My research is driven by the question of how political decisions shape forests and how scientific knowledge can contribute to evidence-informed forest policy. I examine the role of scientific knowledge in forest policy and political decision-making, investigating how scientific information is transferred into policy processes, how it interacts with other sources of political influence, and how its influence can be analysed and evaluated. My work combines qualitative forest policy research with actor-centred power analysis and methodological approaches to systematically assess and quantify political influence. It addresses forest-related policy challenges in Germany and across Europe, including climate-resilient forest management and forest ecosystem services.