Galaksija: Representation of science in Yugoslavia’s socialist-era popular science magazine
This article analyses science coverage in Galaksija, a cult popular science magazine published in socialist Yugoslavia, in the mid-1970s. Read more [...]
Tag Archives: Politics
Lessons from Ancient Greece to a changing world
Matias Barberis reflects on the role of history to learn how to face a pandemic affecting the world geopolitics, society and economy. Read more [...]
India: Modi’s War on Science
While India is increasingly producing science outputs, there are several steps back due to the scientific temperament of the political circles. Read more [...]
The new Yellow-Green Italian Government
There is a refreshing new tone both in the Italian Parliament and Government. A rejuvenated politics, with a shot of populism generated a government of Parties bitterly opposing until the very last minute. The new, Yellow-Green Government, known as “Government of change”, is leaded by a coalition between the two Parties “League” and “Five Stars Movement”; they signed a “Government contract” of about 50 pages and 30 points. We do some considerations on the Research strategy proposed in the contract with specific attention to human resources in research. Talents attraction represents a point of concern. A short comment on Trieste ESOF is also included. Read more [...]
All good things come to an end
The Cambridge Analytica scandal has shown that the work of scientists is not neutral. The work of psychologists who designed the questionnaire aimed at profiling Facebook users might have been stellar work in its own right, within the standards of the field. But the way the answers to the questionnaire were later used for the purpose of influencing the political choices of the Facebook users who took the questionnaire, is--to say the least--questionable. This scandal is a case in point to show that there is no better time to continue the dialogue of the role of scientists in society. After 5 years working as Editor of EuroScientist, I would like to announce that I am now moving on to pastures new. Read more [...]
This article is sponsored by
4th European Conference for Science Journalists
Find out how to become a sponsor
Scientific advice for politics: The European way
Politics is not an exact science: moral choices, traditions, communication and many other aspects play important roles. But working on politics without caring for scientific evidence is almost certainly a recipe for failure. In the last few years, the European Union has struggled to find its own, formal model for conveying scholarly knowledge in its policies. After a tangled attempt to concentrate this task into a single Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA), the Commission opted in 2015 for a much more complex Scientific Advisory Mechanism (SAM). The High Level Group at the top of the mechanism was appointed in November 2015. The seven prominent scholars that form the committee discuss their first year and a half of work in a debate at the European Conference for Science Journalists, taking place in June in Copenhagen, Denmark. Read more [...]
Science under siege
“you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say”
Tyrion III, A Clash of Kings, George R.R. Martin
In the first days since Trump took office as 45th president of the United Read more [...]
What do Croatia’s election results mean for its neglected science?
In the second Croatia’s election in the past year – following the collapse of an inefficient coalition plagued by corruption allegations – they have once again elected no single majority. Read more [...]
Can academics entering politics bring more evidence into policy
In Greece and Spain, a new generation of left-wing academics has now entered polictics. They claim to reinvent the way policy is shaped by relying both on evidence and on meeting the need of citizens. However, the way in which the results of academic research are actually taken into account in policy making is not straightforward. So are they likely to rely more than their predecessors on evicence-based policy? Read more [...]
Cedric Villani: Scientists are trained to solve difficult problems
They call him the “Lady Gaga of the mathematicians”. And he does not really mind. French mathematician Cedric Villani has become a bit of a pop icon after obtaining the Fields Medal in 2010. This highly prestigious award is the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for Mathematics; except that it is awarded every four years. And it is only destined to people younger than 40. Incidentally, until now, no woman has won it. Read more [...]
Mark Walport: Scientists need to realise politicians use multiple lenses to look at problems
“Science and technology are absolutely crucial to make the best policy decisions in contemporary societies,” says Sir Mark Walport. He knows what he is talking about. A medical doctor by training, he has since last year taken the position of Chief Scientific Advisor for the UK government. This is a privileged position at the interface between politics and academia. Read more [...]
EuroScience: EU MUST invest in growth and jobs and cut unfair agricultural subsidies
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 [...]
EuroScientist journal 