16.3.1
Policy on Providing Expert Advice to Government
1. Purpose
This policy establishes the framework through which the University of Thessaly provides expert scientific and technical advice to local, regional, and national government authorities. It ensures that such collaboration is independent, transparent, evidence-based, and aligned with the University’s mission to serve society through knowledge, research, and innovation.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
– All academic staff, researchers, and research units engaged in advisory activities to public authorities.
– All formal or informal requests for policy guidance, expert opinions, or participation in governmental committees.
– All collaborations with ministries, municipalities, regional authorities, and parliamentary or administrative bodies at the national or EU level.
– Both institutional and individual expert contributions made on behalf of the University.
3. Definitions
– Expert advice: Provision of specialized knowledge, evidence, or recommendations to inform policymaking or decision processes.
– Governmental body: Any local, regional, or national authority, agency, or public institution requesting University input.
– Policy guidance: Formal submission of analysis, research, or recommendations to government entities.
– Advisory engagement: Participation of University experts in working groups, committees, hearings, or consultations.
– Conflict of interest: Any circumstance where personal, financial, or institutional interests could unduly influence expert judgment.
4. Policy Statement
The University of Thessaly recognizes its responsibility to contribute expert knowledge to the formulation of public policy and governance at all levels. To that end, the University shall:
1. Encourage and support faculty and research units in providing independent, evidence-based advice to public authorities.
2. Ensure that all advisory contributions are free from political, commercial, or personal bias.
3. Promote participation in governmental committees, public consultations, and expert working groups.
4. Maintain records of all formal advisory engagements involving University representation.
5. Establish procedures for managing potential conflicts of interest in advisory activities.
6. Guarantee transparency in the provision of advice, ensuring that outputs are published where appropriate.
7. Uphold confidentiality and data protection where required by law or institutional agreement.
8. Recognize advisory work as a form of public service and societal impact within academic evaluation frameworks.
5. Implementation Responsibilities
The Rector, through the Office of Public Relations, is responsible for coordinating all official interactions between the University and government authorities. Specific responsibilities include:
– Maintaining a Registry of Governmental Advisory Engagements (RGAE).
– Supporting academic units in preparing formal advisory submissions.
– Ensuring compliance with legal, ethical, and confidentiality requirements.
– Facilitating coordination between multiple University entities involved in the same policy domain.
– Promoting visibility of expert contributions through University communication channels.
The Ethics Committee shall monitor the academic and research relevance of advisory activities and ensure proper documentation of their societal impact.
6. Participation and Recognition
Faculty and researchers may participate in governmental advisory processes as individual experts or as institutional representatives, provided prior notification is given to their department and the Rector. Advisory activities are recognized as part of the University’s mission of knowledge transfer and community engagement. Participation in advisory committees or expert panels shall be included in annual activity reports and academic evaluations.
7. Monitoring and Reporting
The Rector shall prepare an Annual Report on Governmental Advisory Activities, summarizing:
– The range of government bodies engaged.
– The themes and policy areas addressed.
– The nature and outcomes of University contributions.
– Identified good practices and recommendations for improvement.
The report shall be presented to the University Senate and published in the University’s Public Engagement Report.
8. Review and Amendment
This policy shall be reviewed every three (3) years or earlier if required by national legislation or institutional restructuring. Revisions shall be proposed by the Directorate of Public and International Relations and approved by the Governing Council.
9. References and Compliance Frameworks
– Greek Law 4957/2022 on Higher Education Governance
– Greek Code of Administrative Procedure (Law 2690/1999)
– HAHE ESG 1.1, 1.3, 1.4 (Governance and External Engagement Standards)
– UN SDG 16 & SDG 17
– European University Association (EUA) Public Engagement Guidelines
– University of Thessaly Code of Ethics and Conduct