Roadmapping Science in Society

 

The relationship between science and society should be thought over in a systematic way because more and more worrying signs show that the key societal publics have been losing interest in science and, in turn, science does not get enough inspiration from society. In order to have a greater prestige, which would, e.g., attract more talented young people, in order to draw more public and private sources into research funding, in order to convince the different publics and stakeholders about relevance of science, the scientific community should renew its relationship with society. The conceptual background is provided in the document with the programme at the bottom of this page.

 

Roadmapping Science in Society Workshop

Impact, Evaluation and Accountability

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, France
30 June - 1 July 2009

The starting point of the roadmapping event was that scientific institutions need to develop a new approach to their relationship with society, considering recent tendencies like the broadening of scientific activities and their changing impact on society. Science should prepare roadmaps for new and improved relationship with their environment and build a real two-way communication so that it can regain trust citizens and other publics seem to have been losing.

The meeting was opened by Dr. Arnold Migus (CNRS Director General) - see his speech - and Professor Marja Makarow (ESF Chief Executive) - see presentation. 

Jean-Pierre Alix, the chair of the meeting, then gave an introduction to the background rationale and aims; this was followed by  a roundtable with distinguished speakers from varying backgrounds to set the scene for discussion:

  • Philippe Galiay, European Commission, Research DG RTD-L3 “Governance and Ethics” (PPT)

  • Frédéric Sgard, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

  • Lawrence Busch, Michigan State University, USA and Lancaster University, UK (PPT)

  • Helen Wallace, GeneWatch UK (PPT)

  • Hanns-J. Neubert, European Union of Science Journalists' Associations (EUSJA) (Presentation)

  • Camilla Modéer, Public and Science - Vetenskap och Allmänhet (VA) (PPT)

The first afternoon ended with an introductory Presentation on ESF Instruments (Member Organisation Fora and Forward Looks).

On the second day, the 50+ participants split into three Working Groups, focusing on important discussion points and questions, in the areas of:

  • Medical and Life Sciences
    Chair: Günter Stock, Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities

  • Physical and Engineering Sciences
    Chair: Philippe Galiay, European Commission

  • Social Sciences and Humanities
    Chair:  Andrea Cerroni, University of Milan-Bicocca

A concluding final session brought all participants back together, and it was decided to proceed with a proposal for a Member Organisation Forum.  Thie lauch of this activity was approved by the ESF Governing Council in October 2009.

See the full meeting programme and rationale, including a list of participants