Paper short abstract:

By presenting the highlights and stumbling blocks from UniPID's work, this presentation will address the potential and limitations of academic networks and aim to encourage the sharing of best practices on facilitating research-policy cooperation for sustainable development.

Paper long abstract:

Considering the variety and interrelatedness of the SDGs, and the interdependency of their implementation at national and global levels, it comes clear that there is need for well informed decisions, based on empirical evidence and multidisciplinary expert knowledge.

In Finland the national draft plan for implementing the Agenda 2030 suggests that more emphasis is given to science-based decision-making. However, concrete tools and avenues for constructive knowledge-exchange between researchers and decision makers are still lacking. Multiple challenges prevent the cooperation between scholars and policy makers, such as the lack of common language, the mismatching timelines of policy needs and long-term research, the specificity of academic expertise vs. needs for more general advice, and the limited time in researchers' use for societal interaction.

UniPID is a Finnish university network to strengthen universities' global responsibility. UniPID advocates for science-based policymaking and highlights the importance of higher education and research in facing global challenges. As part of UniPID's societal impact work, the network holds discussions with ministries and facilitates researchers' contribution to development and higher education policy, as well as to the national and international research agenda and funding priorities.

There is a need to strengthen ties between like-minded networks and associations internationally to fortify the academic response and contribution to the implementation of the Agenda 2030. By presenting some concrete highlights and stumbling blocks from UniPID's work, this presentation will address the potential and limitations of academic networks and aim to encourage the sharing of best practices on facilitating research-policy cooperation.