EASAC

European Academies' Science Advisory Council

EASAC - the European Academies' Science Advisory Council - is formed by the national science academies of the EU Member States to enable them to collaborate with each other in providing independent science advice to European policy-makers. It thus provides a means for the collective voice of European science to be heard. EASAC was founded in 2001 at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

With the growing importance of the European Union as an arena for policy, national science academies recognise that the scope of their advisory functions needs to extend beyond the national to cover also the European level. Through EASAC, the academies work together to provide independent, expert, evidence-based advice about the scientific aspects of public policy to those who make or influence policy within the European institutions. Drawing on the memberships and networks of the academies, EASAC accesses the best of European science in carrying out its work. Its views are vigorously independent of commercial or political bias, and it is open and transparent in its processes.

EASAC activities include:

  • substantive studies of the scientific aspects of European policy issues
  • reviews and advice about policy documents
  • workshops aimed at identifying current scientific thinking about major European policy issues
  • workshops aimed at briefing policy-makers
  • short, timely statements on topical subjects
  • lay summaries aimed at communicating with non-expert audiences

Website of the EASAC: http://www.easac.eu/