Biography
Vladimír Šucha brings over three decades of experience bridging the gap between scientific research and evidence-based policymaking at the highest levels. His expertise spans multiple sectors, with a particular focus on evidence informed policymaking, innovation ecosystems, the transformative impacts of technology, notably artificial intelligence (AI), on society, culture, and education.
Until the end of 2024 he was serving as Head of the European Commission Representation in Slovakia. It concluded his EU policy cycle which he started in 2000 as the member of Slovak EU accession negotiating team at the Slovak Representation to the EU in Brussels. His carrier then continued in European Commission as director and later Director-General at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2012-2019), overseeing a staff of over 3,000 and managing a €400-500 million budget across six sites in 5 EU member states. During this period, he spearheaded a major organisational transformation, shifting the JRC's focus from pure research to become a leading provider of policy support across over thirty DGs, delivering knowledge management, data analytics, and foresight capabilities. This involved significant staff redeployment and the successful negotiation of this transformation with the European Parliament, Council, and Member States.
Vladimír’s commitment to evidence-based policy is further exemplified by his cooperation with world leading scientific organisations. In 2021, he took a role of Senior Policy Advisor at UNESCO, where he contributed significantly to the development and implementation of the first-ever international Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. His expertise also extends to advising government leaders. As Advisor to the Prime Minister of Slovakia (2021), he provided counsel on education reform, innovation policy, and national competitiveness.
Before and along his policy career, Vladimír was active in the academic field. He holds a Doctor of Science degree (the highest scientific degree in Slovakia), is a Full Professor at Comenius University in Bratislava, and has authored or co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, boasting a high citation index (available on ResearchGate). His recent monograph, Humans and Societies in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, and the Science for Policy Handbook, demonstrate his commitment to disseminating research findings to relevant communities. He has served as a visiting scientist and professor at numerous institutions across the globe.
Throughout his career, Vladimír has consistently demonstrated leadership and negotiation skills, navigating complex political and institutional landscapes to deliver impactful results. His ability to synthesise complex research findings and translate them into actionable policy recommendations positions him as a highly sought-after expert in the field of science-policy interaction and the societal implications of technological advancement. He remains actively involved in supervising doctoral research and is a member of numerous national and international professional organisations and scientific boards.