Science and Technology Policy Council 2019-2021

The role of the Science and Technology Policy Council is to support scientific research, science education and innovation in Iceland so as to strengthen the foundations of the Icelandic culture and increase the competitiveness of the economy. The Council sets the official science and technology policy for a three-year period. The Council's deliberations in each of the two fields are prepared by its working committees, the Science Board and the Technology Board. 

The Prime Minister chairs the Science and Technology Policy Council and is one of its permanent members together with the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, the Minister of Education, Science and Culture and the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Innovation. The Prime Minister appoints two members to the Council. The other members of the Science and Technology Policy Council are nominated by:

• the Rectors' Conference of Higher Education Institutions; (4) 
• the Icelandic Confederation of Labour; (2) 
• SA Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise; (2) 
• the Minister responsible for science; (2)
• the Minister responsible for industry, business development and Innovation; (2) 
• the Minister responsible for health (1) 
• the Minister responsible for environmental research (1) 

The Council operates pursuant to the Act on the Science and Technology Policy Council.

Composition of the Science and Technology Policy Council 2019 to 2021:

• Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister, chair
• Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir, Minister of Education, Science and Culture
• Bjarni Benediktsson, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs
• Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Innovation
• Kristján Þór Júlíusson, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture 
• Svandís Svavarsdóttir, Minister of Health 
• Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources
• Unnur Anna Valdimarsdóttir Professor in Epidemology at the University of Iceland, appointed without nomination. 
  Alternate: Þóra Pétursdóttir, PHD in Archaeology, University of Trömsö, Norway.
• Jón Gunnar Bernburg, Professor in Sociology at the University of Iceland, appointed without nomination.
  Alternate: Eyjólfur Ingi Ásgeirsson, Docent at the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Reykjavík.
• Ragnhildur Helgadóttir, Professor and Dean of The School of Law at the University of Reykjavík, nominated by the Minister of Education, Science and Culture
  Alternate: Daði Már Kristófersson, Dean of The School of Social Sciences at The University of Iceland.
• Ásdís Jónsdóttir, Senior adviser at The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, nominated by the Minister of Education, Science and Culture.
  Alternate: Stefán Baldursson, Director General at the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.
• Ragnheiður H. Magnúsdóttir, Head of Utility Maintainance at Veitur, Reykjavík, nominated by the Minister of Industry and Commerce.
  Alternate: Sigríður Valgeirsdóttir, Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Industries and Innovation.
• Sæmundur Sveinsson, Phd plant genetics at Matis, nominated by the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture.
  Alternate: Helga Sigurrós Valgeirsdóttir, Business Manager Corporate Development & Marketing at Arion Bank.
• Halldór Björnsson, Group Leader of Atmospheric Research at the Icelandic Meterological Office nominated by the Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources.
  Alternate: Ester Rut Unnsteinsdóttir, Mammal Ecologist, The Icelandic Institute of Natural History.
• Margrét Helga Ögmundsdóttir, Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Iceland nominated by the Minister of Health.
  Alternate: Sigurður Yngvi Kristinsson, Professor at the University of Iceland.
• Erla Björk Örnólfsdóttir, Rector, Holar University College, nominated by the Rectors‘ Conference of Higher Education Institutions.
  Alternate: Eyjólfur Guðmundsson, Rector of the University of Akureyri.
• Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector at the University of Iceland, nominated by the Rectors‘ Conference of Higher Education Institutions. 
  Alternate: Guðbjörg Linda Rafnsdóttir, Professor at the University of Iceland.
• Fríða Björk Ingvarsdóttir, Rector Iceland University of the Arts, nominated by the Rectors‘ Conference of Higher Education Institutions.
  Alternate: Vilhjálmur Egilsson, Rector Bifröst University.
• Steinunn Gestsdóttir, Professor at the University of Iceland, nominated by the Rectors‘ Conference of Higher Education Institutions. .
  Alternate: Þórarinn Guðjónsson, Docent at the University of Iceland.
• Eyrún Valsdóttir, Head of the Education Services of the ICL (ASÍ), nominated by The Icelandic Confederation of Labour.
  Alternate: Finnbjörn A. Hermannsson, Chair of Byggidn, the Icelandic Builders‘ Union
• Róbert Farestveit, Economist at the Iceland Confederation of Labour (ICL), nominated by The Icelandic Confederation of Labour. 
  Alternate: Kristján Þórður Snæbjarnarson, Chair of the Union of Icelandic Electrical Workers.
• Hilmar Bragi Janusson, CEO at Genis, nominated by SA Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise.
  Alternate: Pétur Reimarsson, Engineer at SA Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise.
• Svana Helen Björnsdóttir, Executive Chair and Founder of Stiki, nominated by SA Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise.
  Alternate: Sigríður Mogensen, Director Creative Industries, Federation of Icelandic Industries.