Judith Merkies is leading the formulation of evidence-based policy recommendation, though the establishment of the Evidence-to-Action (E2A) Board and the SIL network. With a proven track record in politics, advocacy and network building through her work in public and private sectors, as well as her experience as a Member of the European Parliament and her current academic role at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, she focuses on bridging research and policy to tackle social isolation and loneliness.