List of Advisors
The Group is composed of up to seven Advisors. They are chosen for their outstanding level of expertise, covering a wide range of scientific fields.
The goal is to have a broad vision which collectively reflects an understanding of important scientific developments, including interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research.
Professor of Nanomaterials, University of Oxford
Director of The World In 2050
Former director-general of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
Distinguished Professor of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University
Professor of Biorobotics, Vice-rector for Research, Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
Professor of Geography and Sustainability Science, Université catholique de Louvain and Stanford University
Professor of History of Christianity, University of Modena/Reggio Emilia
Professor of Plant Anatomy and Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences
How do the Advisors make recommendations on subjects where they are not experts?
The Advisors are scientific experts, but usually not on the specific subjects for which we receive requests.
Instead, the Advisors are guided by the evidence. A detailed review of the evidence is provided by experts in SAPEA (and any other experts they choose to consult).
No group of scientists can ever have expertise in every area of scientific enquiry. But the fact that the Advisors are not usually subject experts is actually an advantage. It means that they can take an objective view of the evidence, without being distracted by their own opinions and priorities.
Establishment
The Group of Chief Scientific Advisors was set up as an independent expert group by a decision of the European Commission in 2015.
Selection and appointment
Individual Advisors are selected and appointed by the European Commission. An independent identification committee helps the Commission to make this decision.
Declarations of interests
You can view the Advisors’ declarations of interests on the European Commission website.
