You're listening to the European Parliamentary Research Service podcast on scientific advice in the EU.

Today, scientific knowledge is in high demand.

Next to societal, economic and political considerations, policymakers need accurate and timely access to scientific evidence

in order to guide their decisions.

But how is this knowledge provided?

Are scientific experts the new gurus of EU policymaking?

Join us on this podcast.

In an increasingly complex world where politicians are asked to make informed decisions and a number of issues they are not necessarily experts in, access to reliable, timely and easily accessible scientific advice is crucial.

And because of the increasingly global nature of challenges such as climate change and food security, advisory bodies need to

integrate knowledge and perspectives from various disciplines, from natural to social or economic sciences.

And when disaster strikes and information is scarce, scientific advisors can quickly turn

into decision makers so clear roles and responsibilities are needed.

This is what the Commission did back in 2002 when it set clear guidelines on how

scientific expertise should be used throughout all stages of the policymaking cycle.

So how is this knowledge produced and channeled to decision makers?

Well, scientific advice can be provided by external bodies such as academies and research

organisations by permanent or ad hoc advisory committees or by in-house research services and

individual advisors.

In the EU, some commission departments rely on in-house expertise, seeking external advice

only when needed.

And the Joint Research Centre has evolved from a nuclear

research centre to become the Commission's main in-house science service, advancing scientific

...