International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA)

The International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA) was created out of the first international conference on Science Advice to Governments held in Auckland, New Zealand in 2014, co-organised by ISC’s predecessor organisation, the International Council for Science (ICSU). 

The Auckland conference ended with a resounding call for the formation of a network to continue discussion and promote the exchange of ideas and experiences, particularly in key areas such as: critical analysis of the variety of mechanisms for science advice (both formal and informal), taking into account local contexts, cultures and histories; capacity building at the interface of science and public policy, especially in developing economies; science advice and the role of practitioners in the context of crises and emergencies; planning for joint events and activities internationally. 

The International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA) was subsequently established under the auspices of ICSU (now the ISC) to create a unique and global network of practitioners and researchers interested in progressing the evidence-policy interface. The inaugural Chair of INGSA was Sir Peter Gluckman, the then-Chief Science Advisor of New Zealand.  

The current elected President of the organisation is Prof. Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Québec.  

INGSA is an open-access collaborative platform for policy exchange, capacity building, and research across diverse global science advisory organisations and national systems. The mission of INGSA is to enable evidence-informed policymaking at all levels of government from the local to the multilateral, through capacity building activities, as well as networking policymakers, practitioners, academies, and academics to share experience and develop theoretical and practical approaches to the use of scientific evidence in informing policy. 

To enable INGSA to provide context sensitive support for these systems, it has established Regional Chapters in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, with Chapters in development in Europe and North America. Likewise, INGSA members can also join cross-cutting Communities of Practice on specific issues of relevance within science advice and science diplomacy.  

As well as acting as a pivotal networking and knowledge sharing entity, INGSA also undertakes its own research and project-based activities at the science/policy/society interface, in collaboration with a range of partners. 

The INGSA secretariat is located at Koi Tū: Centre for Informed Futures at the University of Auckland and the Office of the INGSA President is hosted within the Office of the Québec Chief Scientist at the Fonds de recherche du Québec. INGSA is constituted as a New-Zealand based International Organisation with charitable not-for-profit status. 

See INGSA.org for more information.  

The ISC and INGSA

INGSA is an Affiliated Body of the ISC. The work of both institutions is complementary and there is close collaboration and consultation on many issues at the science advice and science diplomacy interfaces. 

Principles and Structures of science advice: An outline

March 2022

An ISC-INGSA Occasional Paper on the development of a training module on science advice and diplomacy for the ISC community and Members.

Find out more

ISC contact person

Anne-Sophie Stevance

Anne-Sophie Stevance

Senior Science Officer, Head of Unit

International Science Council

Anne-Sophie Stevance

Image by Sam Moqadam on Unsplash