Brussels, 9-11 March 2005
Science in Society On-line Library
The Library contains links to a wealth of science and society-related resources on the web. It is by no means an exhaustive list of on-line resources dealing with the science and society interface but is meant as a starting point to help you get started.
Science and Society in Europe This portal provides an entry point to the Commission’s science and society activities and through it you will learn about the EU efforts to take science out of the lab and into the public arena.
EU Research Headlines This is the Commission’s gateway to news and information about scientific research and technological development in the European Union.
CORDIS This Commission website provides information on EU-backed research and development. It includes a news service, a database of Union-funded projects and guidance on how to apply for European research funding.
Biosociety Research On-line This Commission website seeks to stimulate interactions between biotech researchers and social scientists, economists and ethical experts active in the field of life sciences. It also informs and opens a dialogue with interested citizens on relevant European policies and research activities.
EU News The EU News page provides access to the latest and archived press releases of nearly all the Union's institutions. It also contains such information as the official euro exchange rate, Eurostat press releases, and news in pictures offered to television channels throughout Europe. The calendar presents a selection of forthcoming events from the EU political agenda.
European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy This Committee’s portfolio covers a number of EU policy areas, including industry, research, space, energy, nuclear safety, and information society technologies.
The Office for Official Publications of the European Communities (OPOCE) OPOCE is the publishing house of the institutions and other bodies of the European Union. It is responsible for producing and distributing EU publications on all media and by all means.
Science and Society in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) This web page provides information on the science and society cross-cutting activities funded under FP6 as part of its ‘Structuring the European Research Area (ERA)’ priority.
Research in Europe – Ethics Committees – Facing the future together On 27 and 28 January 2005, representatives of local and regional ethics committees attended this conference organised by the Commission. Good practices, obstacles and pitfalls were considered, leading to the formulation of recommendations for future activities.
TOP
RTD info RTD info is a quarterly magazine published by the European Commission presenting a mix of research results and debate on scientific subjects of interest to a wide, non-specialised readership. The common theme is Europe.
Information and Technology Transfer
Euroabstracts Euroabstracts helps the busy professionals and policy-makers keep abreast of the latest innovation-related research and publications with thought-provoking and incisive reviews of the latest reports and books, as well as a major feature article and interview.
Science’s Next Wave Science's Next Wave is a weekly on-line publication that covers scientific training, career development, and the science job market in Europe and the USA.
Nature Nature is a weekly international journal publishing peer-reviewed research in all fields of science and technology on the basis of its originality, importance, interdisciplinary interest, timeliness, accessibility, elegance and surprising conclusions.
New Scientist (UK) New Scientist is a leading UK popular science magazine with a global perspective aimed at scientists and non-specialists alike. It has been published weekly since 1956.
Science Magazine (USA) Science Magazine is a weekly magazine covering the latest research developments across the globe. It releases a monthly special edition of essays on science and society. It also has an associated daily news service. It is published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
La Recherche (FR) [FR] La Recherche is a monthly French-language science magazine covering the latest news emerging from the world of science and technology.
Natur+Kosmos (DE) [FR] Natur+Kosmos is a German-language magazine covering the natural sciences, the environment, and much more.
Futuro (ES) [ES] Futuro is the science and technology supplement of leading Spanish daily El Pais.
The New Atlantis (USA) The New Atlantis is a science and technology journal aims to clarify the ethical and political understanding of all areas of technology – from stem cells to hydrogen cells to weapons of mass destruction. It is published by the US-based Ethics and Public Policy Centre (EPPC).
Channel 4's Science in Society (UK) UK independent broadcaster Channel 4 runs a regular series on the impact of science on society and the various science-related issues facing modern society. This site also covers other science topics, including body and mind; science in medicine; science in engineering, and more.
Seed Magazine (CA) Seed is an award-winning independent popular science magazine based in Canada. It is targeted at general readership of people interested in science and its impact on culture and society.
ESRC Science in Society Programme (UK) The goal Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) Science in Society Programme is to explore the rapidly changing relations between science (including engineering and technology) and the wider society, and thereby to facilitate debate and policy development. The ESRC is an independent organisation funded by the UK government.
Society in Science (CH) Society in Science: The Branco Weiss Fellowship is dedicated to exploring new avenues in the relationship between science and society. It is aimed primarily at researchers from the life sciences who want to challenge traditional disciplinary boundaries. With financing for Swiss entrepreneur Branco Weiss, this programme is run by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH).
Cité de Sciences et de l’Industrie (FR) [FR] Cité de Sciences et de l’Industrie is a French science and technology museum built around a number of thematic areas, namely science and society; the living world and the environment; hard sciences and industries; children; hobbies and practical skills.
Café Scientifique Café Scientifique is a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology. Meetings have taken place in cafes, bars, restaurants and even theatres, but always outside a traditional academic context.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Helpdesk The main objective of the IPR-Helpdesk is to assist potential and current contractors taking part in Community funded research and technological development projects on intellectual property rights (IPR) issues. The IPR-Helpdesk advises also on Community diffusion and protection rules and other issues relating to IPR in international research projects. Another more global objective of the action is to raise awareness of the European research community on IPR issues, emphasising their European dimension.
Geology and society: expert groups for scientific advice Use of geology expertise for more effective administration of sustainable development, environmental quality and standards, land use planning, environmental management and use of resource.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) With a mission “to build peace in the minds of men”, UNESCO was founded in 1945 in the wake of World War II. Today, UNESCO functions as a ‘laboratory of ideas’ and a standard-setter to forge universal agreements on emerging ethical issues. It also serves as a ‘clearinghouse’ for the dissemination and sharing of information and knowledge.
The Association for Politics and the Life Sciences (APLS) The APLS is an international association of scholars, scientists, and policy-makers that was founded in 1980. It focuses on life science-related policy issues.
The Loka Institute The Loka Institute is a non-profit research and advocacy organisation concerned with the social, political, and environmental repercussions of research, science and technology.
Cluster I: Popularisation of science
Science on the web – the Netherlands – NL [NL] Kennislink is an independent, virtual platform for science communication based on the network idea. More than 60 Dutch and Flemish partners offer their public information via Kennislink. It now contains over 7 000 articles and multi-media items.
Science on the web – Sweden – SE [SV] forskning.se (research.se) is a nationwide Swedish website that provides information on research and research findings. It aims to generate interest in research as a source of information, insight and development – both for the individual and for society.
Science on the web – Norway – NO [NO] Targeting young adults, forskning.no (research.no) is a web service with news, background articles, multimedia applications and interactive services from Norwegian and international research. It reports on all facets of research.
SCP – University Science Communication to the Public – IS [IS] SCP draws on two existing initiatives: the Icelandic Web of Science (IWS) and the Young People’s University (YPU). IWS introduces scientific concepts by answering questions posed by the public. YPU is a summer school for young people covering such fields as engineering, languages, physics, and ethics.
CORDIS – the EU’s on-line research and innovation information service CORDIS assists researchers, entrepreneurs, business specialists, government agencies, political decision-makers, public services, non-profit organisations, journalists and various key players in the R&D and innovation fields. This dynamic and interactive platform encourages technology and knowledge transfer across national borders in Europe, including accession, candidate and associated countries.
AlphaGalileo Foundation – UK AlphaGalileo is Europe’s internet-based research news service. It provides media worldwide with access to the latest European research news. The Foundation is UK-based but operates in collaboration with ten European countries and all the research promotion and media bodies in Europe. AlphaGalileo Foundation is working with its partners and the European Commission towards the creation of a proactive European research press centre.
Expertanswer – SE [SV] Expertanswer is a media service offering journalists from all over the world access to Swedish science sources and research news. Around 4 000 journalists in Sweden and other countries are members and uses the service for queries and as a news source.
European Science and Technology Week – EC Through thought-provoking activities across Europe, European Science and Technology Week aims to create a totally new perspective on science. The emphasis is on showing, rather than telling, Europeans how science and technology affects them, from the simplest gadgets to the most sophisticated satellite technology.
Engineering in summer – PT [PT] ‘Engineering in summer’ brings the engineering of everyday life to the attention of the public by promoting direct contact with specialists in the field. It organises visits to large engineering facilities and to companies where engineering plays a central role.
GSF – Genova Science Festival – IT [IT] The Genova Science Festival seeks to lay a common ground where science and society meet in an interactive and diversified way. Using appealing and simple language, the Festival is a showcase of events with a ‘scientific flavour’.
House of Science – SE [SV] Visitors to the House of Science – teachers and secondary school students – can conduct amusing but rather advanced experiments in physics, astronomy and biotechnology.
Invent an ET! – PT [PT] To explore the topics of communication and the five senses, this interactive exhibition was built around the theme of inventing an extraterresterial. Each experiment enabled the children to choose the ET’s various sensorial characteristics.
IPUSTS – Improving Public Understanding of Science and Technology in Slovenia – SI [SL] The Slovenian Science Foundation has launched a number of initiatives to enhance the public image of science, such as the hands-on ‘science adventures’ organised at the annual Slovenian Science Festival. Children learn important scientific concepts through actual experimentation.
Science Picnic – PL [PL] Science Picnic is an annual outdoor fair which takes place in the Market Square of Warsaw’s old town in June. For that one day only, a city of 130 tents sprouts up, where scientists and students carry out different science-related activities.
SFPL – Warsaw Science Festival – PL [PL] The Warsaw Science Festival is organised by academics for the general public. Visitors can observe scientists carrying out real experiments, take part in hundreds of activities and attend science lessons.
YESS – Yearly European Science Society – EC YESS is a new annual event organised for 9 May (Europe Day). In 2005, it will take place in ten different EU countries where citizens will participate in demonstrations, activities and debates on the topic of brain research.
ZIELONA – Green Action – PL [PL] Rather than bringing children to universities, academics in Poland hit on the novel idea of taking the universities to the children. Known as ‘Green Action’, this initiative encourages students at various higher educational institutes to give up two months of their summer holidays to attend kids camps at remote rural schools.
Cluster II: Debates and participatory processes
CLIMAX – Interactive exhibition on global warming – FR [FR] The CLIMAX exhibition peers into the future to chart the various possible climate change scenarios. It is an interactive expo – including films, forums and simulators –that is part of a long-term process including a consensus conference on climate change.
Nanoforum – UK, , DE, ES, FR, NL, PL, BG, TR, AT Nanoforum is an on-line nanoscience and naotechnology platform that seeks to promote communication within the nano-community and with other stakeholders about the exciting developments in this emerging field. It also aims to help coordinate fragmented EU research efforts.
PPGI – Public Participation and Governance of Innovation – IT [IT] PPGI has sought to test out – for the very first time in Italy – new methods of citizen participation in techno-scientific policy. As a test case study, the topic of GMO research was selected as the main focus of panel discussions.
Technology foresight in Greece – EL The Greek Technology Foresight has been examining the implications of emerging science and technology on the future of Greek society and the economy. In particular, it has sought to investigate how science, research and technology are expected to contribute gradually, over the next 20 years, to shaping the emerging Greek ‘Knowledge Society’.
TRUSTNET – Improving governance of hazardous activities – EC Trustnet is a pan-European think tank dedicated to improving the governance of hazardous activities. Having diagnosed failings in conventional regulatory regimes, TRUSTNET has identified a new approach based on a more inclusive, participatory regime. Inclusive governance is directed towards restoring the political dimension of decisions on new or contentious technological activities by gradually opening the decision framing process to concerned individuals and organisations.
AMRC – Messenger Role of Medical Research Charities – UK The Association of Medical Research Chairites communicates with the public on medical and health science issues. It has focused on creating medical science ‘messengers’ and enabling individuals to embark on their own journeys of discovery.
Democracy on the move – AT [DE] New Orientations for Democracy in Europe >node< is an innovative research programme in Austria seeking to embed science and society issues at all levels of research. It encourages the participation of stakeholders in the research programme, stimulates continuous dialogue between science and society, and promotes specific target groups like young researchers and women.
Cluster III: Addressing groups of society
fFORTE, Women in Research and Technology – AT fFORTE is a comprehensive programme aiming to dismantle the career impediments holding back women in science and research. The programme proposes remedial measures to correct the gender imbalance in science, and carries out training courses for women.
FiF Contact Point: coaching for women scientists – DE [DE] The FiF Contact Point offers specialised seminars for German women – who are under-epresented at European level – to help increase their participation in EU-backed research. It seeks to integrate gender mainstreaming into the forthcoming Seventh Framework Programme.
CEWS – Coaching for Women Scientists – DE [DE, EN] CEWS has helped hundreds of women to prepare their (junior) professorship applications in special career training and coaching seminars conducted across the country. The programme addressed female scientists from all fields.
MERA – Pupils in Research – CY [EL, EN] MERA is a science competition for elementary and secondary school students who submit research proposals and projects in order to compete for financial awards and commemorative certificates. The MERA competition aims to develop a science and research culture for youngsters from the early stages of their education.
Science Generation: bridging the gap between Biosciences and Citizens – FR, IT, SE Science Generation seeks to remove the barriers to communication between citizens, experts and decision-makers by promoting new forms of dialogue between bioscience and society and giving ordinary citizens an active role to play in the discussion process.
EFYP – Ethical Forum for Young People – DK The Ethical Forum for Young People has explored various bioethical issues, including cloning (in 2001), the biotechnological enhancement of humans (in 2003), and the ethical aspects of stem cell research (in 2005). Debates are conducted in schools all over Denmark and 17 students are selected to become members of theForum for a particular year.
EMBO – Biology education and communication – EC The European Molecular Biology Organisation is contributing to building a ‘European Education Area’. An example of this is ‘Continuing Education for European Biology Teachers’ – a training programme for school teachers across Europe. Communication prizes, media workshops, and public conferences complete EMBO’s Science and Society Programme.
YEBN – Young European Biotech Network – IT, DE, FR, CH, NL, PL, PT, AT, FI, HU The Young European Biotech Network (YEBN) is an international non-profit organisation for young students, PhDs and scientists from 12 European countries. It aims to strengthen co-operation in Europe in order to increase the competitiveness of the European Life Science sector worldwide. YEBN promotes and is promoted by a responsible and dynamic community of young people.
ZUKUNFTSWERKSTATT – Didactic concept for knowledge transfer – DE [DE] Zukunftswerkstatt has developed a specific didactic concept for the transfer of knowledge. This concept differs considerably from traditional science transfer and is characterised by such aspects as an understanding of science and technology and a specific reference to the daily environment of the individual target groups.
COST – European Co-operation in the field of Scientific and Technical research – EC COST is the oldest and broadest European intergovernmental network for research co-operation. Established in 1971, COST is presently used by the scientific communities of 35 European countries to collaborate on common research projects supported by national funds. COST’s bottom-up nature resulted in many Actions that were close to the direct needs of society.
ERRIN – European Regions Research and Innovation Network – EC The European Regions Research and Innovation Network is a Brussels-based community designed to help regional players to participate fully and effectively in the European Research Area by improving coordination and communication between regional representations.
ETHNIC – Raising Awareness of S&T among Ethnic Minorities – AT, CZ, HU, IT, SI, UK ETHNIC seeks to mainstream racial equality issues in science by raising awareness among both the scientific community and ethnic minorities. This involves promoting the idea among the most marginalised ethnic groups that science is not the exclusive preserve of others and is an option for everyone.
ISSNET – Improving Science Shop Networking – NL, DE, AT, RO, DK, ES, FR, UK, USA Improving Science Shop Networking (ISSNET) helps existing science shops – community-based research organisations – to share their expertise and to help interested individuals and organisations set up their own community-based research organisations.
Regional Research and Development Centres – IL [IL] Regional R&D Centres conduct research that presents unique advantages to the regions in which they operate, and also contributes to the social and economic prosperity of the area. Leading local scientists carry out the research.