Horizon 2020 has as a notable ambition to address grand societal challenges. It fits in Europe’s strategy for jobs and growth, called Europe 2020, where research and innovation play a key role. In this context, several questions have arisen. Read more […]
Some worry basic science will get left in the dust once changes in the new European Commission are set in stone. But before we fret in the wrong direction, should we stop to think about what terms like ’basic,’ ’applied,’ ’innovation’ and ’society’ translate to in reality? With all arrows pointing to the need for economic growth, many have begun to wonder how changes in the new European Commission will affect the balance between basic and applied research. But scholars in Science and Technology Studies (STS)— a field that investigates the relationships between scientific knowledge, technological systems and society— say that this linguistic dichotomy of ’basic’ versus ’applied’ research masks the real issues at stake. Read more […]
Recently, national governments in several European countries have merged their ministry for science and research, with the portfolio of economic affairs. This is true, at least for the moment, in the UK, in Spain, and in Austria. So far, these three countries stand out as an exception in the European map. Does this mean that research has been reduced down to being the object of mere economic considerations? Read more […]
Resisting a reduced spend on science in Europe may require decision makers to understand the mechanisms that makes them discount future benefits in return for short-term certainty on cost savings. Is it better to invest money now or save it for a rainy day? A dilemma faced by millions of people in the tough economic climate: invest now for an uncertain return in the long-term future, versus saving it for short-term needs. Read more […]
The scientists’ group Euroscience, the European Research Council and the League of European Research Universities have renewed efforts in the face of funding fears. Scientists and university groups have launched a late push against cuts to the Commission’s plans for Horizon 2020, ahead of a meeting of EU leaders that could seal the next seven-year budget for research. They have made fresh pleas urging decision makers to secure a budget of at least €80 billion for Horizon 2020. Read more […]
Peter Tindemans, secretary general of grassroots scientists’ group Euroscience, shares his views on the forthcoming battle of the budget for Horizon 2020. Should cut be imposed on the initial budget plan, they should be made in a considerate manner, by avoiding duplication of effort and ensuring that the funding schemes are run in a leaner way. Read more […]
The European Council, the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers, the European Commission, have all gone out of their way to stress that Europe can only find the path to recovery if it keeps investing in education, research and innovation. Read more […]
It’s a familiar refrain to both research practitioners and policy-makers in the UK and across Europe: “we’re great at science; but poor at innovation”. Read more […]
The next EU research funding programme, Horizon 2020 will maintain the core principals of its predecessor Framework 7. The proposed future programme will fund excellent science (€24.6 bn), industrial leadership (€17.9 bn) and societal challenges (€31.7 bn). It also includes consolidated and revised funding guidelines as the EC continues to strive for simplified funding applications, reporting and auditing. The proposal for Horizon 2020 was presented to the European Commission on 30 November 2011. Read more […]
Policy-makers, industry leaders and researchers debated the future of gender and innovation at the first European Gender Summit which took place in Brussels on the 8th and 9th of November 2011. Read more […]
In their recent paper, the European Parliament’s committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) have called for a ‘stairway to excellence’ to enable new member states to participate more in EU research funding. Read more […]
European science conversations by the community, for the community
