The Science Network Workshop Series: Communication and advocacy trainings for scientists

• Union of Concerned Scientists
• July 2022

These sessions are part of a series offered to Science Network members to provide training opportunities to strengthen your communication and advocacy skills.

Read more

Scientific advice to European policy in a complex world

• 1 November 2019

In order to ensure that trust in science is maintained, science advice needs to be provided in an impartial, reliable, relevant and transparent way, following a set of principles and building on existing best practices. A recent report by the European Academies (SAPEA) consortium, gives recommendations to ensure the quality and relevance of scientific advice.

Read more

What next for Europe? A strategic foresight perspective

• 16 October 2019

The European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS) report, ‘What next for Europe? A strategic foresight perspective’ was published in October 2019 and examines the challenges posed for the European Union by megatrends such as digitisation, demographic change and the climate crisis.

Read more

Public engagement - a practical guide

• Sense about Science
• 29 May 2019

A five-step guide to involving the public in communicating your research.

Read more

Want to get a politician to listen to science? Here’s some advice

• Science
• February 2019

Talking to a politician is a lot different than talking to an average member of the public! This short article gives you some tips.

Read more

Help to shape policy with your science

• Nature
• 10 August 2018

Decision-makers need input from researchers on issues involving science and society.

Read more

Standing up for Science workshop EU

• Sense about Science
• 2 August 2018

Find out how to make your voice heard in public debates about science at the Standing up for Science EU workshop on Friday 5 October at the VUB KONEKT space, Brussels.

Read more

An introduction to achieving policy impact for early career researchers

• Nature
• July 2018

Scientists are increasingly required to demonstrate the real world tangible impacts arising from their research. This paper, aims to provide information to early career researchers (ECRs) who would like to achieve a policy impact in their chosen field. The information provided in this paper is concise and easily accessible regardless of the reader’s scientific background.

Read more

Principles for good evidence synthesis for policy

• The Royal Society
• June 2018

This four page overview outlines the fundamental features of good evidence synthesis regardless of the precise time frame, topic or methods. Four key principles for good evidence synthesis for policy (inclusive, rigorous, accessible and transparent) are highlighted and explained.

Read more

Science Diplomacy: A Pragmatic Perspective from the Inside

• Science & Diplomacy
• 16 January 2018

What is science diplomacy and how is it used? The topics outlined in detail in this paper include science in diplomacy (science providing advice to inform and support foreign policy objectives), diplomacy for science (Diplomacy facilitating international scientific cooperation) and science for diplomacy (scientific cooperation improving international relations)

Read more

The Sustainable Development Goals: Roadmaps to Progress

• Science & Diplomacy
• 5 January 2018

The seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda have been called a gift to humanity.1 While much worthwhile effort has occurred since the world’s political leadership arrived at this consensus in 2015, much work remains to be done.

This article focuses on the role of science, technology, and innovation in meeting the SDGs and some of the challenges.

Read more

Scientific Advice Mechanism

• European Commission
• November 2017

The Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) High Level Group (HLG) has been providing scientific advice to the College of European Commissioners (the College) since shortly after it was established at the end of 2015. This 2 page document gives a brief overview of the EU science mechanism.

Read more

Through internships, Ph.D. students expand their skills and explore their options

• Science Careers
• 26 June 2017

Internships for PhD Students aim “to develop transferable skills in the students, which perhaps they wouldn’t develop as part of a normal Ph.D., and also to raise their awareness of other career opportunities outside the lab, outside research, recognizing that most students in the longer run will not stay in academia.”

Read more

What early-career researchers can do to advocate for science

• Science
• 6 March 2017

Figuring out exactly how to do this can seem like a daunting task, especially for early-career researchers. Our day job—doing science—doesn’t leave much room for advocacy efforts. Here are some tangible examples of what you could do.

Read more

Integrate gender into your scientific research

• SciDev.Net
• 4 March 2017

Including gender in your scientific research will maximise your impact and global reach – enroll in this free course from SciDev.Net

Read more

Do's and don'ts for scientists who want to shape policy

• Science
• 12 February 2017

An article arming scientists with some practical advice about the policymaking world that might help them do better.

Read more

Air quality factsheet

• EGU
• 2016

Poor air quality is detrimental to human health and the environment. Common effects of air pollution include respiratory illnesses, decreased vegetation, and reduced biodiversity. This EGU factsheet provides an overview on air quality: why it’s important to society, the EU’s current policies and potential future challenges.

Read more

Big data and infrastructure factsheet

• EGU
• 2016

Big data is a widely used term to describe the collection and analysis of large quantities of data which are too vast to be evaluated using traditional methods. The Earth and space sciences have, for a long time, been using and interpreting big datasets. This EGU factsheet provides an overview on Big data and infrastructure: why it’s important to society, the EU’s current policies and potential future challenges.

Read more

Climate change & its impacts factsheet

• EGU
• 2016

The Earth is warming due to an increased quantity of greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides, and fluorinated compounds are the major substances which contribute to this effect. This EGU factsheet outlines the major sources and contributors to climate change, provides, the impacts, the EU’s current climate policies and potential future challenges.

Read more

Earth observation and monitoring factsheet

• EGU
• 2016

A changing climate is having impacts on the Earth; sea levels are rising, ice-caps are melting and extreme weather events, flooding and droughts are occurring more often. This EGU factsheet highlights why it is critical for Governments to monitor these changes and their implicit effects on society. It also provides an overview of policies relating to Earth observation and monitoring and potential future challenges.

Read more