Finally, the analysis provides advice in view of mitigating this phenomenon; it proposes the co-creation of policies while also urging policymakers and experts to engage more constructively and establish permanent communication channels.
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has recently launched the Competence Framework ‘Science for Policy’ for researchers. This Framework outlines the different competencies that research organisations need to effectively work at the science-policy interface. It unpacks the collective set of skills, knowledge, and attitudes desired at four different proficiency levels. It’s hoped that organisations can use this framework to see where their strengths and skill gaps are!
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre will be holding a workshop series on “Strengthening and connecting science for policy eco-systems in Europe” until late 2022. The objectives of this workshop series are to map the science for policy mechanisms used by the different EU Member States and gain insights into how they might be strengthened. They also aim to connect professionals and researchers who have an interest and/or expertise in evidence for policy mechanisms on a national level.