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July 2019

Making sense of science for policy under conditions of complexity and uncertainty

Now more than ever, policymakers need good quality science advice to inform their decisions, and the very policy issues for which scientific input is most needed are the ones where the science itself is often complex and uncertain.

Many of the world’s most pressing problems are also incredibly complex — including climate change, environmental pollution, economic crises and the digital transformation of societies. What’s more, the scientific knowledge around these areas can often be uncertain or contested.

Science is one of many sources of knowledge that inform policy. Its unique strength is that it is based on rigorous enquiry, continuous analysis and debate, providing a set of evidence that can be respected as valid, relevant and reliable.

Science advice supports effective policymaking by providing the best available knowledge, which can then be used to understand a specific problem, generate and evaluate policy options and monitor results of policy implementation. It also provides meaning to the discussion around critical topics within society.  The advice works best when it is guided by the ideal of co-creation of knowledge and policy options between scientists and policymakers.

The relationship between science advisers and policymakers relies on building mutual trust, where both scientists and policymakers are honest about their values and goals.

Scientific knowledge should always inform societal debate and decision-making. Citizens often have their own experiences of the policy issue under consideration and should be included in the ongoing process of deliberation between scientists, policymakers and the public.

Scientific advice

Delivery date

27 July 2019

Supports UN sustainable development goals

Peace, justice and strong institutions

Introductory video

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Resources

The Group of Chief Scientific Advisors responds to the request for advice from the European Commission.

Their policy recommendations are based on the best available scientific evidence.

Making sense of science SO cover
Bibliographic information
DOI
10.2777/80320
ISBN
9789276125570
Licence
Copyright
Cite as
European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Group of Chief Scientific Advisors, (2019). Scientific advice to European policy in a complex world, Publications Office.
The Scientific Opinion is written jointly by the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors. Former Advisors (‘alumni’) may also contribute.
Portrait of Janusz Bujnicki

Janusz Bujnicki

Advisor
Portrait of Pearl Dykstra

Pearl Dykstra

Advisor
Portrait of Elvira Fortunato

Elvira Fortunato

Advisor
Portrait of Nicole Grobert

Nicole Grobert

Advisor
Portrait of Rolf-Dieter Heuer

Rolf-Dieter Heuer

Advisor
Portrait of Carina Keskitalo

Carina Keskitalo

Advisor
Portrait of Paul Nurse

Paul Nurse

Advisor

News

6 July 2020
How to avoid a backlash against experts
A new EU-funded research project has set out to study the role of expertise in democracies, how science should inform political decisions, and how to prevent a populist backlash against the notion of ‘expertise’.
17 November 2019
Unite to defend evidence-informed policy, science advice community tells Commission
Politicians, scientists and civil society need to defend evidence-informed policy as a cornerstone of liberal democracy. This was the #1 message to send to the new European Commission, as voted by Europe’s science advice community at a major event in Helsinki.
9 July 2019
Science advice offers unique benefits to policymakers in tackling global challenges like climate change, say experts
Now more than ever, policymakers need good quality science advice to inform their decisions. Yet — as a new report by European academies highlights — the very policy issues for which scientific input is most needed are the ones where the science itself is often complex and uncertain.

Events

27 April 2022
What are ‘Science4Policy’ competences and why are they crucial for researchers to achieve policy impact?
Online event
Discover the new ‘Science4Policy’ Competence Framework and why it is essential knowledge for researchers and research organisations working at the science-policy interface.
22 March 2021
Research integrity
Online event
An international webinar on the issue of scientific misconduct and support of early-career researchers in reporting such cases.
30 January 2020
Making sense of science at Cambridge
In-person event
A panel discussion on‘Making Sense of Science' was hosted by the Cambridge University Science and Policy Exchange.
4 November 2019
Evidence-informed policy: a Norwegian perspective
In-person event
A seminar hosted by Academia Europaea Bergen Hub assesses the findings of the SAPEA report ‘Making sense of science for policy’ and reflects on what insights might be applied to science advice in Norway.
26 September 2019
European Research & Innovation Days
In-person event with streaming
Our recent report “Making sense of science for policy under conditions of complexity and uncertainty” was discussed on 26 September during a panel debate at the European Research and Innovation Days.
24 September 2019
Roundtable discussion on Making Sense of Science
In-person event
On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, Academia Europaea hosted a roundtable discussion on the topic of "making sense of science" at the Royal Society in London.
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