Keynote - Sir Peter Gluckman, Chair of the International Network for Government Science Advice. Centre for Science for Policy Diplomacy and Society, University of Auckland
| Monday, October 22, 2018 |
| 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
| Plenary 1 (Ground Floor) |
Details
Science advice, public policy and the post-truth dynamic. There is no area of government where robust evidence cannot advance the policy process. Data alone are not information, information without expert analysis is not knowledge, and knowledge itself only becomes evidence when appropriately applied to the question in hand. Yet the value of robust evidence to inform policy is somewhat contested and mechanisms and their impact vary considerably. Evidence and the mechanisms to input it into policy can be contested. Too often the question and answer are misaligned. New challenges are emerging. These include the size of the scientific enterprise, the incorporation of different epistemologies into advice, the confused state of accessible and reliable knowledge on the web, and the impacts of digitalisation that will allow big data and AI to impact on public policy. It is essential that the processes, structures and skill sets needed to improve the incorporation of evidence into policy are robust. Knowldge brokerage is emerging as a distinct skill-set The so-called ‘post-truth’ dynamic can undermine the role of evidence in policy-making. In the current international political climate, and given the digital transformation, it is becoming ever-more apparent that robust evidential input into policy will be a core part of protecting democracy. Sir Peter will use examples from his experience to explore these issues and reflect on general and emerging principles relating to knowledge brokerage.
Speaker
Sir Peter Gluckman ONZ FRS
Chair
International Network for Government Science Advice
Science advice, public policy and the post-truth dynamic
Biography
Sir Peter Gluckman ONZ FRS is Chair of the International Network of Government Science Advice (INGSA) and President-Elect of the International Science Council, taking up office in 2021.
Sir Gluckman is also the founding chair of the APEC Chief Science Advisors and Equivalents group, and the coordinator of the secretariat of Small Advanced Economies Initiative.
Sir Gluckman trained as a pediatric and biomedical scientist and holds a Distinguished University Professorship at the Liggins Institute of the University of Auckland. He has published over 700 scientific papers and several technical and popular science books, and written and spoken extensively on science-policy and science-diplomacy and science-society interactions.
Sir Gluckman has received the highest scientific (Rutherford medal) and civilian (Order of New Zealand) honours in NZ and numerous international scientific awards. In 2016, he received the AAAS award in Science Diplomacy. Sir Gluckman is a Fellow of the Royal Society of London, a member of the National Academy of Medicine (USA) and a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (UK).
