Science Advice Committee

kvinner og menn
The Science Advice Committee 2025–2027. Top row, from left:Ole Petter Ottersen, Professor of Neuroscience, University of Oslo (Chair) (Photo: UiO); Kenneth Ruud, Managing Director, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) (Photo: FFI); Lise Lyngsnes Randeberg, President of Akademikerne, Professor of Biomedical Optics and Photonics, NTNU (Photo: NTNU); Jonas Stein, Associate Professor of Political Science, The Arctic University of Norway (Photo: UiT); Borgar Aamaas, researcher, CICERO, Young Academy of Norway (AYF) (Photo: Private); Gunnveig Grødeland, Professor of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University of Oslo (Photo: UiO); Cathrine Holst, Professor of Philosophy of Science and Democracy, University of Oslo (Photo: UiO); and Inger Sandlie, Professor Emerita of Molecular Biology, University of Oslo (Photo: UiO).

Mandate for the period 2025–2027

The Committee for Science Advice for Policymaking shall:

  • Create a forum for dialogue between research and policy development, and contribute to increased reflection and discussion on the interaction between these two domains.
  • Address national policy challenges and highlight how the state of scientific knowledge should form part of the basis for policymaking decisions.
  • Contribute to international work related to science advice, and help ensure that particularly relevant international knowledge reports on science advice are further adapted to Norwegian conditions. This applies especially to reports and statements from EASAC and ALLEA, but also from ISC and potentially others.
  • Where relevant, prepare short notes that may be submitted to the international academy organizations as proposals for new issues or topics for further work.
  • Increase public awareness in Norway of the Academy’s work on science advice.

  • Contribute to developing the professional understanding of what science advice entails in a Norwegian context. This includes strengthening connections with Norwegian institutions, particularly the Parliament, the Government, the business sector, and relevant organizations.

    What is Science Advice for Policymaking?

The Committee’s Science Advice definition:

Science advice refers to the process and trust-based dialogue by which scientists and expert bodies provide policymakers with the best available scientific knowledge to inform decision-making. Its purpose is to ensure that political decisions are evidence-informed, reducing the influence of misinformation or disinformation. Scientists provide the map – clarifying options, risks, and uncertainties – while politicians navigate societal values and trade-offs. However, scientists and policymakers should, through dialogue and co-creation, engage iteratively to frame questions and discuss solutions. A trust-based dialogue must be based on academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

Eva Halvorsen is the project manager for the committee (Eva.Halvorsen@dnva.no).