UK group questions EU’s model for science advice

Sense About Science has given a cautious welcome to the European Commission's plan to replace the position of chief scientific adviser with a panel of science academy experts, but has highlighted weaknesses in the committee process.

Tracey Brown, director of the campaign group, said that “we might see some improvements in the reasoning behind policies” if Europe’s science academies become more involved in scrutinising and applying evidence to European policy.

But Brown went on to say that committees often have only vague lines of personal responsibility and accountability, and tend towards the conservative. The committee members will need to be proactive in preventing themselves from disappearing into obscurity, and how successful they will be is uncertain, she said.