Science and policy

Our objective is to make Finland the world’s leading country in evidence-informed decision-making.

Promoting the societal impact of science through collaboration and interaction

The Finnish Academy of Science and Letters brings together the Finnish science-for-policy actors. Our goal is to ensure that high-quality research-based knowledge is utilized as effectively as possible in society.

As knowledge brokers, we connect knowledge users with experts. We create channels for interaction between researchers and decision-makers through co-creation methods.

We work closely with international science brokerage organizations and represent Finland in various international science-for-policy networks. Our partners include, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM), and the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA).

6 experts work at the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters in tasks related to science brokerage. You can find our contact information here.

Promoting evidence-based decision-making has been one of the Academy’s main objectives since its establishment. We continue the development and innovation work started in Sofi Science Initiative of Finland (2019–2021).

What is science brokering?

In our work, science brokering means the following:

1. We synthetize and broker science and researchers’ expertise

  • We synthesize and facilitate the transfer and translation of high-quality research-based knowledge and researchers’ expertise.
  • We build platforms for continuous interaction between researchers and decision-makers.
  • We develop new written, digital, and interaction-based concepts.

2. We develop evidence-informed policymaking in the Finnish national context

  • We promote the impact of science through networks and partnerships.
  • We bring together science brokers and promote their collaboration.
  • We initiate discussions on the field’s challenges and future directions.

3. We build stronger impact skills.

  • We offer researchers and science brokers tools for effective and productive societal impact.

The Science Brokers Network brings together experts’ practitioners

Local development of research impact requires long-term work, an essential part of which is discussing ideas, practices, and needs of science brokerage among experts in similar roles.

We coordinate the national Science Brokers Network, which brings together science brokers from different organizations to share their expertise and discuss their experiences. The network meets biannually.

If you want more information about the Science Brokers Network or to add your address to the network’s mailing list, contact our expert: linda.lammensalo@acadsci.fi

Contact us and follow our work!

Interested in science brokerage or collaborating with us? Feel free to contact our experts: sciencepolicy@acadsci.fi.

You can follow our work on X at @TiedeakatemiaTP