One day prior to the opening of the GYA Annual General Meeting and International Conference of Young Scientists 2019, on 29 April, 2019, a pre-conference workshop on science advice for early to mid-career researchers and scientists was held at the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH), in cooperation with the GYA Science Advice working group and the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA).
The workshop began with a key-note talk by Sir Peter Gluckman (INGSA), and a lively panel discussion with science advice experts in different fields (see full programme below). Panelists discussed with participants their practical experiences of informing policy. The second half of the workshop aimed to enhance participants’ ability to provide and engage in science advice for policymaking at all levels of government by involving participants in case studies and learning simulations, in which they took on different roles and actively negotiated a fictional case within the policymaking landscape.
The context of the workshop is the increasing recognition of the role of science advice in the formulation and implementation of evidence-based policy. Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) play a critical role in attaining national, regional and international development and public policy goals. It is important to provide scientific evidence to inform policy decision making to ensure effective and efficient policy formulation and implementation. However, science advice is not always straightforward, as it goes beyond merely providing evidence, requiring open dialogue and mutual understanding.
Programme
| 09:00 | Introduction (GYA/INGSA/IWH): Science Advice and Enlightened Policy-Making Oliver Holtemöller (Vice President, IWH) Koen Vermeir (Global Young Academy) |
| 09:10 | Key-note: Sir Peter Gluckman (INGSA chairman) |
| 09:30 | Introductory Panel – Practical experiences of Science Advice
Panelists: Pearl Dykstra (Director of Research, University of Rotterdam)
Ângela Pereira (Project Leader, EC Joint Research Centre) Rees Kassen (Department of Biology, Univeristy of Ottawa; Past GYA Co-Chair) Oliver Holtemöller (Vice President, IWH)
Moderator: Clarissa Rios Rojas (Founder and Director at Ekpa’palek)
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| 10:30 | Coffee |
| 11:00 | Case-Study Icebreaker: “Carboneria – Competing technology-based economic proposals with multiple stakeholders” |
| 12:00 | Learning Simulation: “Gerontaria – retirement age” – background and 1st cabinet meeting |
| 13:00 | Lunch at IWH |
| 14:00 | Learning Simulation: “Gerontaria – retirement age” – 2nd cabinet meeting, press conference & plenary discussion |
| 16:30 | Concluding remarks |