Thread by @DSP_SPE

We're in the historic Redpath museum auditorium this morning @mcgillu for another excellent talk by Jan Marco Muller @IIASAVienna which we organized w/ @McGillMSSI & TISPP! A continuation of #SPESciDip events of the last few days, #THREAD below ⬇️
#scidip #SciComm #scipol

When #science meets #politics on #GMO ➡️ when faced with the same evidence, some countries overwhelmingly agree, others overwhelmingly against #scipol #scidip

The mechanisms of #scienceadvice in the #EU is... complex
#scidip #scipol

The JRC is a private entity but which fits in-house into the broader #scipol mechanism of the #EU, and as a research centre they have PhD students and young researchers engaged in these processes #scidip

In 2009, chief science advisor for #EU was established based on #UK model, and in this role Dame Anne Glover was not only an advisor for government but also had outward facing role w/ the public to enhance trust in science through dialogue. Parallels to @ChiefSciCan here #scipol

Important issue: there was a lack of openness and transparency in this office, which became problematic considering closed door advice from a single advisor may be biased compared to open, multi-source advice #scipol #EU #scidip

So why did the #chiefscienceadvisor position fail in #EU? It wasn't adapted from previous model, lack of communication and integration into European Commission, and lack of support, funds, resources, and transparency
#scipol #scidip

Now: there is a network of science advisors from several countries (whether chief scientists, ministers of science, or other high level position holders) and close collaboration with European science academies, whose joint statements have collective weight #scipol #scidip

Case study: the ecodesign directive, where targets were established more politically that scientifically. Nonetheless input was sought from scientists to reduce CO2 emissions in household appliances, including vacuum cleaners #scipol #scidip

JMM's 10 E's:
Enthuse (get ppl excited by #science)
Educate (all generations)
Encourage (participatory science)
Explain (be clear, do #scicomm)
Emphasize (risk vs reward of #scipol options)
Empathize (public concerns are real, dont discount them, understand and address them)
1/2

Ethicize (is it ethical to genetically modify foods? Is it ethically responsible not to if it helps feed the world?)
Emotionalize (without undermining the #science, we can give anecdotes and make public care about science) 👉 be #storytellers
Engage (outside your comfort zone)

Final E from Jan Marco Muller @IIASAVienna
@DSP_SPE @McGillMSSI @mcgillu Enlighten (show people that we value their opinions, and dialogue to foster the value of #science in their lives)
#scicomm #scipol #scidip #scienceadvice #SPESciDip #tellyourstory #ScienceAroundMe

Interesting Q: does transparency really have an impact on public perceptions, or do we do this for its own sake? A from JM Muller @IIASAVienna : transparency is not enough, esp with so much data. We need to make sense of it, and communicate what it means #scicomm #scidip #scipol