Dear EGU Expert,

This month’s EGU Science for Policy Newsletter highlights several resources for researchers who want to engage in policy and those who are hoping to become science advisors. This month, the EGU is also happy to launch the EGU23 Ask a Science for Policy Expert initiative that will allow EGU23 participants to meet with those working as policymakers or on the interface to have their specific questions answered!

If you have any further questions or comments about the policy opportunities that exist for scientists in Europe, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via policy@egu.eu or on Twitter using @Chl0e_Hill.

Best wishes,
Chloe Hill, EGU Policy Manager

Working on the science-policy interface and providing science advice is an incredibly important role but also one with many challenges and pitfalls. The path to becoming an effective science-policy advisor can also be complicated. A recently published Science Europe report showcases 16 lessons learned from the event Good Advice for (Young) Science-Policy Advisors, which was organised by Science Europe, FORMAS, and the Marie Curie Alumni Association in 2022. The lessons in the report highlight the role that early career researchers can play in science advice, underscore the importance of understanding the perspective and language of policymakers, and encourage researchers to deliver policy-relevant, rather than policy-prescriptive advice.

You can read the full report here and watch the event that inspired the lessons here.

As we often discuss on the EGU’s monthly GeoPolicy blog, science can and should be used to support evidence-informed policymaking. However, there are many factors that will impact the way in which knowledge is used! The Context Matters Framework is a participatory tool developed by the International Network for Advancing Science and Policy and Purpose & Ideas that enables organisations to better understand their aims, strengths, and the area in which they could be effectively engaging. This interactive site introduces the Framework and how it can be used.

SAPEA (Science Advice for Policy by European Academies) is part of the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism. SAPEA provides a range of services to policymakers, researchers, and the public including EU policy news updates, reports on science advice, and insights to those who are hoping to get involved in policy in the future.

The SAPEA podcast is very entertaining and has recently welcomed their 100th “guest”! This episode tunes into the podcast listeners, answering the science for policy questions that they’ve sent in. With so many excellent guests and stories now published, there’s plenty for you to binge if you haven’t yet discovered this podcast. If you’ve already an avid listener, you might also consider signing up for the podcast’s new Slack Channel which will allow you to ask questions and provide your own perspectives on the topics discussed.

While the above resources provide insights into various aspects of science for policy, you may still have questions! To answer your specific questions, EGU will be offering General Assembly participants the opportunity to speak with experts who are working on the interface of science and policy through small group meetings. These meetings will be hosted both virtually and onsite throughout EGU23.

To join one of these meetings, ask your questions and provide your preferences here by April 12. You’ll then be paired with an expert who can address your specific project and interests, putting you on the right track and inspiring you to kick-start your policy engagement!

EGU’s monthly Science for Policy Hangouts give EGU members the opportunity to come together in an informal online space to meet and chat #SciPol and related topics! During our next Science for Policy at 16:00 on Monday 3 April 2023, we’ll be discussing some of the upcoming EGU23 science for policy sessions!

Register and join us here to find out more!