8 1 / 2023 // LEOPOLDINA / NEWS
Focus groups broaden Leopoldina policy advice
Key features and interdisciplinary panels of science-based advice
Members of Leopoldina regularly confer with one another in committees and at events concerning the future of science .
Image : Anna Kolata | Leopoldina
The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina advises policy makers and the public on societal issues that require science-based analysis .
For this , interdisciplinary groups of researchers write papers which present scientific content in a comprehensible way and make it as accessible as possible . These can be statements , discussion papers , future reports or factsheets . In this way the Leopoldina contributes to ensuring that political decisions can be made on the basis of reliable scientific findings . By organising complementary events it promotes informed public dialogue .
The Leopoldina is free to choose its own topics . Depending on the topic , the Leopoldina can cooperate with other academies and scientific institutions , with public institutions and with international partner institutions .
In order to be able to react more quickly to societal challenges , the Leopoldina has also set up focus groups to complement the scientific commissions and working groups . The experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that there is a great need for faster working processes and a permanent advisory infrastructure for the short-term development of analyses and options for action . Firstly , the Leopoldina Presidium set up four focus groups on the topics of
INTERDISCIPLINARY COMMITTEES FOR SCIENCE-BASED CONSULTATION
Focus group Ongoing and regular discussion of current developments in a larger research field and consultation on specific , pressing issues in society Scientific Commission Long-term moni toring of scientific discourse and the public debate on a comprehensive topic as well as initiation of working groups and organisation of events on specific topics Working Group Development of a detailed statement on a specific topic rele vant to society with the development of options for action within about one to three years
Science – Policy – Society Rules for dealing with conflicts of interest biodiversity and land use , medicine , climate and energy , and digitalisation . Focus groups continuously monitor developments in their respective subject areas and identify current needs for advice . If necessary , they produce publications at short notice – also with the involvement of other experts .
This form of ad-hoc advice does not replace the in-depth study of topics . Ra ther , the focus groups complement the work of the scientific commissions . Scientific commissions help to shape interdis ciplinary discussion over the long term , identify important topics for the future and expand on them in symposia and workshops . For topics that require more in-depth study , more working groups are set up , which make scientific research available for public discussions and political measures in the form of statements , and identify options for action to tackle societal challenges . ■ RED