Integrating innovation with science and policymaking

Europe is renowned for its advancing scientific and technological excellence. An upcoming project helps explore ways to bridge science, innovation and policymaking to achieve a sustainable future.

Research and innovation are at the very core of Europe’s economy, aiming to create sustainable and successful societies across the continent. But securing this transition marks a vital challenge for the European Union.

European Research and Innovation Days, which kicked off on September 24, provides for an important opportunity for future stakeholders to have a say on the implementation of Horizon Europe, the European Commission’s proposal for the next EU research and innovation programme, due to run between 2021 and 2027.

On September 23, the Policy Working Group of the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) and the BeNeLux Chapter co-organised a meeting on the place of the scientist within the policy making process.

“We want to explore how science and scientists can influence and be part of the policymaking process,” says Ewan Geffroy, a key organiser. “Policy is part of innovation too and considering the current challenges that our societies are facing, it is crucial to come up with effective answers... [helping] apply knowledge to concrete solutions.

“Science is not meant to stay in specialised journals and conferences,” adds Geffroy. “It is intended to spread and benefit society as a whole.”

“Unfortunately, the knowledge transfer between traditional scientists and academia and other parts of society is low, which is a problem because a lot of the issues we are encountering now could be assessed if scientists were more involved.”

“We tend to forget that in the past, formidable scientists like Marie Curie had been involved with policymaking and diplomacy,” explains Geffroy. “The home now is that some of the event's attendants will be willing to take a step to acting and influencing policies in what they believe in. It could be anything, really. The action is what matters.”