A pan-European Scientists’ Community promoting an Open Science in an Open World
Ateneu Barcelones – 16 May 2017
The 2nd Homo scientificus europaeus Meeting will be organized at the Ateneu Barcelones on 16 May 2017. Its aim is to foster the creation of a large pan-European community of citizen-scientists supporting the new social contract between science and society. In the morning, representatives of grassroots associations and organisers of March-for-Science from across Europe will discuss national initiatives. They will lead to discussions about their convergence. The afternoon will focus on the concept of Science Open to Society and will feature scientists from Barcelona. The meeting, which will be streamed live on the internet to ensure a broad reach. It will conclude with a general debate on how to proceed for promoting an Open Science in an Open World.
You are welcome to support the meeting. The best way is to buy a great Tshirt at the Homo scientificus europaeus webshop:
We are living in very alarming times. Times where the unexpected, the counter-intuitive and the irrational make the headlines, as exemplified by some of the first announcements of the new US government. Increasingly, it seems that political power can be built on populist strategies integrating alternative facts and fake news as the new norm. These strategies contributed to the Brexit decision. And they are gaining ground in most European countries. Moreover, in an increasingly polarised world, key issues such as climate change, health policy, biodiversity or even the origin of the universe and mankind are confronted with intellectual dishonesty and denialism.
As scientists, we are so often astonished to see how scientific evidence that was so painstakingly gathered can so easily be dismissed. Indeed, people rejecting the so-called system or experts, also reject decisions made on the basis of objective analysis. This approach strongly contrasts with scientists’ search for relevant observations and robust knowledge before making any decision. As a result, as scientists, we may come across as being dogmatic and arrogant to the layman; still living in their ivory tower.
To address such disconnect, revisiting the social contract between science and society is therefore becoming urgent. This implies that we perform science that is geared towards serving the Common Good. For our society to thrive, the future of scientific research requires a long-term vision directed towards its well-being and the preservation of its environment, by protecting Mother Nature.
New science policy concepts have recently emerged. They open new paths towards more societally-relevant research and innovation. They come under many guises: Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), Open Science, Co-Creation or Participative Science. All these concepts converge towards the same goal: further developing a knowledge-based society where citizens and other stakeholders are an integral part of the research and innovation process.
A new social contract for science is essential to help in providing scientists with the necessary means and support–political and from society at large–to sustain the intellectual endeavour of tackling the challenges of our times.
In this context, the Brussels Declaration highlights twenty ethics and principles for science & society policy making. Pre-requisites for us scientists are, among others, adopting in our work the principles of integrity, openness, accountability and multi-disciplinarity. Social sciences and humanities have a key role to play too. Ultimately, however, this new social contract can only be achieved by creating a strong community supporting it.
Organisers
Gilles Mirambeau (EuroScientist, Scientists Dating Forum & UPMC Sorbonne Universités)
Jordi Serrallonga (Secció de Ciències i Tecnologia de l’Ateneu Barcelonès),
With the support of:
Moderators: Michele Catanzaro & Sabine Louët (EuroScientist),
Programme
Morning
10:00 – 10:15: Introduction
10:15 -11:15: Scientists’ Grassroots and March-for-Science Associations
Mike Galsworthy (Scientists 4EU, UK)
Rosario Mauritti (ISCTE-IUL, PT)
Patrick Lemaire (Science en Marche et Marche pour les Sciences, FR)
Interviews by videoconference of Justyna Wojniak (Polish Women Scientists, PL),
Varvara Trachana, (Thessaloniki, GR) and Francesco Silos Labini (Roars, IT)
Coffee break
11:30 -12:30:
Claudio Paganini (March for Science Berlin, DE)
Christine Heller del Riego (EuroScience & March for Science Copenhagen, DK)
Yoran Beldengrün (March for Science Barcelona and Scientists Dating Forum, ES)
Interviews by videoconference of Robin Vigouroux (Marche pour les Sciences Paris, FR), Brian Cahill (MCAA and March for Science Göttingen, DE)
12:30-13:30: Debate. Towards the Homo Scientificus Europaeus Cloud: a pan-european, bottom-up initiative for science.
Lunch
Afternoon
15:00-16:30: Scientists from Barcelona, RRI and participative Science
Toni Gabaldón (CRG)
Colomban de Vargas (ICM-CSIC, CNRS UPMC & Tara Oceans)
Rosina Malagrida (IRSICAIXA)
Raul Toran (ISGlobal)
Helena González (BigVanScience)
Coffee break
16:45-18:15: Open Science in an Open World
Sara Ricardo (MCAA, PT & ES)
Slobodan Radičev (EuroScience & OAA,RS)
Luc Van Dyck (EuroScience, BE)
Martin Andler (EuroScience, FR)
Barend Mons (HLEG EOSC, NL)
Interviews including Emilio Muñoz (CIEMAT,ES), Pandelis Perakakis (OS, GR &ES), Erik Schultes (FAIR DATA & DTL, NL),
Amaya Moro-Martin (STScl, US), Gary Mc Dowell (FoR,US).
Debate and conclusions
- Homo scientificus europaeus: Giving European scientists back their voice - 26 July, 2017
- A March for Science in a small countryside town? - 13 April, 2017
- Second Homo scientificus europaeus Meeting - 24 March, 2017
EuroScientist journal 