PoliTO4Policy | Building Capacity for Evidence-Informed Decision Making

The Strategic Plan "PoliTOinTransition" of Politecnico di Torino highlights that our University intends to organise its policy activities with the aim of becoming the first Italian school of technology to translate technological aspects into tools for decision makers. It seeks to be a reliable and proactive interlocutor in policy and decision making processes by co-designing solutions with policy makers and citizens that contribute to improving the quality of public policies. In this context, the aim of the workshop is to introduce researchers and administrative staff of Politecnico di Torino to the necessary concepts and skills to properly engage with public policymakers, supporting evidence-informed decision-making processes with solid scientific and techinical bases.

The training programme is structured in two modules, which will be held in English at the Sala Agorà of the I3P incubator:

30 October – 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

• Institutional greetings by Mariachiara Zanetti, Vice Rector for Local, National and European Affairs
• Introduction to science and policy by Alessandro Allegra, Science Policy Researcher – European Commission

Main topics:

• What is science for policy and why it matters
• Key challenges and concepts
• Institutional models of scientific advice
• The role of evidence in European policymaking
• Case studies (e.g. the European Commission Scientific Advice Mechanism)

A round table discussion with experts from Politecnico di Torino and other institutions will follow, showcasing good practices and experiences of collaboration between science and policymaking.

31 October – 9:30 am to 1:00 pm

• Hands-on S4P skills training by Alessandro Allegra (European Commission) and Lene Topp (Science4Policy & Capacity Building Expert)

Planned activities:

• Introduction to S4P competences and communication with policymakers (based on the JRC competence framework)
• Interactive simulations and roleplay
• Debriefing and reflection on acquired skills

Participation

• Module 1 (theoretical): up to 50 participants
• Module 2 (practical): up to 25 participants

It is possible to register for the theoretical module only, or for both.
Participants who attend both modules will receive an Open Badge, a digital tool to certify competences and experiences, including non-formal and transversal (soft) skills.
Selection criteria
Participation is reserved to the staff of Politecnico di Torino. Selection will be based on the motivation expressed during registration and on any previous experience in supporting policymakers, with priority given to those at the beginning of their academic career (e.g. post-doc research fellows, RTD-A, RTD-B, RTT). Efforts will also be made to ensure the involvement of different university structures.

To register: Registration link – deadline: October 17th.
For more information contact RIMIN.europoli@polito.it