Evidence-Informed Policymaking: The Way Forward

Galluccio, Mauro

Cooperation and working relationship building between scientists and policymakers are fundamental never-ending human processes. However, a very dangerous but real state of the art is represented by the inadequate understanding of how policymaking and politics work on behalf of scientific experts. The situation is made more complicated when, as it happened during the COVID-19 crisis (but not only), some scientists are caught up with the public debate about which policy option could be correct. If scientists cede to the seduction of the politics (or that of communication star system) and assume the attitude of politicians, they “sell their soul to the devil” insofar as devaluing the scientific evidence they claim to present. There is an inner tension in politicians/diplomats between keeping their world views and adapting their decision-making processes to dissonant evidence. Evidence-informed policymaking does not mean leaving all the power to the scientists/experts. Especially in time of uncertainty when we come to social values, risks, and priorities we do need politics and diplomacy to take the lead for making critical choices in the interest of the citizen.