Dear EGU expert,

This month’s Science for Policy Newsletter will highlight a number of the opportunities you’ll have to engage with science for policy during this year’s EGU General Assembly, #vEGU21. It also features some science for policy publications that may be of interest.

If you have any further questions or comments regarding the EGU General Assembly’s policy activities, feel free to get in touch via policy@egu.eu or meet me virtually at one of the science for policy networking sessions!

Best wishes,
Chloe Hill, EGU Policy Officer

This year’s virtual General Assembly is offering more policy-related sessions than any other EGU General Assembly before it! Even if you’re just a bit curious about science for policy, it’s definitely worth adding a couple of the policy-related sessions on offer into your #vEGU21 personal programme! April’s GeoPolicy blog post highlights a number of the science for policy sessions that you can choose from.

Please keep in mind, that this isn’t an exhaustive list! There are a lot of other sessions at the EGU that can be either directly or indirectly linked with science for policy.

This year, #vEGU21 participants will have the opportunity to talk with individuals who are working at the interface of science and policy through 15-minute one-on-one meetings. Those interested in participating are asked to submit their questions via this form by midnight CEST 14 April. Please note that appointments are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Last month’s GeoPolicy blog outlines how scientists can more effectively impact policy by summarising Chapter 5 of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre Science for Policy Handbook. Read the four tips for scientists wanting to achieve policy impact here!

You can also learn more about this chapter of the Science for Policy Handbook during the #vEGU21 Short Course, SC3.4: Your Handbook to Science for Policy on Tuesday 27 April, 10:00–11:00 (CEST). This Short Course will be hosted by one of Handbook’s editors, Marta Sienkiewicz, and JRC’s impact and training expert, Lene Topp.

How science can help us build a more resilient Europe

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has published the book Science for Disaster Risk Management 2020: acting today, protecting tomorrow. With input from over 300 experts, the book highlights the important role of science in preparing Europe for the challenges over the horizon. It aims to provide guidance to the stakeholders who are working together across sectors to reduce disaster risk.

From knowledge brokerage to practical application

A recent Nature publication titled Brokerage at the science-policy interface: from conceptual framework to practical guidance outlines the complex policy dynamics and information asymmetries between research providers and users. It highlights some of the challenges that scientists face when sharing scientific evidence and proposes a set of guidelines to translate the concepts of brokerage to practical application.

COVID-19 has affected our daily lives in an unprecedented range of ways. It is a human, economic and social crisis that has potentially changed the way we live, work and interact with each other forever. Researchers have not been spared from this, facing numerous challenges since the start of the outbreak, both personal and professional.

This is a survey of those in the Earth science research community (in the broadest sense) on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the ability to carry out research and to apply for and secure research funding.

The results will be analysed by the Geological Society to understand the impact on the Earth science community and #vEGU21 Short Course, Examining the impact of COVID-19 on research and the scientific community. Have your say and tell us how you’ve been impacted by COVID here.