GeoPolicy

GeoPolicy: Living in a post-factual society and why it’s more important than ever for scientists to engage

Sarah Connors October 19, 2016

The 2nd International Network on Government Science Advice (INGSA) Conference. Science and Policy Making: towards a new dialogue. Booklet cover.

Last week, the EGU Science Policy Fellow packed her bags and flew to Brussels. Now this wasn’t to sample some of the fine beers Belgium has to offer, but to attend the 2nd International Network on Government Science Advice (INGSA) Conference. This conference, co-organised by INGSA and the European Commission, aimed to discuss the major principles needed for effective science advice to governments, ...[Read More]

GeoPolicy: Science and the policy cycle

Sarah Connors September 14, 2016

One way to improve the impact of your scientific research is to engage with policy. Doing so can create new opportunities for yourself and your research. The main challenges are knowing when and how to effectively communicate scientific results to policy. If the wrong timing or communication method is chosen then results are less likely to be incorporated into the policy process. This month’s GeoP ...[Read More]

GeoPolicy: How do Members of European Parliament learn about science?

Sarah Connors August 17, 2016

The European Parliament in Strasbourg, Alsace. Credit: Thomas Hassel (distributed via flickr.com)

Only ~5% of Members of European Parliament, or MEPs, have a background in the physical sciences1, yet many political challenges require an understanding of the science surrounding these issues. Issues such as locating and extracting mineral resources, understanding climate change impacts, and developing new low-carbon technology. The European Commission (EC) and the European Parliament (EP) have s ...[Read More]

GeoPolicy: 8 ways to engage with policy makers

Sarah Connors July 13, 2016

European Parliament Plenary Chamber. Credit: Diamond Geezer (distributed via flickr.com)

Scientific research is usually verbally communicated to policy officials or through purposefully written documents. This occurs at all levels of governance (local, national, and international). This month’s GeoPolicy post takes a look at the main methods in which scientists can assist in the policy process and describes a new method adopted by the European Commission (EC) that aims to enhance scie ...[Read More]