European Commission Scientific Advice Mechanism
In 2015, the European Commission (EC) set up a new Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) to support the Commission with high-quality, timely and independent scientific advice for policymaking. SAM is formed by the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (GCSA, formerly known as High Level Group), the SAPEA consortium (Science Advice for Policy by European Academies) and the SAM Unit of the DG Research and Innovation.
YAE’s role in the Scientific Advice Mechanism
Rianne Letschert, Rector Maastricht University and YAE medal 2017 winner, was appointed to the Identification Committee that assisted in selecting the members of the GCSA at the heart of the Scientific Advice Mechanism.
In May 2018, our former Chair Nicole Grobert was appointed as one of the seven members of the GCSA, who work closely together with EC Carlos Moedas. Similarly, she will now be at the receiving end for the evidence-based policy advice that the SAPEA consortium will provide to the GCSA and the EC.
YAE’s role in SAPEA
Since her appointment to the GCSA, Nicole Grobert has participated in several SAPEA events, mainly a roundtable discussion on the topic Making Sense of Science in the Royal Society (London, 24th September 2018); and the handover of the SAPEA evidence review report on A scientific perspective on microplastics in nature and society (Brussels, 11th January 2019).
The YAE had been actively involved in SAPEA through its strategic partnership with Academia Europaea, suggesting members for SAPEA working groups and expert workshops for wide-ranging topics. Furthermore, since early 2018, the YAE had been acting as portal to European National Young Academies, forwarding calls for participation and receiving nominations. Since December 2020, with the creation of the Young Academies Science Advice Structure (YASAS), the YAE took on a new role in SAPEA. Please see full details in the Science Policy page.
Food from the Oceans
YAE nominated 6 experts for Food from the Oceans. Daniela Schmidt MYAE was selected as a member of the SAPEA working group. The evidence review report was published and handed over to the EC on 29th November 2017 in Brussels. Daniela participated in several outreach activities.
A Scientific Perspective on Microplastics in Nature and Society
YAE nominated 3 experts for A scientific perspective on microplastics in nature and society. Bartlomiej Kolodziejczyk MGYA was selected as a member of the SAPEA working group. The evidence review report was published and handed over to the GCSA on 11th January 2019.
Transforming the Future of Ageing
YAE nominated 11 experts for the project Transforming the Future of Ageing. Liat Ayalon, Bar Ilan University (Israel), and Alan J. Gow, Heriot-Watt University (UK) were selected for the SAPEA working group. The evidence review report was published on 27th June 2019.
Report from @SAPEAnews on Transforming the Future of Ageing just released, the culmination of a huge effort over many months. Delighted to have contributed to cognitive health areas, and represent @YoungAcademySco. Work taking report to policy for healthy ageing begins now! https://t.co/7yQiz9ON4X
— Alan J Gow (@AlanJohnGow) June 27, 2019
Making Sense of Science for policy
YAE suggested 5 experts for the SAPEA topic Making Sense of Science for policy under conditions of complexity and uncertainty. Sarah de Rijcke, Leiden University (Netherlands), was selected for the working group and the evidence review report was published in July 2019.
Enriching experience to have been part of this working group. The report will be delivered by the European Commission Group of Chief Scientific Advisors on 26 September 2019. Key points here: https://t.co/eoipwvvAi1 https://t.co/zbYQKGqKqy
— Sarah de Rijcke (@sarahderijcke) July 9, 2019
Other topics
YAE has also put forward members for the topics Toward an EU Sustainable Food System (5 YAE nominations, none selected) and Adaptation to Climate Change-Related Effects in Europe (4 YAE nominations, none selected).
The names of SAPEA working group members are published after the publication of the reports.
Other SAPEA activities
The YAE has also been present at several SAPEA workshops.
Marcel Swart, former YAE Chair, was a panellist in the panel discussion on Academies experiences with providing scientific advice: examples and discussion within the Best Practices of Interaction between Academies and with Policymakers SAPEA workshop organised in Madrid, 22th September 2017.
Nicole Grobert, former YAE Chair, participated in the session How are science and the provision of scientific evidence for policy changing in the academic community? in the one-day SAPEA conference Crossing boundaries: new approaches to science for policy in Europe, within the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research International Symposium, Tallinn, 13th October 2017.
