Many of the issues addressed by policy-makers in Europe and elsewhere are highly complex. They require considerable effort and knowledge to understand them, and to develop possible options for managing them. Scientific knowledge has a crucial role to play in informing some of the most important policy decisions in modern societies. This is widely recognised and there is a growing body of guidance on how science should inform policy-making.

To be of use to policy-makers and to benefit the societies these policy-makers serve, science advice should be genuinely independent and of the highest possible quality. The independence of scientific advice is particularly important for decision-takers who are frequently presented with ‘advice’ from interested parties and lobby groups.

Science Academies are well placed to engage in the provision of such independent expert advice for decision-taking. They are associations of outstanding scientists who are able to stand aside from political, industrial or other special interests, in reaching impartial judgements on the science underpinning policy decisions. However, not all academies are experienced in making the scientific excellence of their members available to support political decision-taking. This is why EASAC organises this workshop to strengthen academies in their role as providers of science-based policy advice.

The workshop addresses a professional audience. Participation is possible on inivitation only.