European commission unveils its A-team of science advisers

Europe's scientific advice mechanism is launched today, with a line-up of seven experts whose mission is to boost the role of evidence in policy.

Carlos Moedas, Europe's commissioner for research, science and innovation, will today draw a line under months of controversy over the role of scientific advice in Brussels policymaking. The announcement of seven experts who will form its new high level advisory group, together with a six million euro grant to Europe's national academies, cements a new architecture for independent scientific advice within the European Commission. This will replace the post of chief scientific adviser, occupied by the Scottish microbiologist Anne Glover until it was axed in November 2014, provoking dismay from scientific organisations.

Nominations for the high level expert group were invited from learned societies and research bodies across Europe. Over 150 names were received, and sifted by a three-person nomination committee, which included Sir David King, former UK chief scientific adviser, before a final round of interviews. Further advice was sought from science policy experts around the world, including Sir Peter Gluckman, chief science adviser to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and chair of the International Network for Government Science Advice.