The Icelandic Science and Technology Policy System and Technology Foresight

1. The Icelandic Science and Technology Policy System and Technology Foresight Dr. Eiríkur Baldursson Secretary of the Science and Technology Policy Council

2. Overall Organisation of Scientific Research in Iceland PARLIAMENT (ALTHING) Ministry of Environment Min. of Industry & Trade Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Fisheries Ministry of Health Ministry of Finance Ministry of Education, Science and Culture RANNÍS The National Museum of Iceland University of Akureyri Icelandic University of Education Other University level Institutions The Icelandic Museum of Natural History Mývatn Res. Station Nature Con- serv. Agency The National Land Survey of Iceland. Meteorological Office Technological Institute Building Research Institute ISOR - Iceland Geosurvey Agricultural Univeristy Forest Research Laboratory Directorate of Freshwater Fisheries Marine Research Institute Icelandic Fisheries Laboratories UNIVERSITY OF ICELAND Faculties of Social Science Theology Philosophy Law Medicine Odontol. Business/ Economics Natural Science Engineering University Hospital Institutes & labs Other Government Institutions Non-Profit Organisations The Icelandic Cancer Society The Clinic of the Icelandic Heart Association Direct Responsibility The Molecular and Cell Biology Research Laboratories of the Icelandic Cancer Society Environmental and Food Agency of Iceland The Administration of Occupational Safety and Health Flow of finds

3. Overall Organisation of The Scientific Research in Iceland THE PARLIAMENT (ALTHING) Ministry of Environment Min. of Industry & Trade Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Fisheries Ministry of Health Ministry of Finance Ministry of Education, Science and Culture The Science and Technology Policy Council RANNÍS Techn. Dev.Fund ResearchFund Agricultural University Forest Research Institute Directorate of Freshwater Fisheries Soil Conservation Service The National Museum of Iceland University of Akureyri Icelandic University of Education Other University level Institutions The Icelandic Museum of Natural History Mývatn Res. Station Nature Con- serv. Agency The Nat. Land Survey. Meteorological Office Technological Institute Building Research Institute ISOR - Iceland Geosurvey Marine Research Institute Icelandic Fisheries Laboratories UNIVERSITY OF ICELAND Faculties of Social Science Theology Philosophy Law Medicine Odontol. Business/ Economics Natural Science Engineering University Hospital Institutes & labs Other Government Institutions Non-Profit Organisations The Icelandic Cancer Society The Clinic of the Icelandic Heart Association Direct Responsibility The Molecular and Cell Biology Research Laboratories of the Icelandic Cancer Society Environmental and Food Agency of Iceland The Administration of Occupational Safety and Health Flow of finds

4. The structure for STI policy in Iceland PARLIAMENT GOVERNMENT Science and Technology Policy Council (Four Ministers (+2) and 14 members from ministries, research community and industry - PM Chair) Ministry of Industry and Trade Ministry of Education, Science and Culture Science Committee Technology Committee Research Fund Technical Development Fund The Icelandic Center for R&D RANNÍS Fund for Equipment Centre for Techn. Innovation IceTec Fund for Research Training and Graduate Education

5. Different Technology Foresight Needs • “The objective of a technology foresight exercise is to assess the potential and emerging scientific and technological topics in a defined number of areas, their impact on competitiveness and societal fabric and the potential response of societies, while examining the possibilities to exploiting potential synergies across technologies and to develop guidance for setting research agendas, including the identification of priorities.” (Slightly abbreviated and changed by me.) • Policy level: Abstract formulations • Implementing level: Problems with translation • Operational level: Again problems with translation

6. TF: Nevertheless the best available instrument • Creates a climate for shared visions • Reflects on necessary preconditions and measures to be taken • Assists in setting priorities • Provides milestones for assessment • The process as important as the conclusions

7. S&T policy statement 2003Key issues • To strengthen the role of competetive public funding • Linking funding to policy objectives – Better coordination between funds. Doubling of the appropriations to competitive funds during the mandate period of the Government • To strengthen the universities as research institutions. • Redefine criteria for doctoral programmes • Increased international co-operation • The evaluation of the quality as well as the relevance of university research • To redefine the role of public research institutions • Reorganisation of sectoral research institutions and redefining their relation to universities and business sector • Other policy issues • Strong international participation – Nordic, EU, N-America, Asia, Arctic • Continuity of funding instruments – from science to innovation and social benefit! • Innovation support programmes to be coordinated • Equal gender opportunities improved • Promoting interest of students in primary and secondary schools in science and technology.