A national network for scientific advice on crisis prevention and management
Health, cybersecurity, disinformation, geopolitical risks: the challenges facing society call for decisions based on solid scientific findings. The Swiss National Science Advice Network makes independent expert advice from highly qualified researchers available to policymakers and authorities at federal and cantonal level. It is active both preventively and in times of crisis, and fosters a continuous dialogue between science and politics.
The National Science Advice Network is tasked with quickly mobilising independent, interdisciplinary scientific expertise in order to advise policymakers and authorities on managing crises as well as on preparing for crisis situations. Outside times of acute crisis, it conducts scientific monitoring of crisis-related developments, identifies potential risks and holds regular discussions with relevant stakeholders. It may also be consulted by federal or cantonal authorities on issues of national importance relating to new types of threats or systemic risks.
The network was established on the initiative of the federal government and coordinated by the Federal Chancellery through institutions in the education, research and innovation sector (ERI sector). It is based on close cooperation between these institutions – the ETH Board, Innosuisse, the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Swiss Science Council and swissuniversities.
The experts are drawn from Swiss universities and research institutes. To date, four thematic clusters have been organised (Public Health, Cybersecurity, Disinformation, International Challenges), each led by a scientific steering group. The members of the steering group and the cluster have been selected for their proven professional expertise and act as honest brokers – impartial scientific advisors who identify possible scenarios and courses of action without making specific policy recommendations.