How to Convince Politicians: Lessons from an Scientific Advisor During the Pandemic

Patrick Vallance, who advised the UK government during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, says that scientific officials should know four key things when guiding policymakers.

The End of Patrick Vallance’s Term as Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government

Patrick Vallance’s five-year term as Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK government has come to an end, during which he witnessed an unprecedented scientific response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Four Things Scientific Officials Should Know When Guiding Policymakers

Patrick Vallance points out that scientific officials should know four key things when guiding policymakers. The four things are:

1. Understanding Science and Evidence: Scientific officials must have a deep understanding of the science and evidence related to the issue at hand.
2. Effective Communication: Scientific officials should possess effective communication skills to convey scientific information in a clear and understandable manner to policymakers.
3. Strategic Thinking: Scientific officials should have the ability to think strategically and analyze the political and social context surrounding the issue at hand.
4. Humility and Patience: Scientific officials should exhibit humility and patience when dealing with policymakers and understand their challenges and concerns.

Patrick Vallance emphasizes that understanding these four points can help scientific officials convince policymakers and achieve a positive impact on decision-making.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00938-w