Skip to main content

BMBF Project: Data as a basis for scientific policy consulting

Beispielbild Daten und Digitalisierung
Photo: AdobeStock_285825086

Download expert report: 

Online publication on the University of Potsdam's publication server

Expert report

Project participants: 

  • Prof. Dr. Sabine Kuhlmann (University of Potsdam) 
  • Prof. Dr. Jochen Franzke (University of Potsdam) 
  • Benoît Dumas (University of Potsdam) 
  • Prof. Dr. Moreen Heine (University of Lübeck) 

 

Study commissioned by: 

  • German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Beispielbild Daten und Digitalisierung
Photo: AdobeStock_285825086

Contact

For further information please contact:

Benoît Dumas

At the request of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Prof. Dr. Sabine Kuhlmann and Prof. Dr. Jochen Franzke, assisted by Benoît Dumas and Prof. Dr. Moreen Heine, conducted a study on data as a basis for scientific policy advice. Besides overviews of the current state of research as well as on already existing data-strategic approaches, the data-based nature of scientific policy advice and political decisions are examined in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on this, optimization proposals for the organization of data-based policy advice are developed.

The outstanding importance of data in the COVID-19 pandemic was identified based on interviews with representatives from politics, administration and science. But at the same time, deficits in the usability of available data (e.g., interface problems, quality and accessibility) and completely missing data sets were identified. The latter concerns, for example, the availability of nursing staff, about which little is known in contrast to the utilization of intensive care beds, as well as interdisciplinary or, in particular, social science data on the impact and effects of socio-economic inequalities. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the relationship between politics and science. The individual role profiles (science as a data provider without political decision-making ambitions, politics as a legitimized decision-making authority that cannot expect clear recommendations for action from science) need to be reconsidered.

Taking this into account, eight clusters of optimization proposals have been developed. In essence, the aim is nothing less than bringing and accelerating a cultural change toward more conscious use of data potential. For this purpose, structural proposals such as establishing data teams in all federal ministries and stronger data competence centers in all federal states were developed. However, a corresponding cultural change must also be accompanied by modifications in education and training as well as in hiring profiles. In addition, technical perspectives were also taken into account, with proposals aimed at improving interoperability and interfaces and establishing and using data pools in the federal administration (see also the Federal Government's Data Strategy). Finally, suggestions for better handling of data protection regulations, for the establishment of data sets to close the gap in interdisciplinary data as well as for improved cooperation on a European level were developed.

The project is part of a collaboration funded by the BMBF on "Research and Advice on COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis Management". Information on the other sub-projects can be found on the website of the Stifterverband and the Hans-Bredow-Institut.

In addition to the expert report, various publication projects have emerged from the project. Both the publication of the report by the project partner as well as further publications will be published here on an ongoing basis. If you have any questions about the project, please get in touch with Benoît Dumas  (dumasuni-potsdamde). 

Further links:

Contact

For further information please contact:

Benoît Dumas