What the study found
Academic expert involvement differed substantially across parliament, government, and the media in Belgium. The study found limited repeated participation and limited overlap of experts across these arenas, while senior male professors from the social sciences and humanities were consistently overrepresented relative to the academic population.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say the study offers insight into whose voices shape evidence-informed policymaking and how arena-specific dynamics structure that participation. They also note that the findings help show how scientific expertise functions in policymaking across direct and indirect arenas.
What the researchers tested
The researchers conducted a comparative analysis of academic expert involvement in three Belgian arenas: parliament, government, and the media. They used a self-compiled dataset of 17,843 consulted actors, including 3,440 academic experts, and examined overall patterns, repeated participation, cross-arena overlap, and expert profile characteristics.
What worked and what didn't
The analysis showed substantial variation in academic expert involvement between arenas. It also found limited repeated participation and limited cross-arena overlap. Across arenas, senior male professors in the social sciences and humanities were overrepresented, and arena-specific logics such as supply and demand dynamics, gatekeeper mechanisms, and mandate structures appeared to shape involvement.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe specific limitations beyond the study's focus on Belgium and the three arenas it examined. The findings are based on the dataset and comparisons described in the abstract, so the scope is limited to those settings.
Key points
- Academic expert involvement varied substantially across parliament, government, and the media in Belgium.
- Repeated participation of the same experts was limited, and overlap across arenas was also limited.
- Senior male professors from the social sciences and humanities were overrepresented relative to the academic population.
- Arena-specific logics, including supply and demand dynamics, gatekeeper mechanisms, and mandate structures, shaped involvement.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Academic expert involvement varies across policymaking arenas
- Authors:
- Janne Ingelbeen, Tessa Haesevoets, Bram Wauters
- Institutions:
- University College Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, European Corporate Governance Institute
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-19
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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