Contributing to public debate and policy development is one of the most urgent and important roles scientists can and must play, given the current crises or biodiversity, climate, and inequality. This talk explores recent public policy-related projects the author has been involved in, especially RE-BD AR2024 Accelerating renewable energy development while enhancing biodiversity protection in Switzerland; the Audit of the 2020 Climate Plan Vaud; and the Academic Citizens’ Assembly. These projects illustrate various dimensions of science-policy dialogue, in particular producing policy-relevant recommendations (RE-BD AR2024), directly engaging with policy (Audit PCV1), and engaging citizens and communities in learning and deliberating on policy-relevant issues. Finally, specific identified challenges and ways to overcome will be discussed.