European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Bianchini, S., Di Girolamo, V., Ravet, J. and Arranz, D., Artificial intelligence in science – Promises or perils for creativity?, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025.

The paper explores the impact of AI on scientific creativity, examining its use across 80 fields from 2000 to 2022. AI adoption has surged in nearly all areas since the early 2010s, although striking regional differences emerge. In recent years, China has taken the lead in AI-driven research, outpacing both the US and the EU, not just in sheer output, but also in terms of scientific novelty and impact. The study concludes that AI generally enhances scientific creativity, measured by novelty and impact, though the effects vary by field. Most fields benefit from AI applications, although great heterogeneity is observed with some fields seeing little to no improvement, and a few experiencing negative impacts. The influence of AI is moderated by the structural organisation of knowledge within fields, with greater potential in "rough" knowledge spaces where ideas are fragmented. These findings contribute to discussions on AI's role in science and are relevant to policy initiatives promoting AI-driven research.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and Oliver, K., Assessing the effectiveness and successful implementation of science-for-policy ecosystems – Mutual learning exercise on bridging the gap between science and policy – Third thematic report, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025.

The European Commission launched a Mutual Learning Exercise on ‘Bridging the Gap Between Science and Policy’. This Thematic Report focuses on the first discussion topic about fostering knowledge-sharing within and among Science for Policy (S4P) actors. The report highlights the need to frame S4P in the broader context of knowledge-for-policy (K4P) and it introduces key knowledge management concepts for this. S4P can be understood as a learning and sensemaking process with many knowledge creators, and the report discusses ways in which the knowledge-based view can inform the development of S4P ecosystems and scientific policy advice.

Magnolfi, V., Borzacchiello, M. T. and Camia, A., Bioeconomy knowledge base – An online library to support EU policymaking, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

The bioeconomy covers all sectors and systems that rely on biological resources (animals, plants, microorganisms and derived biomass, including organic waste), their functions and principles. Compiling a robust information or evidence base is an essential component of better policymaking and one of the actions of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy is to enhance information and the knowledge base on the bioeconomy, including sustainable biomass supply and demand, and forward looking, cross-sectoral assessments, and to make this information accessible through the Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy. Data, information and knowledge related to the bioeconomy are being produced at an accelerated pace and as the amount of available knowledge increases, the more pressing becomes the need to manage this knowledge. This means that knowledge needs to be properly captured, organised, stored, shared and disseminated.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and Conway, R., Citizen engagement – Mutual learning exercise on EU missions implementation at national level – Fourth thematic report, Conway, R.(editor), Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

This report considers how to approach citizen engagement for the EU missions. Engagement and social dialogue should aim to ensure that innovation is human-centred and that missions maintain wide public legitimacy. But citizen engagement is complex and significantly changes the traditional responsibilities of the research and innovation community and calls for new capabilities. This report provides insights to build these capabilities and explores effective ways to help citizens understand their role within the EU missions, showing how to engage them throughout the various stages of implementation. The report considers both the challenges and administrative burdens of citizen engagement and sets out how to overcome them, as well as demonstrated the wider opportunity of “double additionality” where citizen engagement methods serve to fundamentally transform an entire research and innovation portfolio.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Charter for Access to Research Infrastructures – Principles and guidelines for access and related services, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

The European Charter for Access to Research Infrastructures sets out non-regulatory principles and guidelines to be used as a reference when defining Access policies for Research Infrastructures and related services. While not having any legally binding nature, Research Infrastructures are encouraged to use this Charter as a reference when updating existing or defining new Access policies. In addition, the funding organisations of Research Infrastructures are invited to promote this Charter’s provisions. The update of the Charter published in 2015 is part of the ERA Policy Agenda 2022- 2024.

Lieve Van Woensel, European Parliamentary Research Service, 2021.

The implementation of foresight routines will help in preparing future policies. Evidence-based foresight practices will ensure that policy-making is trustworthy and future-fit. This paper is partly inspired by the evidence-related policy issues encountered in managing the coronavirus outbreak. The Covid-19 crisis was, and remains, characterised by uncertainties and evidence that change by the hour through progressive insight. Policy-makers had to make decisions that balanced expert advice and presumed feasibility and public acceptance. Additionally, new virus- and vaccine-related evidence meant they had – and continue to have to – constantly review measures, in these exceptional times of uncertainties and evolution of insight, when experts' advice was occasionally inconsistent.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and Tuomi, I., Fostering knowledge-sharing within and among S4P actors – Mutual learning exercise on bridging the gap between science and policy – First thematic report, Tuomi, I.(editor), Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

The European Commission launched a Mutual Learning Exercise on ‘Bridging the Gap Between Science and Policy’. This Thematic Report focuses on the first discussion topic about fostering knowledge-sharing within and among Science for Policy (S4P) actors. The report highlights the need to frame S4P in the broader context of knowledge-for-policy (K4P) and it introduces key knowledge management concepts for this. S4P can be understood as a learning and sensemaking process with many knowledge creators, and the report discusses ways in which the knowledge-based view can inform the development of S4P ecosystems and scientific policy advice.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Pottaki, I., Monaco, F., Articolo, R., Martinez, E. et al., Fostering knowledge valorisation through citizen engagement, Pottaki, I.(editor), Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

This report provides an analysis of citizen engagement for knowledge valorisation practices, drawing on 60 selected case studies from 37 countries, across the EU and internationally. The report describes the benefits of participatory processes and explores key elements for successful valorisation of knowledge and research results with the engagement of citizens. Based on the evidence, it provides possible action points for research and innovation actors for effective participatory practices for knowledge valorisation. The analysis highlights a gap in employing a clearly defined measurement framework to assess the efficacy of participatory processes in value creation, and provides an evaluation framework including key performance indicators that can serve as a tool for researchers and practitioners.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and Kosova, H., Intellectual assets management – Mutual learning exercise on knowledge valorisation – Fifth thematic report, Kosova, H.(editor), Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

The report explains the shift from the traditional approaches of intellectual property protection in research and innovation to the new broader concept of intellectual assets management. It tries to answer the question “What is changing?”and gives recommendations to policymakers. The report starts with the policy and legal background for navigating the intellectual assets management landscape within the framework of knowledge valorisation. It provides different perspectives from different stakeholders´ points of view on intellectual assets management while trying to abandon the strictly individual topic-related “silos” approach. Open approaches to intellectual assets management are discussed together with the challenges of the current geopolitical context.

Bertelli, A., Estreguil, C., Angeluccetti, I. and Battistella, L., Knowledge brokering through the Africa Knowledge Platform – Challenges and preliminary reflections, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

Within the context of the European Union’s Partnership with Africa, the Joint Research Centre - European Commission’s Science and Knowledge Service – started to develop the Africa Knowledge Platform (AKP) in 2019 (https://africa-knowledge-platform.ec.europa.eu/) a dynamic web-based gateway to knowledge that includes datasets, policy-relevant narratives, interactive tools, and partnerships across a variety of thematic domains. This report was motivated by the need to shift away from a linear and uni-directional production and dissemination of scientific evidence to policy, and innovate towards systematic co-creation of knowledge involving multi-laterally knowledge producers and users. Challenges are addressed to respond to this need and make knowledge more impactful at both policy making and policy implementation levels.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Kosova, H. and Vanrie, P., Mutual learning exercise on knowledge valorisation – Focus on skills, intersectoral cooperation and incentive systems – Final report, Kosova, H.(editor) and Vanrie, P.(editor), Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

The report summarises the key findings of the MLE on Knowledge Valorisation – Focus on Skills, Intersectoral Cooperation, and Incentive Systems where 18 countries participated. The main purpose of the MLE has been to provide support to policymakers and key R&I actors and to identify actionable good policy practices and instruments that help implement the Council Recommendation on Guiding Principles for knowledge valorisation, adopted in December 2022. Amongst the many aspects addressed by these Guiding Principles, the MLE focused on five topics: (a) the policy and legal context as well as governance and funding, (b) research talents and skills for knowledge valorisation, (c) the role of intermediaries, (d) the importance of networks and processes, and (e) the concept of intellectual assets management. The report includes policy recommendations together with a policy toolbox and many inspirational examples.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and Mazzonetto, M., Mutual learning exercise on public engagement in R&I – Final report, Mazzonetto, M.(editor), Publications Office of the European Union, 2025.

This report captures the key findings of the Mutual Learning Engagement exercise on Public Engagement in Research and Innovation. It offers policy recommendations and showcases inspiring practices of how public engagement can be embedded into national research and innovation frameworks. It highlights the importance of institutional support, funding mechanisms, impact assessments, and capacity-building efforts in ensuring that PE becomes a core component of research governance. The report also addresses emerging challenges and opportunities for expanding PE across disciplines, institutions, and governance levels, fostering a more participatory and socially responsive European R&I ecosystem.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and Cruz, K., Policy and legal context, governance and funding – MLE – Focus on skills, intersectoral cooperation and incentive systems – Topic 2a thematic report, Cruz, K.(editor), Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

The Thematic Report delves into the lessons learned from discussions of the MLE on knowledge valorisation on policy and legal context, governance, and funding. The report underscores the critical importance of aligning a long-term strategic vision and goals with supporting tools for knowledge valorisation, including financial schemes, regulatory frameworks, and soft instruments. This comprehensive approach highlights co-creation and collaboration among stakeholders to foster the transition of scientific knowledge into tangible societal benefits.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and Simone, A., Public engagement in ERA – Mutual learning exercise on public engagement in R&I – Fourth thematic report, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025.

Topic 4 report explores Public Engagement (PE) practices in the European Research Area (ERA), illustrating approaches and methods behind successful PE initiatives implemented for years. Furthermore, this report introduces PE exercises conducted transnationally. The benefits of cross-border PE as well as suitable methods to run it, potential challenges to be taken into account, along with possible solutions, are also outlined. Relevant cases across ERA and globally are also presented.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Science advice to policymakers – Roles, enabling conditions and incentives – Mutual learning exercise on bridging the gap between science and policy – Second thematic report, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

This thematic report focuses on the role of science advice in policymaking. By analysing key characteristics of actors, functions and roles, competencies and skills, and incentives it aims to support the description and analysis of national science-for-policy (S4P) ecosystems. This report provides a shared perspective on these ecosystems, helping countries map their systems, identify best practices, and address gaps. It emphasizes the need to enhance collaboration between scientists and policymakers, foster professional competencies, and align incentives to encourage policy-relevant research.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, IDEA Consult, PPMI, UNU-MERI, PPMI, et al., To what extent are widening countries part of knowledge networks formed by the framework programmes? – Working paper supporting the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe (support study on Excellent Science), Publications Office of the European Union, 2025.

This paper complements the study on Excellent Science under Horizon Europe. The analysis investigates the integration and role of Widening countries within the collaborative networks established by the European Union's Framework Programmes, such as FP7, Horizon 2020, and the early stages of Horizon Europe.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and Schomberg, R. v., Trust as a governance challenge for science-for-policy ecosystems – Mutual learning exercise on bridging the gap between science and policy – Fourth thematic report, Schomberg, R. v.(editor), Publications Office of the European Union, 2025.

This thematic report explores the issues of trust in, and governance of Science-for-Policy ecosystems. It makes the case for making Science-for-Policy credible, responsive and with anticipatory capacity. The paper reflects on the questions: what to trust and the issue of persisting scientific dissent and uncertainty, and who to trust amidst misleading science communication and interest-based strategic use of scientific knowledge. It provides an outlook on a more collaborative approach among science, policy and society actors.

Scharfbillig, M., Allegra, A., Brossard, D., Cassio, L. G., Cologna, V. et al., Trust in science for policy Nexus, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025.

Publication metadata
The "Trust in Science for Policy Nexus" workshop, held in Ispra, Italy, on September 12-13, 2024, convened by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, the International Science Council, and co-sponsored by the US National Science Foundation, explored the intricate dynamics of trust in science as it relates to policymaking. This workshop addressed the challenges and strategies for fostering trust among scientists, policymakers, and the public, particularly in the context of disinformation and the current political situation. One of the most fundamental questions was how far issues of trust in science for policy can be separated from issues of trust in democratic institutions in general.