25/01/2021
Why is multidisciplinary science advice so difficult, and are there ways to make it easier? Should policymakers seek ethics advice as well as science advice? When there is a conflict between the values embedded in different cultural contexts, how can we navigate the conflict sensitively? Christiane Woopen, Paul Nurse and Peter Piot discuss these questions […]
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14/01/2021
Following the publication of a SAPEA evidence review report “Biodegradability of plastics in the open environment” and a Scientific Opinion by the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors of the same title, SAPEA organises a webinar to discuss if biodegradable plastics could help us solve the pollution problem. The event will take place on 4 February at […]
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11/01/2021
What makes science journalism a tough job? How should the media handle the complexities of science advice systems, especially during a pandemic? And when science advice, political controversy and public health get tangled up together, is a journalist the right person to try and unpick them? Miriam Frankel discusses these questions with Toby Wardman of […]
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28/12/2020
How does Angela Merkel’s confidential science and innovation advisory group function? When can industry stakeholders play a role in science advice, and what are the benefits and challenges when they do? In the latest episode of the Science for Policy podcast, Florian Süssenguth discusses these questions with Toby Wardman of SAPEA. We also discuss the […]
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25/12/2020
What joint challenges are faced by policy advisors and TV advisors? Why would a committed scientist make the switch from basic research to the entertainment industry? How serious is Star Trek about ‘getting the science right’? In a special festive episode of the Science for Policy podcast, Dr Erin Macdonald discusses these questions with Toby […]
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18/12/2020
On 2 December 2020, standing delegates of European young academies joined for the first General Assembly of YASAS: the Young Academies Science Advice Structure. After years of informal, yet constructive collaboration and knowledge exchange on topics of concern to early-career researchers, the initiative was taken to create a formal platform for cooperation of European Young […]
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14/12/2020
What does ‘biodegradable plastic’ mean? Can biodegradable plastics help reduce plastic pollution? What policies should be in place to ensure that biodegradable plastics are beneficial to the environment, compared with non-biodegradable plastics? Today, the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism published two major documents dealing with these questions: The SAPEA Evidence Review Report presents the latest […]
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14/12/2020
How is the nature of knowledge changing? What is the impact of the digital revolution on the roles of universities, academies and science advisors? Is democratisation of knowledge always a good thing? Professor Antonio Loprieno discusses these questions with Toby Wardman of SAPEA. We also discuss how to digitally unwrap an Egyptian mummy, whether there […]
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01/12/2020
SAPEA will be hosting a mini-symposium at the International Conference on Global Food Security, on Framings of food and implications for policy, food security and sustainability in Europe on 4 December 2020. The European Commission’s (EC) Scientific Advice Mechanism recently published an Evidence Review Report and a Scientific Opinion with policy recommendations that informed the […]
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30/11/2020
Is there a fundamental tension between democracy and expertise? How can non-experts evaluate experts? When we design science advice systems, should we prioritise independence or interdependence? In our latest podcast episode, Professor Cathrine Holst discusses these questions with Toby Wardman of SAPEA. We also discuss techniques to reduce human error in science advice, how to […]
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