Contribute to the ISC-INGSA needs assessment survey on science advice to policy training | deadline: 22 July

The ISC is partnering with the International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA) to deliver a training course to the ISC membership on providing science advice to policy-makers.

The objectives are as follows:

• Strengthen individual capacity of scientists and other professionals affiliated to the ISC to work at the science policy interface by developing the skills and broad knowledge base of evidence-informed policy-making landscape, including relevant national and global policy processes;
• Foster peer learning and exchange among ISC Members and with the ISC secretariat on methods, approaches and tools to deliver scientific advice to policy-makers.
• Strengthen institutional capacity of ISC Members to work at the science-policy interface within their own national country contexts, as well as at the regional and global levels.

The overarching objective of the proposed learning modules is to familiarize researchers, and policy practitioners with the theory and practice of science advice for public policy-making. On completion of core modules, learners will:

• have gained a broad operational knowledge of the dynamic and interconnected processes, actors and organizational arrangements at the interface between science and public policy with a focus on the national level,
• have learned how to map, understand and activate these processes, actors and organizations within their own local and institutional contexts.
• have developed the ability to critically analyze complex issues from multiple perspectives to better understand the barriers and opportunities for evidential input and the role it can play in transformative policy development.

Timeline

The training is expected to be carried out between September and December 2024, through a series of webinars, online modules, etc.

Contact

Anne-Sophie Stevance

Anne-Sophie Stevance

Senior Science Officer, Head of Global Science Policy Unit

International Science Council

Anne-Sophie Stevance

Survey

In order to inform the development of the training to meet the needs of the wide and diverse ISC membership, we would like to request ISC Members to fill out the survey below. Thank you for contributing to the survey by 22 July.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

First name *

Last name *

Email *

Name of the ISC Member organization on behalf of which you are contributing to this survey. *

Your position/role within this ISC Member organization *

Does your Member organization routinely/regularly provide scientific advice to decision-makers (e.g. government, UN system)? *

• Yes
• No

To whom do you provide scientific advice? Please select all that apply. *

• UN system
• National government
• Foreign Ministry, diplomatic missions
• Parliament
• Local or regional government
• Private sector
• NGOs
• Other

Other – please specify *

What kind of policy outputs does your Member organization typically produce? *

• Literature reviews, systematic reviews of scientific evidence, or equivalent
• Expert-led technical reports or equivalent
• Policy briefs, synthesis paper or equivalent
• Experts dialogues, events, seminars or equivalent
• Identification of subject matter experts
• Other

Other – please specify *

The ISC would like to hear more about the experience of your Member organization in delivering scientific advice to decision-makers outside of academia. Please expand on your answers above by providing 1-2 recent examples that are indicative of your organization’s work at the science-policy interface. *

What needs does your organization have that this science-policy training programme could contribute to address? *

• Train individual scientists or staff members within your organization for them to apply these knowledge and skills in their daily work
• Train individual scientists or staff members within your organization for them to train others (e.g. “train the trainers”)
• Exchange with peer organizations on experience, tools, methods, learnings, best practices and challenges from engaging with policy-makers at different scales
• Access tools and resources
• Enhance the role of your organization at the science policy interface nationally
• Enhance the role of your organization at the science policy interface regionally and internationally
• Other

Other – please specify *

Whom within your Member organization would be most relevant to participate in the training? *

• Staff members
• Executive team members
• Board, executive council or governing body members
• Technical commission or working group members
• Individual scientists (early to mid career)
• Individual scientists (advanced career stage)

Please share any other information that the ISC secretariat and INGSA should take into consideration when designing the training.

Data protection: Please see below the link to the ISC privacy policy data protection. Respondents should be aware that the ISC will hold the information submitted for the duration of the initiative . *

• The respondent agrees with the data collection.

Click here to access the ISC Privacy Policy

Submit survey

INGSA convening for its 10-year anniversary in Kigali, Rwanda (May 2024)

You might also be interested in

INGSA 2024: Science advisors of the world united

Rémi Quirion and David Budtz Pedersen reflect on the role of research, knowledge, and expertise in advancing evidence-based solutions. From climate change to pandemics and artificial intelligence, experts and researchers are needed as advisors to governments.