Last week the PDPC organized the second educational meeting for PhD and postdocs involved in the Frontrunner projects and PDPC Impact Academy.

Education in the PhD training programme is all about getting familiar with the main disciplines represented in PDPD, developing skills and attention to attitude. In the second educational meeting, EUR professor Pearl Dykstra lectured about scientific advice and the policy-making process. The session was concluded with a workshop on values led by TU Delft assistant professor Samantha Copeland.

‘A good scientific article is not enough to get your research results implemented in society.’ That was the main takeaway from this educational session. It is not easy for policymakers and politicians to find their way around the excessive amount of information and knowledge that is out there. Individual researchers can help bridge that gap. They could consider the importance of their scientific discovery for society and implement an impact plan. Advisory bodies play an important role in evidence synthesis. Reports on what we know and don’t know and specifics on ongoing discussions still are very helpful to policymakers. What should follow is a careful translation into recommendations. Pearl Dykstra: “We have an opportunity to help Europe with our knowledge.”

In the second part of the afternoon, the participants discussed trustworthiness (of science) as a value. They built the concept of trustworthiness using different elements, and in the end, trustworthiness took shape (see photo above). In the photo below, you can see PDPC’s (assistant) professors, PhD’s and postdocs participating in the education and community building day.