In a world flooded with information from a multitude of sources, providing, managing and making sense of knowledge to build more robust policies is highly challenging. Using evidence in policymaking is a complex task demanding a set of distinct skills and mutual understanding between researchers and policymakers.
This is particularly relevant for the policies addressing, or influenced by, migration and demographic changes: a key strategic area for the future of Europe. Evidence informing policy discussions in this domain is often confusing and contested, which can further complicate the challenging policymaking process.
To address these challenges, the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, together with INGSA and the Slovak Academy of Sciences, is organising a third Evidence and Policy Summer School. This professional development training offers policymakers and scientists the opportunity to meet each other and together develop skills in using evidence for creating robust policy solutions. Using the lens of migration and demographic change as a common domain of policy interest, participants will be challenged to identify and address universal issues in data and evidence gathering and communication to policy makers and the general public. It is important to note that the workshop is not intended to present either the latest science or specific policy solutions in this domain, but to provide the tools and approaches to better inform the policy making process. Thus, the main focus rests on developing capacities in procuring, producing and using relevant evidence.
This year, we will meet in Slovakia with policymakers and scientists from Central and Eastern Europe and selected EU neighbouring countries. The programme is carefully co-designed with the Knowledge Centre on Migration and Demography, and will be of particular interests to scientists and policymakers working in this thematic and regional context.
Concept note and draft programme is available here.
Call for applications open until 25 June 2017
The organisers are currently looking for:
- 20-25 early to mid-career policy professionals from EU Institutions{1} and Member States{2} in Central and Eastern Europe;
- 10-15 early to mid-career policy professionals from selected EU Neighbouring countries{2}{3}
- 20-25 early to mid-career researchers from EU Member States in Central and Eastern Europe or EU Institutions
- 10-15 early to mid-career researchers from selected EU Neighbouring countries{3}
Eligibility criteria
- At least 2 years of work experience in science or policy addressing, or affected by, migration and demographic change (or continued interest in using such data in related fields);
- Strong motivation to use and provide evidence for policy;
- Citizenship of an EU Member State or one of the following EU Neighbouring countries: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine;
- Proficiency in English;
- Commitment to participate in the event for the whole duration of the seminar.
If you wish to apply, click here to access the application form. You will be expected to upload a short CV (max. 2 pages) and a 500 word letter of motivation, outlining how your research work aims to have an impact on policy or how your policy work depends on research; and how you would benefit from participating in the event.
The organisers will offer accommodation (three nights), meals and airport transfers (from Vienna
to Senec, SK) to all participants. For those coming from the selected EU Neighbouring countries, travel will also be covered. EU nationals will have to arrange their travel to Vienna independently.
The selection process will strive to achieve a balanced representation of qualified candidates, including by gender and country.
Register as a member in the Evidence for Policy Community of Practice to access resources relevant to evidence-informed policymaking. Updates on the call for applications will be available on this website and on our Twitter account.
For any questions about the event, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.