Dear EGU Expert,

This month's Newsletter provides you with the opportunity of pitching your research to a policymaker at EGU26, a new GeoPolicy blog post featuring an interview with Marie Cavitte, the starter kit series by the European Research Executive Agency (REA), and two upcoming events on the science policy interface: STOA high-level conference on academic freedom and Geneva Science Diplomacy Week.

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

Best wishes,

Science for Policy Team

If you’re attending EGU26 in person and would like to practice pitching your research to policymakers, you can submit your research topic or project here and join us from 10:45 - 12:30 CEST, Tuesday 5 May to give your pitch to a panel of science for policy experts!

After a short presentation on how researchers can effectively pitch (or present) their research to policymakers, these experts will listen to your pitch, give you feedback, and provide insights on areas that you can improve when discussing your research with policymakers in the future.

Submit your research now as timeslots will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis!

This month, the EGU’s official blog, GeoLog, features a new interview with Marie Cavitte, the policy officer for the Cryospheric Sciences Division and a member of the Climate Hazards and Risk Task Force. In the interview, Marie shares her experience about the European Commission Blue Book Traineeship programme that she completed with the Directorate-General Climate Action (DG CLIMA) in 2024.

As a glaciologist and climatologist, Marie reflects on the role of her scientific expertise during the traineeship, how the traineeship experience contributed to her science-policy skills, and many more valuable insights about these 5 intense and rewarding months.

You can read Marie's interview here. If you want to prepare for the next round of the Blue Book Traineeship applications, the application period will open from 10:00 CET, 16 March 2026.

European Research Executive Agency (REA) of the European Commission has published a starter kit series to support researchers in sharing scientific evidence with policymakers. As advertised here in previous months, the first guide provides general advice on policy engagement and impact, while the second guide includes step-by-step guidance for EU-funded research and innovation projects on developing clear and impactful policy briefs.

The third guide of the series "Disseminating and exploiting results" aims to help researchers engage a broader range of stakeholders beyond policymakers - such as academia and industry. It offers practical tools, resources and hands-on guidance.

Together, the series serves as comprehensive practical advice for the research community on how to effectively disseminate their research results to policymakers, and turn evidence into action. You can see all three guidelines here!

STOA high-level conference: Academic Freedom in Support of Democracy

The European Parliament’s Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) is organising a high-level conference on academic freedom. This annual conference focuses on the relationship between academic freedom and democracy, as well as policy initiatives that support these values.

The conference will provide a platform for policymakers and scholars to discuss the role of academic freedom in democracy, the policies and initiatives that recognise and support this relationship, and the trends observed in the state of both democracy and academic freedom.

The conference will take place in the House of European History, European Parliament, Brussels on 14:00 CET 4 March 2026. You can register here if you want to participate in person, however, a streaming link will also become available shortly before the event.

Geneva Science Diplomacy Week 

Applications are now open for the fifth edition of the Geneva Science Diplomacy Week, to be held between 22-26 June 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. This annual event provides a platform for exploring how scientific breakthroughs can be anticipated and leveraged for the benefit of society in a world accelerated by science and technology.

Designed for mid-to-senior career professionals, Geneva Science Diplomacy Week brings together participants working at the science-policy interface and beyond, including researchers, national policymakers, diplomats, representatives from multilateral institutions, and experts from civil society and the private sector.

You can apply here until 20 February 2026!