How far should we rely on science to make political decisions? What makes a good science advisor — or a good science advice system? What do we do when the evidence is incomplete or controversial? What happens when science advice goes wrong and how can we fix it? We explore these questions, and many more, in conversation with the researchers, policymakers and communicators who make science advice happen around the world.
The Science for Policy podcast is produced the Scientific Advice Mechanism to the European Commission and hosted by Toby Wardman. The many and varied opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the guests themselves. They do not necessarily represent the views of SAPEA or the European Commission.
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How far should we rely on science to make political decisions? What makes a good science advisor — or a good science advice system? What do we do when the evidence is incomplete or controversial? What happens when science advice goes wrong and how can we fix it? We explore these questions, and many more, in conversation with the researchers, policymakers and communicators who make science advice happen around the world.
The Science for Policy podcast is produced the Scientific Advice Mechanism to the European Commission and hosted by Toby Wardman. The many and varied opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the guests themselves. They do not necessarily represent the views of SAPEA or the European Commission.
Welcome to our 100th episode! This one comes to you complete with a live audience at the University of Helsinki, kindly hosted by the SRI Congress 2024.
Debating questions
Warm-up debates:
(1) We should get rid of daylight saving time.
(2) How would a dog wear trousers? Hind legs only, or all four legs on the bottom half of its body?
(3) In which order do you put on socks and shoes? Sock sock shoe shoe, or sock shoe sock shoe?
Substantive debates:
(1) Science advice organisations should welcome researchers who have connections to industry or campaign groups.
(2) As a science advisor, I'm OK with my research being used by everyone in the policymaking process.
(3) As a science advisor, it's OK to have private conversations with a policymaker.
(4) As a science advisor, I should present only the evidence. Interpreting that evidence is the policymaker's job.
(5) It's my duty as a scientist to lobby for changes in society, based on the evidence as I see it.
(6) If a policymaker wants a simple answer from science, I should give them one.
(7) When there isn't enough data for a robust evidence-based answer, I should give my best guess.
(8) When scientists disagree on a controversial issue, I should present my own view on what the evidence says.
(9) If the politicians make a decision which really goes against my advice, it's my duty to speak out publicly against it.
(10) As a science advisor, I should try to present different stakeholder positions, such as those of affected communities.
Resources mentioned in this episode
SRI Congress 2024: https://sricongress.org/home/about-sri2024/
The noble vibraslap, queen of percussion instruments: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibraslap
Spotify playlist featuring the vibraslap: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3pXPF32AkTNcRfNswxnaWq?si=bdb62b8d74dd4151
Science for Policy
How far should we rely on science to make political decisions? What makes a good science advisor — or a good science advice system? What do we do when the evidence is incomplete or controversial? What happens when science advice goes wrong and how can we fix it? We explore these questions, and many more, in conversation with the researchers, policymakers and communicators who make science advice happen around the world.
The Science for Policy podcast is produced the Scientific Advice Mechanism to the European Commission and hosted by Toby Wardman. The many and varied opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the guests themselves. They do not necessarily represent the views of SAPEA or the European Commission.
