Construyendo puentes entre ciencia y política: el reto de la ONAC en la administración española. Entrevista a Josep Lobera

Abstract

The interview with Josep Lobera, Director of the National Office for Science Advice (ONAC, for its Spanish acronym), reveals the challenges and strategies for incorporating scientific knowledge into governmental decision-making in Spain. Lobera explains how ONAC, created in February 2024, works to overcome the «Valley of Death» between science and public administration through three fundamental pillars: an office at Moncloa, a network of ministerial scientific advisors, and a support unit at CSIC. The adopted model does not seek to directly influence decisions, but rather to bring scientific evidence closer to decision-makers. Lobera emphasizes the importance of soft skills and adaptation to administrative language so that science advice is perceived as a useful resource, aiming to institutionalize this practice as a State project.