Landscape Analysis of Mechanisms Around the World Engaging Scientists and Engineers in Policy
View the full report here.
In response to growing interest in establishing science policy fellowships and other methods to engage scientists in policy processes, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), conducted a landscape analysis of such activities around the world. Sponsored by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the project affirmed global demand to strengthen connections between science and policy, highlighted factors for productive engagement of scientists in the policy sphere, identified more than 150 science-policy linkage mechanisms, and clarified criteria to support their success.
The project entailed a literature review, surveys, research on types of science-policy connection mechanisms, and individual and group consultations. Over the period of May 2015 through November 2016, information was gathered from nearly 200 science policy stakeholders in academia, government, nonprofit and international organizations, and the private sector from nearly 50 countries across the globe.
A common and primary theme throughout the project was the need to engage and nurture a new generation of scientists around the world to meet current and future demand at the science-policy interface. The international landscape analysis concluded with an overarching recommendation to cultivate and network boundary-spanning STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) leaders and support them to engage successfully at the intersection of science and policy. Strategies are presented to accomplish this by expanding the availability of and access to immersive science-policy connection mechanisms, and through foci on communication, knowledge sharing, and collaboration.
If you have questions related to this project, please contact AAAS Science Diplomacy.
