Since its establishment, the core functions of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters have included support for societal decision-making with research. In recent years, the Academy has invested more and more systematically in this function.
In 2019–2021, the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters led a joint initiative by four Finnish academies to develop new models for science advice fit for 21st Century policy environment. The Sofi initiative (Science Advice Initiative of Finland) which was funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture, both showed that there is a strong demand for rethinking and improving interaction between science and decision-making, and that it is possible to increase and deepen cooperation with new operating models.
From the beginning, Sofi’s mission was to create a new permanent hub of activities in the science-policy interface. In the spring of 2021, the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters decided on permanent funding, which enables Sofi’s work to continue within the academy after its seed funding ended.
The work on this new era has started in the beginning of 2022. The phase builds on Sofi’s work, making use of the lessons learned, the networks emerged, and the operating models developed, such as Scientific Red Teams, Phenomena Maps and Policy Impact Training for researchers. Jaakko Kuosmanen and Nanna Särkkä, who worked for Sofi, will continue their work at the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters.
If you are interested in the interaction between science and decision-making, please do not hesitate to contact Jaakko or Nanna (contact information can be found at the bottom of this page). Please also follow @TiedeakatemiaTP on Twitter!