Last week, science advisers to governments around the world gathered in Auckland for a conference to discuss how best to deliver advice to politicians and policy makers grappling with major global challenges. One of the speakers was Sir Mark Walport, the chief scientific adviser to the British government, whose role partly inspired the creation of a science adviser position in New Zealand.
In this interview, Sir Mark discusses the role of science advisers and the impact of science on society. You can also read a Rough Guide to Science Advice, published in the Guardian before the Auckland summit, or listen to a Science Media Centre podcast of a discussion about science advice in the face of opposing views.
