PoliTO4Policy: building scientific and technical capacity to support public policy
How can scientific research make a concrete contribution to shaping public policy? Politecnico di Torino aims to be the first Italian university to transfer its technological and scientific know-how into practical tools that support public decision-makers.
Supporting policy and decision-making processes is a key element of the Strategic Plan “PoliTOinTransition”, which aims to position the University among Europe’s leading technical universities as a reliable, proactive partner in the formulation of policy and decisions, co-designing solutions with policymakers and citizens and playing a central role in improving the quality of public policy.
In line with this strategic action, Politecnico organised the workshop “PoliTO4Policy - Building Capacity for Evidence-Informed Decision Making” on 30 and 31 October 2025. The event provided faculty members, researchers and administrative staff with the conceptual and practical tools and the skills needed to engage effectively with policy-makers and to promote research as a resource that underpins evidence-based decision making.
Through lectures introducing the key concepts of Science for Policy and analysing examples of scientific advice provided to European political bodies, as well as interactive simulations and role-playing exercises, the programme offered participants a chance to reflect on how research can support public decisions founded on robust evidence. Speakers included Alessandro Allegra, Policy Officer at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research & Innovation and honorary lecturer at University College London - Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy, and Lene Topp, an expert in Science4Policy & Capacity Building.
The workshop also featured a session with sector experts on existing good practices and inspiring case studies. The closing round table included Professor Scira Menoni of Politecnico di Milano, who has been involved in the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM), alongside Politecnico di Torino faculty engaged in evidence-informed policymaking at national, European and international levels: Mariachiara Zanetti, Vice-Rector for Local, National and European Affairs; Nicole Viola from the Department of Management and Production Engineering (DIGEP); and Berardino Chiaia from the Department of Structural, Geotechnical and Building Engineering (DISEG).
“With this initiative, we aim to reinforce Politecnico’s role as a trusted partner for policymakers and to enhance its capacity to take an active part in decision-making processes, bringing high-quality scientific input through a collaborative approach”, explained Professor Zanetti.