Professor Rolf-Dieter Heuer, Chair of the group of Chief Scientific Advisors who provide independent scientific advice to the European Commission, answers questions about how to make politicians listen to and understand science.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for reliable science advice. However, the policy issues that require the most scientific input are often the ones where the scientific evidence is complex and uncertain.

Has Europe been guided by science in the current emergency? What is it like to be a Chief Scientific Advisor in times of crisis? Do politicians even want science advice? How can scientists communicate to make their advice understood and useful for policy? These are only some of the questions, that are answered by Professor Rolf-Dieter Heuer, the Chair of the European Commission’s Group of Chief Scientific Advisors during the SAPEA live session. This YouTube event was open to all, and especially those, who are interested in the role of science in policy making. Professor Heuer engages with the audience in real time via the video feed and chat and participants were invited to ask questions.

Live Stream Event: 3 Nov 2020