Following the science? Views from scientists on government advisory boards during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study in five European countries

ABSTRACT

ObjectivesTo explore the views and experiences of scientists working on government advisory boards during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim to learn lessons for future pandemic management and preparedness. DesignExplorative qualitative interview study. ParticipantsTwenty one scientists with an official government advisory role during the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium, the Netherlands, UK, Sweden or Germany. MethodsOnline video or telephone semi-structured interviews took place between December 2020 and April 2021. They were audio recorded and transcribed, and analyzed using a combination of inductive and deductive thematic analysis techniques. ResultsScientists found working on the advisory boards during the COVID-19 pandemic to be a rewarding experience. However, they identified numerous challenges including learning to work in an interdisciplinary way, ensuring that evidence is understood and taken on board by governments, and dealing with media and public reactions. Scientists found themselves taking on new roles, the boundaries of which were not clearly defined. Consequently, they received substantial media attention and were often perceived and treated as a public figure. ConclusionsScientists working on advisory boards in European countries faced similar challenges, highlighting key lessons to be learnt. Future pandemic preparedness efforts should focus on building interdisciplinary collaboration within advisory boards; ensuring transparency in how boards operate; defining and protecting boundaries of the scientific advisor role; and supporting scientists to inform the public in the fight against disinformation, whilst dealing with potential hostile reactions. O_TEXTBOXWhat is already known on this topicO_LITo tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have established various types of scientific advisory boards to provide evidence and recommendations to policy makers. C_LIO_LIWith science becoming a focal point of this pandemic, scientific advisors also found themselves in the public eye. C_LIO_LIAs more attention is being paid to analysing what we can do to be better prepared for the next pandemic, the views of key actors, i.e. government scientific advisors, is still largely missing. C_LI What this study addsO_LIThe government scientific advisors working during the COVID-19 pandemic faced a number of challenges such as working in an interdisciplinary way with their peers on scientific boards, establishing a working relationship with government allowing evidence to be taken on board, and dealing with media and public reactions. C_LIO_LIIt is crucial that we take on board key lessons shared by scientific advisors, which calls for building interdisciplinary collaboration within advisory boards; ensuring transparency in both how boards operate and clear boundaries of scientists-government relationship; and supporting scientists in their role of informing the public. C_LI C_TEXTBOX