Scientific expertise
The Académie des Sciences, strengthened by its independence, interdisciplinarity and the expertise of its members, offers scientific opinions on complex issues of societal scope.
Expertise and advice
Whether called upon by public authorities or deciding to take up important issues, the Academy offers reports, opinions and recommendations based on rigorous, impartial analysis. Its extensive network of experts enables it to federate a broad community beyond its membership to respond to contemporary issues in a comprehensive and informed manner.
The definition of expertise
Indeed, the Académie adopts the definition of expertise established in 1997 by Philippe Roqueplo: the expression of knowledge formulated in response to a request from those who have a decision to make, in the knowledge that this response is intended to be integrated into a decision-making process. The procedures prescribed by the Academy's Charter are therefore only implemented if the work envisaged corresponds to the definition of expertise. This verification constitutes the first stage of the project, known as qualification.
Mission and international roots
Unique in its grouping of national and international experts, the Academy of Sciences is distinguished by its roots in the international scientific community.
The latter enables it to address global issues with a broad perspective and innovative solutions.
The choice of experts
- The Academy's Select Committee determines which members of the Academy are competent on the question posed and can be considered experts in the field concerned;
- The latter decide whether to call on outside experts, and within what timeframe the conclusions must be submitted;
3. The experts contacted, whether or not they are members of the Académie, disclose in writing any links they may have with certain interests concerned by the appraisal and likely to compromise their neutrality;
4. In the light of this information, the Academy's Board rules on their participation in the appraisal.
A commitment to transparency
The Académie makes available the list of experts selected, their curriculum vitae and any links between the experts and the parties involved in the appraisal.
A text is drawn up - an agreement, or terms of reference in the case of self-referral - specifying the purpose, timetable and conditions of the expert appraisal: form of response expected, methods of communicating results, possible financing...
Dissenting opinions taken into account
Minority opinions are taken into account and expressed at two levels:
- The expert report itself mentions the points on which the state of available knowledge does not allow a decision to be reached with sufficient certainty. It explains the controversies, whether or not related to uncertainties, and mentions any divergent opinions expressed by the expert committee. It recalls that the points decided with sufficient certainty are based on the state of scientific knowledge at the time;
- In the light of this expert report, the Académie's plenary assembly expresses an opinion as a panel of citizen-scientists who are not all experts on the question raised, but who are experienced in the scientific method and are guarantors of the quality of methodologies. This opinion is voted on by a simple majority and appended to the expert report. The expression of minority opinions is appended to the opinion.
The final report, comprising the expert report and the opinion expressed by the Academy as a whole on this report, is submitted to the commissioning authorities or, in the event of self-referral, to the competent authorities. Save in exceptional cases, the results are made public.
