1 / 2022 // LEOPOLDINA / NEWS 9
Policy advice in the area of conflict between science , politics and the media
Gerald Haug , President of the Leopoldina , has authored the first in a series of articles on this topic
Despite having largely negative consequences , the COVID-19 pandemic has also been a catalyst for some positive change . For example , vaccines have been developed at a rate which was previously almost inconceivable . That being said , shortcomings in our health system , such as in the area of digitalisation , have had a serious impact on our ability to tackle the pandemic . And we still do not know what long-term effect the experiences of the last two years will have on the relationship between science , politics and the media . The answer to this question will depend heavily on how our understanding of scientific freedom and responsibility develops from here .
BY GERALD H . HAUG ML *
Scientific freedom , which is enshrined in the German Constitution , gives researchers the scope to use their curiosity to support the cultural , social and economic development of society in the best way they can . This freedom also enables scientists to give independent policy advice – of the kind provided by the Leopoldina as the German National Academy of Sciences – without being influenced by any political or economic interests .
A rise in public interest
The pandemic has acted as a catalyst in this respect as well . Science-based analyses and possible courses of action had to be presented more quickly and scientists were expected to appear more frequently in the media . Furthermore , differences in scientific opinion led to doubts concerning the trustworthiness of science and whether it has a legitimate role to play in political decision-making .
I see the rise in public interest in the workings , mechanisms and limitations of science-based policy advice as a positive
“ I see the rise in public interest in the workings , mechanisms and limitations of science-based policy advice as a positive sign .”
Gerald Haug President of the Leopoldina
Image : David Ausserhofer | Leopoldina
sign . At last , science is taken as seriously as it has long been demanding to be . As a result , scientists now bear much of the responsibility for ensuring that the latest relevant research is used to shape public debate reliably , comprehensibly and promptly .
Scientific freedom
This is not only a matter of communicating factual information and presenting possible courses of action . It is also a case of demonstrating how scientific freedom works in practice by showing how science is both independent from government objectives and committed to tackling societal challenges . On no account should Wilhelm von Humboldt ’ s talk of “ necessary freedom and valuable isolation ” be taken too literally . Anyone who is devoted to independent science must not completely ignore societal needs and expectations .
I would like to take the example of the Leopoldina ’ s activities to respond to the occasionally raised general suspicion that scientists were a mouthpiece for politicians during the pandemic : Our academy provides interdisciplinary working groups with the freedom to analyse urgent societal challenges and propose
realistic recommendations for action on the basis of the latest scientific knowledge . The discussions needed to perform this work bring us into contact with the world of politics and other areas outside science . But this does not make us any less independent – quite the opposite is true . Our work enables us to help scientific freedom to play an increasingly relevant role in a society which is striving not only to combat pandemics , but to develop sustainably .
Constructive contributions
In upcoming issues of this newsletter , members of the Leopoldina will share their views on the Academy ’ s policy advice work in the area of conflict between science , politics and the media . I look forward to reading their pieces , which I imagine will not only make a constructive contribution to discussions within the Leopoldina , but will also inspire a public debate which I hope will increase trust in science .
* Gerald H . Haug is a climate researcher , geologist and paleoceanographer and has been the President of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina since 2020 .