The Role of National and Supranational Scientific Advisory Boards in Climate Policymaking
Lecture by Dr. Helena Seibicke (Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Political Science, University of Oslo)
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On behalf of the Norwegian Institute at Athens, we are pleased to invite you to a lecture by Dr. Helena Seibicke (Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Political Science, University of Oslo) on Wednesday, 2 April 2025, at 7:00 p.m. (EEST).
The lecture is titled "The Role of National and Supranational Scientific Advisory Boards in Climate Policymaking,” and will be held at the Norwegian Institute at Athens in a hybrid format, accommodating both in-person and online attendance via Zoom.
Registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance.
To attend in person, please register at norwinst@uib.no
To attend online, please register via the relevant Zoom Link.
Abstract
Scientific advisory bodies play a crucial role in shaping climate governance by translating complex scientific knowledge into policy-relevant advice. While these bodies are often framed as neutral providers of evidence, their influence extends beyond simple knowledge transmission—they actively shape policy debates through framing strategies, agenda-setting, and the strategic use of expertise. This lecture will explore the institutional design features and the evolving role of scientific advisory bodies, focusing on how they navigate the balance between scientific authority and political engagement.
Using the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC) and the Greek Scientific Committee on Climate Change as illustrative cases, the lecture will examine how these bodies position themselves within national and supranational policy landscapes. It will discuss their varying degrees of influence, the challenges they face in maintaining legitimacy, and the extent to which they act as legitimizers, knowledge brokers, or policy entrepreneurs. Through this comparative lens, the session will highlight the broader implications of scientific advisory bodies in shaping climate action at different governance levels.
Biographical Information
Dr. Helena Seibicke is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Political Science at the University of Oslo. Her research focuses on the intersection of knowledge, expertise and governance, particularly the role of science in climate policymaking. She has previously been a researcher and doctoral fellow at ARENA Centre for European Studies, University Oslo, and visiting fellow at the Public Policy Institute, University College London.
