Ministry of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education

Science and Innovation Council

In July 2023, the Prime Minister appointed members to the Science and Innovation Council for a four-year term, pursuant to Act No. 137/2022 on the Science and Innovation Council. In accordance with Article 5 of the Act, the Minister appoints nine members to the Council on the basis of proposals submitted by a dedicated Nomination Committee, one of whom is designated Chair of the Council. Deputy members are nominated and appointed in the same manner.

The Act on the Science and Innovation Council entered into force on 1 April 2023. Its purpose is to strengthen policy formulation and coordination in the fields of science, technological development, and innovation in Iceland, with the aim of reinforcing the national knowledge society and enhancing the competitiveness of the Icelandic economy.

In June 2025, the Government adopted a Strategy on Science, Technological Development and Innovation to 2035. The Strategy sets out a ten-year vision for the future and is founded on a proposal prepared by the Science and Innovation Council.

The role of the Science and Innovation Council is to:

Provide the Ministerial Committee on Science and Innovation, as well as the Minister responsible for science and innovation, with strategic advice on policy development in the fields of science, technological development, and innovation, with particular regard to addressing major societal challenges.
Offer feedback to the Ministerial Committee by reviewing the Government’s vision and policy, and by submitting well-reasoned recommendations for improvements, taking into account international developments in science, technological progress, and innovation.
Promote informed and critical public debate on science, technology, and innovation, their status, and their significance for Icelandic society, through reports and open meetings.
Publish an annual status report on science, technological development, and innovation in Iceland.
Collaborate with experts in science, technological development, and innovation within ministries in order to strengthen knowledge of the state of affairs in these fields in Iceland, including through regular briefings and the development of indicators.

Appointment of the Science and Innovation Council

Principal Members:

Freysteinn Sigmundsson, Scientist in Geophysics at the University of Iceland, Chair
Elín Díanna Gunnarsdóttir, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Akureyri
Finnur Ulf Dellsén, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Iceland
Hildur Einarsdóttir, Director of Research and Development at Össur
Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, Chief Executive Officer of CCP
Kolbrún Hrafnkelsdóttir, Founder of Florealis
Lotta María Ellingsen, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Iceland
Paul Nurse, Director of the Crick Institute in the United Kingdom
Robert Jan-Smits, Chair of the Board of Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands

Deputy Members:

Ásdís Jónsdóttir, Specialist at the EFTA Development Fund in Brussels
Ásthildur Margrét Otharsdóttir, Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Frumtaki
Bryndís Snæbjörnsdóttir, Professor of Visual Arts at the Iceland University of the Arts
Guðbjörg Linda Rafnsdóttir, Professor of Sociology at the University of Iceland
Karl Ægir Karlsson, Professor of Biology at Reykjavik University
Kristinn Rúnar Þórisson, Professor of Computer Science at Reykjavik University
Kormákur Hlini Hermannsson, Chief Engineer and Co-founder of Nox Medical
Tinna Laufey Ásgeirsdóttir, Professor of Economics at the University of Iceland
Örn Almarsson, Founder of Axelyf

Governance structure of the Science and Innovation Council

Ministerial Committee on Science and Innovation

The Ministerial Committee on Science and Innovation serves as the central coordinating body for government policy in the fields of science, technological development, and innovation. Its purpose is to ensure coherence across ministries, strengthen strategic foresight, and enhance transparency in policy development, thereby supporting Iceland’s long-term competitiveness and societal well-being.

The Committee is mandated to:

Coordinate government policy in science, technological development, and innovation, ensuring alignment across sectors and ministries.
Strengthen oversight and policy coherence, reinforcing the Government’s ability to address national priorities in a systematic manner.
Sharpen the long-term vision, providing a clear strategic direction for science, research, and innovation policy.
Enhance transparency and accountability in the formulation and implementation of science and innovation policy.
Draw on the expertise and active advice of the Science and Innovation Council to inform decision-making.

Permanent members of the Committee are the Prime Minister; the Minister of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education; the Minister of Education and Children; Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate;the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs; the Minister of Health; the Minister of Industries; and the Minister of Social Affairs and Housing.

Pursuant to Article 4 of the Act on the Science and Innovation Council, the administration and preparation of meetings for both the Science and Innovation Council and the Ministerial Committee on Science and Innovation are the responsibility of the Ministry of Science. An official of the Ministry serves as Secretary to the Committee. The Minister of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education appoints representatives of the Ministries to sit on a interministerial working group on science and innovation.

Interministerial working group on science and innovation

The role of the Interministerial Working Group on Science and Innovation is to prepare meetings of the Science and Innovation Council and the Ministerial Committee on Science and Innovation, as well as to coordinate the work of ministries in this field.

The Minister of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education has appointed representatives to the Interministerial Working Group on Science and Innovation. The group consists of:

Principal Members:

Guðbjörg Andrea Jónsdóttir, Chair, Ministry of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education
Rósa Guðrún Erlingsdóttir, Vice Chair, Prime Minister’s Office
Hrafnkell Tumi Kolbeinsson, Ministry of Education and Children
Herdís Helga Schopka, Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate
Guðmundur Skúli Hartvigsson, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs
Kristín Ninja Guðmundsdóttir, Ministry of Health
Rafn Helgason, Ministry of Industries
Tryggvi Haraldsson, Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing

Deputy Members: