SPIA (science-policy interface agency) has its genesis in an ongoing process of consultations with European policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, civil society organisations and journalists on how best to bridge the science-policy communications gap.
The agency was founded in 2010 by Terry Martin, a Berlin-based journalist and broadcaster. As SPIA’s director, Terry oversees all of the agency's activities. SPIA has its roots in Terry’s experience as a communications consultant to the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) unit of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. Terry began advising the unit in 2008.
Addressing a need for enhanced communications capacities in EU-funded research and innovation projects, Terry wrote the guidebook Communicating Research for Evidence-based Policymaking (European Commission, 2010). He also shaped development of the EC's SSH Policy Brief series (2008-09) and co-delivered a highly acclaimed communication masterclass series for SSH researchers in Brussels (2010-12). Terry has contributed to science-policy interface efforts within the EC’s Environment DG as well.
In addition to writing scores of news articles on EU-funded research for the SCOOP news service, Terry has moderated many policy-oriented research events and served as rapporteur for major conferences, including the conclusion of the EU’s public consultation on the creation of the European Research Area.
SPIA shares the EU's commitment to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. And we wholeheartedly endorse initiatives enabling researchers to produce policy-relevant insights on a pan-European scale.
Selected clients:
- The European Commission (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation)
- The Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation
- ACATECH (National Academy of Science and Engineering - Germany)
- Leibniz Association (Germany)
- Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (Germany)
- The Conference Board (Europe)
- net4society (Europe)
- Google (Germany)