Lise Øvreås Elected as New President of EASAC

"In a time of increasing uncertainty, the spread of misinformation, and weakened trust in science, it is crucial that decision-makers have access to the best available knowledge at all times," says Øvreås.

EASAC (European Academies’ Science Advisory Council) brings together the national science academies of EU member states, along with those of Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, to provide independent, research-based advice to European policymakers. Through its three programs in biosciences, public health, energy and the environment, EASAC publishes reports prepared by independent experts.

“That Lise has been chosen to lead this important work is great, and will provide opportunities to be a central part of scientific advice in Europe. It also opens up opportunities for increased visibility for topics that we are concerned with here and for the expertise that exists in our scientific fields,” says Eystein Jansen, one of the founders of the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research and Vice President of the European Research Council (ERC).

Scientific Alliances in Europe

For Øvreås herself, there was no natural path that led her to politics. On a daily basis, she works as a professor and researcher in geomicrobiology at the University of Bergen and the Bjerknes Centre.

"I'm not a politician by nature. The path has formed as I’ve walked it," Øvreås explains.
"It was never a goal for me to take on such a position, but it is incredibly exciting to see how important science is to political decision-making. When working with these kinds of alliances, you gain a voice that is heard and can be carried forward."

Øvreås has been involved with EASAC for six years and has led the environmental program since 2024. She describes it as an admirable institution that she has come to know well. She sees great value in building alliances across Europe.

"When we inform decision-makers about the outcomes of EASAC reports, the research must be of the highest possible quality. It's about trust in scientists and science, and it’s incredibly important that we support that trust," says Øvreås, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic as an example.

"During the pandemic, we saw the need for more interdisciplinary work. We couldn’t just focus on natural sciences, and we’re seeing the same today. Technological development is rapid, and society is constantly changing. When assessing research to inform policy, we need to see the bigger picture. That’s why it’s important that ordinary people trust scientific results. Today, we are facing many large and global challenges, such as climate change, environmental problems, and health risks—where decisions must be made under uncertainty and with the risk of major consequences."

Activist or Researcher?

When WWF (World Wildlife Fund) sued the Norwegian state over plans to open seabed mining, Lise Øvreås was called in as an expert witness and was asked by the judge whether she saw herself as a researcher or an activist.

"I was a bit taken aback," Øvreås recalls.
"I’ve spent much of my research time observing the seafloor through cameras attached to underwater robots, areas no one has seen before. That involves hundreds of hours on boats observing, recording, collecting samples, and hundreds of hours in the lab analyzing and producing data, then describing our findings. If you communicate your expertise in an area, does that make you an activist?"

It’s a relevant issue for many researchers. Science and research are becoming increasingly politicized, especially climate science.

"Many who have opinions about the deep sea don’t have those hours of work behind them. From that perspective, I want to use my expertise to communicate and share knowledge. It’s then up to the recipients to make their own choices, but they should at least be aware of the available research findings," she says.

"We put the knowledge on the table. It is then the responsibility of politicians to use it properly when making their decisions. EASAC’s main mission is to provide national and EU policymakers with research-based information, so they can make informed choices," says Øvreås.

A Heart for the Ocean and the Arctic

As a researcher with a background in geomicrobiology and many years of work in ocean and climate science, Øvreås brings a unique perspective to her role as president. During her time at EASAC, she has worked to raise issues such as the Atlantic Ocean, deep-sea minerals, and the Arctic on the agenda.

"It’s no secret that many countries on the European continent have different challenges and perspectives than those in the far north. But the Arctic is a very important part of Europe. Climate change is dramatic there—the temperature is rising four times faster than the global average. It is also a region rich in natural resources, food, energy, and minerals of high international interest. In addition, we are now seeing increased global political interest in the Arctic."

"Even though the ocean and the Arctic are close to my heart, EASAC will of course continue working broadly through all three panels. At the same time, I want to highlight underrepresented areas and address relevant knowledge gaps that are important to continue working on."