Science sparring

Science sparring transforms science-policy interactions. It identifies risks related to policymaking systematically and proactively.

Science sparring is policy red teaming where researchers comment draft policy documents.

Science sparring has been co-developed together with ministries in Finland. It is suitable for the need of both civil servants preparing decisions and political decision-makers.

Science sparring briefly

Suitable particularly for complex systemic policy topics, where identifying interdependencies between policy issues is crucial.

Knowledge brokers design and facilitate the process. Well planned process creates a unique environment of trust and enables an equal science-policy dialogue.

A goal-oriented process that aims to respond to a pre-identified knowledge need.

Inspired by red teaming, which has been used in intelligence and foresight.

Read Science sparring leaflet

Our previous Science sparrings

The impact of tipping points on emergency supply (National emergency supply agency, Operaatio Arktis), 2025

Requirements set by the sustainability crisis for journalism and science communication (Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science HELSUS), 2025

High impact climate actions in regional administration (ELY Centres), 2025

Knowledge base of physical activity, sports and elite sports (Ministry of Education and Culture), 2025 | Read more

Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for Government R&D funding (Prime Minister’s Office), 2024

Systems mapping on demographic change (Prime Minister’s Office, DEMOGRAPHY program), 2024

Implementation of the Restoration Regulation (Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Science Panels), 2024

Anticipation of the Biodiversity Act (Ministry of the Environment), 2023

Ecological connectivity (Ministry of the Environment), 2023

National Climate Adaptation Plan (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry), 2022

Architectural Policy Program (Ministry of Education and Culture, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, and Ministry of the Environment), 2021

Roadmap to Fossil-Free Transportation (Ministry of Transport and Communications), 2021

Nature Conservation Act reform (Ministry of the Environment), 2021

Public Sector Strategy (Ministry of Finance and Association of Finnish Municipalities), 2020

National Transportation Plan, (Ministry of Transport and Communications), 2020

Climate Regulatory Impact Assessment (Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Justice), 2020

The Environmental Information Forum, Urban Academy, and Urban Research Institute Urbaria have also utilized and participated in developing Science Sparring.

Our goal is to make Science sparring accessible to all

During 2026, we test the applicability of the method internationally and publish a Science sparrer’s handbook (possibly also in English). Nationally we are launching Science sparring Masterclass in January 2026.

More About Science Sparring

OECD Education Policy Perspectices (2024, No 96) presents Science sparring as good practice to strengthen science-for-policy interactions.

The Finnish Government report on the Future (2019–2023) recommends wider adoption of Science Sparring in ministries’ policy preparation processes.

Nature-lehden article (4.12.2024) frames Science sparring as promising knowledge brokering method.

Policy Brief (5/2023) was published in New York at the United Nations Science, Technology & Innovation Forum in 2023 as an example of an innovative operational model.