On 5 March 2025, Development Today published an article by Ann Danaiya Usher titled “Scientific Advisory Council in Limbo as Sida Mulls Over Its Future”. Read more for a summary of the article.
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On 5 March 2025, Development Today published an article by Ann Danaiya Usher titled “Scientific Advisory Council in Limbo as Sida Mulls Over Its Future“. The article explores the Swedish government’s decision to potentially abolish the Sida Scientific Council, an independent advisory body that has provided research-based guidance to the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) for 15 years. Academics view this as part of a broader trend of deprioritizing research in development policy.
The Sida Scientific Council, composed of nine scientists, was created to advise Sida on research cooperation and capacity building in partner countries. However, its mandate expired in December 2024, and the government has not renewed it. While the Foreign Ministry has not confirmed the council’s termination, Sida’s Director General, Jakob Granit, stated that the government does not intend to reinstate an independent scientific advisory body.
The uncertainty follows a series of government actions weakening development research. In 2022, the Conservative-led government cut Sida’s research budget from SEK 990 million to SEK 440 million. In 2023, it ended Swedish Research Council funding for development research, slashing approximately SEK 200 million in annual grants. These decisions faced strong academic opposition, with 600 researchers signing a protest letter.
Former Sida Scientific Council chair Thomas Elmqvist described the damaging effects of these cuts, including contract terminations and postponed investments. After months of government inaction, he resigned in early 2024, arguing that the decision ignored parliamentary directives. Jesper Sundewall, global health researcher at Lund University and SweDev chairperson, called the situation “very unfortunate,” questioning why a government claiming to prioritize research would dismantle an independent advisory body.
Although briefly reinstated in mid-2024 under Professor Anna Mia Ekström, the council’s mandate expired again by year-end. Members emphasized the need for an evidence-based approach at Sida, warning that removing the advisory body could undermine research-driven policymaking. In an effort to maintain research engagement, Sida held a roundtable discussion with Swedish researchers in early 2025 to explore ways to involve the research community in its development work.
Sida’s Board Chair, Gunilla Carlsson, supports an external advisory function, but the government’s position remains unclear. If not reinstated, Sida may form an internal group, though academics warn this could weaken its independence. The ongoing uncertainty raises concerns about Sweden’s commitment to research-based development policies.
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