Building bridges in science: the strategic power of COST Actions in shaping policy and driving global networking

28/07/2025

Science for Policy (S4P) workshop

In June, COST held its 4th ‘Science for Policy’ workshop, bringing together representatives from over 30 COST Actions. Participants took part in a training session on the ‘JRC Competence Framework for Researchers’, received updates on the latest EU Science for Policy initiatives, and heard inspiring examples of COST Actions that have successfully influenced policy.

This year, for the first time, US-based researchers and innovators from the National Science Foundation (NSF) AccelNet programme, shared insights into the various Science for Policy activities taking place within their projects.

All presentations of this year’s S4P workshop can be accessed on the COST website.

Why does COST organise a S4P workshop?

The workshop aims to offer guidance to running Actions that wish to increase their policy impact. The session presents participants with a comprehensive overview of success factors, tips, and good practices, covering a range of topics, including when and how to approach stakeholders, effective ways of communicating (complex) research findings relevant for policy, and the need to consider the timeliness of your messaging.

The second part of the workshop focused on an interactive session, during which participants were invited to discuss and exchange ideas on developing an effective stakeholder engagement strategy. Last but not least, participants benefited from presentations from three Vice-Chairs of COST Actions and two AccelNet projects that have achieved impressive policy impact.

Tips on where to start your policy journey

The following key tips were shared for the benefit of COST Actions wanting to start their policy journey:

  • Identify and engage with policy stakeholders early on
  • Build trust through building relationships
  • Understand the context in which policymakers operate and what the policy priorities are
  • Be ready to jump in with recommendations when a window of opportunity opens
  • Invite national/regional/local authorities to join your Action
  • Appreciate the ‘snowball effect’ that national authorities can create when disseminating Action results
  • Use your Action’s networking tools to bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers
  • Include policy-relevant comments and recommendations in Action outputs and publications
  • Include uncertainties in your scientific advice to policymakers

Participant feedback: key insights and inspiring ideas

The following insights reflect the lively and engaging discussions that took place throughout the day, as shared by participants when asked about their key takeaways from the workshop.

The vast majority of participants highlighted having learned the importance of “starting early with policy outreach to build trust and cooperation”. Similarly, many participants appreciated hearing from colleagues about how they could “actively involve stakeholders in activities of the Action, such as meetings, workshops, working groups, or even by inviting stakeholders to become a Management Committee member”. Several participants mentioned that they will use the workshop’s stakeholder engagement activity to revise and update the stakeholder engagement strategy of their Action.

Insights and feedback from the COST Action community

What are the key takeaways?

Prof. José Joaquín Mira, Chair of the European Researchers’ Network Working on Second Victims (TheERNSTGroup) COST Action, made the striking remark that “Involving stakeholders isn’t a task, it is a mindset”.

Prof. Abigale Stangl, representing the AccelNet project on Human Computer Relationships at Work for Learning, Tactile Media Alliance, commented that the workshop “helps to situate my role within the realm of policy, with clear actionable steps for triangulating local initiatives for broader impact, for the first time”. Prof. Stangle adds that the event “challenged me to think about stakeholder engagement from different dimensions: local to transnational vs role/domain/regulatory body/industry”.

Prof. Charalampos Baniotopoulos, Vice-Chair of the Fatigue Benchmark Repository (FABER) COST Action, went away with an increased understanding of the need to have a policy on the Action’s impact in place: “a policy on the Action’s impact will ‘upgrade’ the impact”.

Dr Sarah Milliken, Grant Awarding Coordinator of the Mainstreaming water reuse into the circular economy paradigm (Water4Reuse) COST Action, left the workshop having gained “a good overview of best practices in science for policy and look forward to reporting back to the core group to see how we may implement these in the Action”.

Reflecting the constructive atmosphere of the day, several participants had already outlined concrete points for action by the end of the workshop:

Concrete points for action

What will our research networks do next?

Prof. Martin Farek, Chair of the Europe’s Representations of India: Texts, Images, and Encounters (ESIND) COST Action: “We will devote a group of people just to focus on the process of building bridges between the Action’s researchers and policy makers.”

Dr Anna Dlabacova, Vice-Chair of the Participation through Prayer in the Late Medieval and Early Modern World (PRAYTICIPATE) COST Action: “We will carry out a mapping exercise that will show if any of our COST Action participants are already part of any councils or expert committees engaged in policy making.”

Dr Wei Wang, Chair of the European Network for Multiple View Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (MultiViewLCSA) COST Action: “We will collect data and create visuals that will enhance the understanding of our research results by policymakers. In this context, I will exchange my takeaways with WG leaders and make plans to involve policy makers in future Action events.”

Dr Johannes Schmied, Working Group Leader for communication and policy engagement in the Futures-oriented Governance of Outer Space: Towards Peace, Equity, and Environmental Integrity (FOGOS) COST Action, stated:

Our COST Action has developed a roadmap, which we’re translating into a policy engagement plan with the following objectives:

– Decrease silo thinking.
– Empower scientists to actively engage with the policy arenas.
– Activate mediators between science and policy.”

Prof. Mohammed Boubezari, Chair of the Architectural and Urban Ambiances of European Cities (CitySenZ) COST Action, added:

“Tomorrow I have a meeting with the European Council of Architects and I will:

– Ask them to receive a Short-term Scientific Mission.
– Invite them to deliver a keynote at one of our forthcoming conferences.
– Suggest co-organising a workshop and/or conference.
– Invite them to join our Action.”

International Scientific Networking workshop

The second part of this workshop, held on 20 June 2025, focused on the European Union’s strategy for international scientific cooperation and explored how COST’s Global Networking approach adapts to a fast-changing world.

International scientific networks are essential for advancing research, accelerating discovery, and shaping policy. This is vital for tackling global challenges as it bridges geographical and disciplinary gaps to connect researchers with decision-makers, and foster collaboration across disciplines and borders. These networks support early-career researchers, encourage inclusive participation, and enable knowledge sharing through flexible, global platforms, driving collective progress on shared challenges.

Participants examined how COST Actions can operate effectively and safely within an evolving geopolitical landscape, while continuing to advance research and contribute to solving global scientific challenges.

Benefits of international scientific networking

  • Enhanced academic excellence
  • Expanded research opportunities and resources
  • High-quality education and mentorship
  • Address global challenges
  • Accelerate discovery and innovation

Challenges of international scientific networking

  • Funding limitations
  • Institutional and bureaucratic barriers
  • Data sharing constraints
  • Diverging academic standards and practices
  • Communication and time zone challenges
  • Visa and travel restrictions
  • Intellectual Property (IP) issues

The event provided up-to-date insights and practical guidance for engaging with diverse international stakeholders, promoting science-based solutions to urgent global issues.

Expert speakers from the European Commission and COST International Partner Countries shared their perspectives, alongside peers from U.S. NSF AccelNet-funded projects, fostering an exchange of ideas and experiences. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to international scientific networking, emphasising ongoing collaborations with many of the 80+ international partner countries involved in COST Actions. These partnerships extend worldwide, including countries such as Algeria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, South Africa, South Korea, Tunisia, the USA, and Venezuela.

What experts say about cross-continental scientific collaboration

“Science knows no international boundaries, and prioritising collaboration over competition is logical in a landscape of restricted resources.”

Jeffrey S. Munroe  AccelNet Design: Accelerating Critical Zone Science with an International Network of Networks

“International collaboration maintains focus on collaboration and win-win partnerships. It studies how to upend the current spiral into populist anti-science politics.” 

Liliana Davalos, from the Global Union of Bat Diversity Networks (GBatNet): Bats as a model for understanding global vertebrate diversification and sustainability.

“Cross-Continental Scientific Collaboration advances global understanding, cross-cultural training, and global diplomacy.”

Jose L. Contreras-Vidal, the AccelNet Project Coordinator of  The Movement, Music, and Brain Health.

“International scientific networking attracts young researchers, helping European researchers and citizens to think about their global role and duty.”

Ioannis Sarigiannis, Working Group Leader, of the COST Action: Searching for Nanostructured or pore forming Peptides for therapy (SNOOPY).

“It is bringing diverse knowledge and different points of view.”  

Sarah Milliken, Grant Awarding Coordinator  – Water4Reuse COST Action – Mainstreaming water reuse into the circular economy paradigm.

“International collaboration supports cooperation, but also enables decision-makers to decide based on evidence.”

Maria João Fonseca, ConnectLAA Vice-chair: Connecting Landscape Architecture Archives to enhance European landscape practice, research, and education 

“Scientific networking promotes and enhances international research collaboration with cultural perspectives and diverse human experiences.”

Jose L. Contreras-Vidal, the AccelNet Project Coordinator of  The Movement, Music, and Brain Health.

“The networking highlights the importance of shared strategies and innovative thinking to address common challenges.”

Antonios Michaelakis, LILY COST Action Vice Chair,  Large-scale Interdisciplinary Alliance on Nature-based SoLutions and Health: Indicators, InequalitY and Innovation.

COST serves as a vital foundation for research collaboration, strategically investing in the pre-competitive phase where ideas take shape and partnerships are built. This early support generates significant long-term returns, advancing knowledge, fostering trusted international networks, and enhancing access to future research funding.

Further information