In order to tackle challenges facing society, such as climate change, the energy transition, digitalisation, or pandemics, clearly structured, transparent, and fact-based political decision-making processes are needed. Analysis based on science can provide the basis for better-informed decisions. The Leopoldina Forum “Roundtables ‘International Perspectives on Evidence-based Policymaking’ and ‘How to strengthen Evidence-based Policymaking? Strategic Positioning within Government’ – Event Documentation”, offers an international perspective on such evidence-based policy advice as well as best-practice examples for suitable structures that aid effective cooperation between policymakers and science. The paper summarises the findings of two roundtable events that took place as part of the Leopoldina Initiative for Evidence-based Policymaking, launched in 2018.

The Initiative for Evidence-based Policymaking, coordinated by Regina T. Riphahn und Monika Schnitzer, has spent the last few years working in various ways to strengthen cooperation between science and politics. The aim is to overcome institutional barriers and pave the way for more evidence in policy-related decision-making processes.

In the Leopoldina Forum series, the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina documents diverse perspectives on issues that are highly relevant to science and society.