Science in the crossfire: Challenges in providing science-based advice

Target audience: SLU researchers interested in discussing different types of challenges and how to address them in the context of external requests for expert advice to support decision making.

NOTE: This seminar/workshop is not subject-specific – the focus is on challenges and possible solutions.

Language: English.

Registration: see the form below

Preliminary programme

12:00 Welcome and a short introduction, by moderator Annsofie Wahlström, programme director at SLU Future Food 

12:05 Case: Navigating disease-transfer risk in the interface between farmed and wild fish: conclusions and lessons learned, by guest professor Øystein Evensen from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, and also a guest professor at SLU.

12:25 Group discussions in Break Out Rooms – examples of issues to be addressed:

• How to maintain credibility and avoid being perceived as biased?
• Should you use science-based knowledge in shaping policy and public opinion?
• How do you navigate conflicts of interest and maintain integrity?
• Ethical considerations in scientific advice?
• How to deal with non-scientific issues (political, social and media pressures)?
• What are the legal aspects to take into account?
• How to communicate complex scientific findings without losing accuracy, and without undermining public trust in science?

13:00 Conclusions from the group discussions – Take home messages!

13:25 Sum up & closure

13:30 End of the seminar