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Survey questions value of pandemic policy advice

German universities did more consulting during Covid-19, but with little impact, funders say

Many universities in Germany increased their policy advisory activities during the coronavirus pandemic, but this has not always resulted in action, according to a survey.

The findings were part of the Higher Education Barometer, an annual survey undertaken by the Stifterverband, an association of research funders. The barometer’s preliminary results showed that around 40 per cent of higher education institutions had become more active in trying to shape political actions during the past year—a number that rose to 70 per cent among public universities.

“Scientific policy advice has become very relevant during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Stifterverband’s deputy secretary general, Volker Meyer-Guckel. "However, [the field] lacks political-academic networks, platforms for advisory services and further opportunities for exchange, through which different perspectives from politics and business can be brought in.”  

The survey identified differences in thinking and operation between science and politics as a major challenge to communicating and consulting effectively. While science usually develops and revises hypotheses over a long period of time, politicians expect clear and rapid solutions, the Stifterverband said, which causes clashes.

In addition, the field of scientific policy consulting lacks short and quick access routes for decision-makers, while many politicians also lack a willingness to engage with science, the survey found.

Nearly 60 per cent of higher education leaders questioned said that their university was insufficiently visible in existing consulting structures. But nearly all institutions said they wanted to become more involved in scientific policy advice in the future.

The full results of the survey will be published in the autumn, the Stifterverband said.