Defunding of institutions, alongside disinformation spreading through an era where algorithms dictate what people consume, is eroding public trust in science and evidence.
In a new United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR) policy memo, Global Strategy Lab Director Mathieu Poirier argues that science-policy interface (SPI) models (the methods used to effectively inform and bring scientific evidence into policymaking) are under threat. And those working at the intersection of science and policy cannot simply defend the importance of scientific institutions; they must also show that SPI models can succeed in addressing emerging global health challenges.
The piece draws on a high-level workshop held in 2025 on next-generation science-policy interfaces, convened by the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research in partnership with the British Academy.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the biggest global health challenges of our time, causes over one million deaths globally and is projected to reduce average life expectancy by 1.8 years within a decade. As the Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against AMR (IPEA) is being established, Poirier highlights this as an opportunity to show that multisectoral collaboration can bridge divides between political and scientific interests to confront a collective action problem that no single country can solve alone.
Explore the work the AMR Policy Accelerator is doing to support the success of the establishment of an Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against AMR.
Designing a Scientific Panel on AMR
A well-designed scientific panel with a clear mandate could play a vital role in global AMR governance by providing evidence-informed recommendations to promote equitable AMR interventions.
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