| Author (Corporate) | European Parliament: European Parliamentary Research Service |
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| Series Title | Briefing |
| Series Details | September 2016 |
| Publication Date | September 2016 |
| Content Type | Journal | Series | Blog |
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Scientific knowledge has become a key element in the policy-making process, alongside societal values and political considerations. As a consequence, stronger science advice systems have been developed to provide timely and useful scientific advice to policy-makers in both legislative and executive bodies. Such systems for the provision of advice integrate various institutions and structures in order to address adequately the specific needs of policy-makers: providing strong scientific expertise in an accessible format; informing the development of long-term policies as well as providing advice during emergencies and crises; and providing advice proactively through foresight activities and reactively at the request of policy-makers. Global challenges put additional pressure on science advice systems, requiring them to address issues that are both multidisciplinary and multijurisdictional. The improvement of cooperation between science advisory bodies across geo-political borders has been recognised. Experts also call for the definition of common guidelines and principles for the production of science advice. In the European Union, systems are evolving at national level as well as in the EU institutions. Following the abolition of the position of Chief Scientific Adviser to the President of the European Commission in 2014, the Commission established the Science Advice Mechanism (SAM), consisting of a 'High-level Group' and a secretariat in DG Research, supported by a platform for European and national academies. The SAM aims to improve the coordination of the science advice system within the European Commission, as well as interaction with the science advice systems of Member States. This briefing updates an earlier edition, of June 2015. Author: Vincent Reillon See also the separate Briefing 'The Scientific Advice Mechanism' (via related url hyperlink below): After abolishing the post of Chief Scientific Officer in November 2014, the President of the European Commission announced the creation of the Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) in March 2015. The main component of the SAM is the High-level Group (HLG) of seven prominent scientists charged with providing the Commission with independent scientific advice on specific policy issues, either at the request of the Commission or pro-actively. The HLG is expected to work effectively with existing advisory bodies such as the Joint Research Centre, national academies and the wider scientific community. The HLG is assisted by a dedicated SAM secretariat located within the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. The members of the HLG were appointed in November 2015 and began work in January 2016. In order to harvest the full potential of national academies to provide scientific advice at European level, the Commission has supported the establishment of a European platform led by European networks of academies. The Science Advice for Policy by the European Academies (SAPEA) platform is expected to enter into operation in October 2016 with a grant of €6 million provided for four years under the Horizon 2020 framework programme for research. |
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| Source Link | http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2016/589777/EPRS_BRI(2016)589777_EN.pdf |
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| Subject Categories | Culture, Education and Research, Politics and International Relations |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
