Increasing attention is being paid to scientific aspects of policy or administrative decisions taken at a European level. Certain features of the process including the potentially irreversible consequences of decisions, the uncertainties involved, and the pressure on scientists to produce a...

The frequently remarked public distrust of ‘science’ is focused on science advice. On its present scale, such advice is a new sort of practice, for which the scientific community is not well prepared. The contributions of science advisors are deployed by those in the policy process, who have...

What is the role of participatory processes in decision-making related to science and technology and in any other area where knowledge and expert advice play an important role? Can expert advice to policy makers be more transparent and accountable? This introduction discusses these and other...