Mandate
The Group of Chief Scientific Advisors is part of the Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM). Their role is to provide high-quality, timely and independent scientific advice to the College of European Commissioners on any subject, including on policy issues that the European Parliament and the Council consider to be of major importance. By informing decision-making, the Group contributes to the quality of EU policy making and legislation.
List of Advisors
There are seven Chief Scientific Advisors appointed in their personal capacity and who act independently and in the public interest.
Distinguished Professor of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University
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.
