Policy Advice

The responsibilities of Forschungszentrum Jülich include making research findings available to political committees and decision makers, thus providing them with options for successfully tackling social challenges. This is particularly important in fields where drastic changes or rapid technological progress give rise to questions concerning the consequences for society and the environment. Examples are climate change as well as progress in neuroscience and information technology. Forschungszentrum Jülich undertakes these tasks in diverse ways on the regional, national, and European level.

Events and Political Visits

Political events and visits are some of the regular instruments for policy advice applied by Forschungszentrum Jülich. Forschungszentrum Jülich regards its primary mission as that of informing political representatives comprehensively and objectively about Jülich's topics and research areas and their relevance for solving social problems. To this end, Jülich scientists participate in information events, for example in Berlin, Düsseldorf, or Brussels, and take part in political events. Political representatives on the local, regional, and national level can visit Forschungszentrum Jülich to find out more about research at Jülich and talk to experts. There is also a regular exchange of information with ministries and government authorities.

Experts on Topic-Oriented Issues

Scientists are involved as authors and experts providing policy advice for reports and recommendations for action both on the national and international level. Jülich climate researchers, for example, have co-authored reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which summarize and evaluate knowledge about climate change. The IPCC is a scientific body and an intergovernmental committee with its headquarters in Geneva. Other activities as expert advisers concern ethical issues, for instance in neuroscience, and technology assessments in the field of energy technology. The results of the latter serve as scientifically based advice for policy institutions such as the International Energy Agency (IEA), as well as ministries and parliaments.

Membership and Involvement in Councils and Committees

Furthermore, leading scientists from Forschungszentrum Jülich contribute their expertise in an honorary capacity to committees, councils, and organizations whose mission is to advise political decision makers and to make science-based recommendations for action on behalf of the Federal Government or the Bundesrat (upper house of the German parliament). Examples of these are the German Ethics Council and the Council for Scientific Information Infrastructures.