Southeast Asia Science Advice Network (SEA SAN)

Southeast Asia Science Advice Network (SEA SAN)

Many countries do not have strategic, best-practice workflows for the uptake of scientific evidence for policymaking. In 2021 INGSA launched a landmark pilot project – the Southeast Asia Science Advice Network (SEA SAN) – for the sharing of knowledge and experience between senior-level decision makers, academics and professionals in the region.

Five Southeast Asian countries (Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia) were selected for the pilot study of the SEA SAN. This pilot project was very successful at forging valuable cross-country networks and information sharing. The pilot program has now wound down but we hope that the Division can be renewed in future with new funding.

It is hoped that the model used for the SEA SAN could in future expand to all Southeast Asian countries, and become an entrenched regional institution for science advice which can be mobilised quickly in case of transnational crisis in the future.

Goals of the SEA SAN

The SEA SAN’s main goal is to structure and strengthen direct evidence-to-policymaking pathways in Southeast Asia, particularly on areas of shared regional concern within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Specific goals include to:

Facilitate sharing of information and co-design of mechanisms for evidence-to-policymaking
Maintain the focus on institutional capacity rather than individuals for science advice
Determine regional best practices for science advice

Explore the SEA SAN Policy Intelligence Platform…

The SEA SAN Policy Intelligence Platform provides information sharing capacity for SEA SAN Council Members and also public insight into the activities of the network.

Find out more by visiting the Policy Intelligence Platform…

Find Out More

Structure of the SEA SAN

The SEA SAN is Chaired by Professor Zakri Abdul Hamid, Former Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of Malaysia and Patron of the INGSA-Asia Regional Chapter, and is guided by the SEA SAN Council which consists of experienced members of National Commissions and/or Ministries in the region.

The network is supported by the SEA SAN Working Group, as well as the INGSA-Asia Regional Chapter based in Sunway University, Malaysia, and the INGSA Secretariat based in the University of Auckland, New Zealand.