The EGU, in close collaboration with the Secretariat of the European Parliament (EP) Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, is providing an EGU member with the opportunity to visit Brussels and work alongside a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for a day. The pairing scheme will enable the selected EGU member to experience the daily work of an MEP, learn more about the role of science in policymaking, and potentially provide expertise on a science-policy issue.

Almost every policy decision, regardless of the country or government level, has a scientific component to it. Science can allow policymakers to more accurately assess the benefits and potential consequences of different policy pathways. Through this pairing scheme, the EGU hopes to help promote a culture of evidence-informed policymaking and encourage stronger science-policy partnerships.

The first edition of the EGU science-policy pairing scheme will be with Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, an MEP representing Finland. She is part of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D Group), a member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, as well as of the Committee on International Trade. She is focused on finding sustainable solutions to climate change, creating quality jobs for Europeans by boosting the sustainable competitiveness of European industry, increasing investments in research and encouraging European cooperation.

Examples of activities that the scientist selected for the scheme might be involved with include

• Receiving an introduction to the work of the European Parliament from Miapetra Kumpula-Natri or her assistants
• Joining Miapetra Kumpula-Natri in various political group or meetings that involve European Parliament staff (depending on scheduling and meeting sensitivity)
• Sharing your research and expertise where relevant

This opportunity is open to all EGU members living in Europe. To apply, please fill in our application form, attaching a CV (max 1-page) and a cover letter outlining your motivation for participating in the pairing scheme by 6 September 2019. Please note that only complete applications in English can be accepted.

The pairing scheme will ideally take place at the beginning of November 2019. Travel within Europe and accommodation expenses will be covered by the EGU.

If you have a commitment during this time, please outline this in your application. For more information about this competition, EGU science-policy events or other EGU policy activities, please contact EGU Policy Officer Chloe Hill via policy@egu.eu.

• EGU policy pages