Nature Editorial: Advising governments about science is essential but difficult. So train people to do it
A great scientist doesn’t necessarily make an effective science adviser — but schooling and practice can help to bridge the gap.
Earlier this year, Nature asked science-policy specialists which country is particularly good at ensuring science is factored into government decisions. The question mystified many respondents. “Not aware of any,” wrote one. “None have enviable systems,” wrote another. “Very hard to say,” said a third.
That sums up the poor opinion that many have of science advice to governments. Nature’s survey was sent to several thousand people worldwide, most of whom are affiliated to the International Network of Government Science Advice (INGSA), a global association of researchers and policymakers, based in Auckland, New Zealand. Some 80% of the nearly 400 respondents rated their country’s science-advice system as being patchy, poor or very poor. Blame lay on both sides: 77% said that policymakers and politicians ignore and undervalue science advice, and 73% said that researchers fail to understand policy.