Context
The STEP Conference is an expert conference under Belgian Presidency of the Union organized under the Horizon Europe-funded project, which aims to bridge the gap between research and policymaking in Europe. The conference emerges in a time of increasing societal complexity, where the need for evidence-informed policy has never been greater. Challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, migration, diplomatic threats and social inequalities demand nuanced and context-aware policy solutions that integrate insights from Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts (SSHA).
While science-policy interfaces have been steadily evolving, gaps remain in how evidence—particularly from SSHA disciplines—is incorporated into policymaking processes. The STEP Conference addresses this by providing a dedicated moment of exchange between the concerned main players: policymakers who demand evidence, scientists who provide evidence and the in-between institutions who link the two. The conference offers a dynamic and engaging moment of discussions around the main topics of this larger debate. It contributes to an increasing movement of raising EIPM higher on the European and national agendas.
The STEP Conference is taking place in Brussels and gather a wide range of stakeholders from the EU and beyond, including policymakers, researchers, civil society actors, and knowledge brokers.
Overall Objectives
Strengthen collaboration between policy and research communities
Foster dialogue and mutual understanding between those who generate evidence and those who use it, particularly at the EU and national levels.
Promote the role of SSHA in evidence-informed policymaking
Highlight the value and contribution of Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts in addressing complex policy challenges.
Share best practices and tools
Present successful case studies, frameworks, and mechanisms that improve the uptake of evidence into policymaking.
Support capacity building
Offer knowledge-sharing and skill-building opportunities for early-career researchers, policymakers, and other intermediaries.
Expand networks and partnerships
Facilitate connections among actors involved in science-for-policy work, strengthening cross-sector and cross-border cooperation.
Lay the groundwork for future collaboration and policy impact
Produce actionable insights, recommendations, and possibly joint initiatives that will continue beyond the conference.
