Finnish academies look to Europe for science advice model

Relationships between researchers and policymakers are often fraught with misunderstanding. The importance of evidence-based policymaking is rarely disputed, although researchers often bemoan how little politicians use their work, while politicians grumble at researchers’ lack of understanding of government.

But in Finland, the situation could be about to improve. The Ministry of Education and Culture announced on 2 January that it has awarded the country’s Academy of Science and Letters €600,000 over three years to set up a dedicated government scientific advice service in collaboration with three other Finnish science academies. The project’s goal is to improve the dialogue between scientists and policymakers and give policies a stronger basis in evidence.

“All social decision-making must be based on research data,” education minister Sanni Grahn-Laasonen said in a statement.