Science in Society: Caring for our futures in turbulent times

2005

Science and Society activities developed in the 6th Framework programme have the very specific role of questioning mainstream research and research-based policies. This is indeed a very useful role. It is important to bear in mind, especially when preparing the next Framework Programme, that the European Research Area vision is not only about contributing to European Industry competitiveness; it is not only about fostering coordination of European research; it is not only about underpinning other Community policies in their efforts towards more and better Europe. It is also, and probably more so, about better understanding what science is in today's society and about stimulating a continuous and fruitful societal debate on the big scientific issues ahead of us. Questioning our own activities, fostering change, adaptation and improvement is a sine qua non condition to avoid complacency and self-replicating structures. Such questioning is an essential feature of a renewed research policy at the dawn of this new century. Considering this "raison d'être", it would have been odd to stick to a classical approach while reflecting on new forms of European governance. Acts and words had to be put together, creating a space where people could build their own agenda with their own words and reflect together: this is how Gover'Science was born! Its aim was twofold. On one hand, to enrich current activities, both in terms of project activities and policy making, and on the other hand, to increase the robustness and efficiency of future strategies on how to articulate the interface between science, policies and society: how to really foster institutional and social change? How to identify future research issues and to revisit strategies in the field of Gover'Science? And, above all, how to translate words into action? From 'Science and Society' to 'Science in Society'

2009

, underlined that the ERA is firmly rooted in society and responsive to its needs and ambitions in pursuit of sustainable development. In July 2009, the Lund Declaration called for a new deal in European Research advocating that the identification of the Grand Challenges must engage the major stakeholders including the European institutions, business, public services, NGOs and the research community. Citizens have an increasing and widely acknowledged stake in science, research and innovation. The objective of the programme 'Science in Society' in FP7 'Capacities' to reinforce the societal dimension of the European Research Area is intrinsically linked with the efforts to revitalise the economy and improve the quality of life in Europe. It supports European trans-national research and policy activities, with a focus on the dynamic governance of the research system, the ethical soundness of research and the responsible conduct of science, public engagement in science and involvement of Civil Society Organisations, the gender agenda and the promotion of scientific education, scientific culture and science communication. This report by the MASIS expert group is the first step of an innovative initiative of the European Commission, the MASIS Project: MASIS stands for Monitoring Activities of Science in Society in Europe. It represents a collective overview on emerging trends and cross-cutting issues in Science in Society, making it a potentially valuable tool for researchers and for decision-makers, who strive for excellence and relevance. It is forward-looking into a number of challenging futures and develops the hypothesis of a European Model of Science in Society which needs further discussion. European research policy will continue to stimulate reflections and debate on the ways science and technology supports developments in our societies, as well as on how the latter integrate and make sense of research. European diversity is therefore an invaluable asset, from which we can all benefit. I am confident that this thought provoking report will provide a basis for reflection and innovative ideas on the ways European societies interact and shape science in the context of a true European Research Area.

Berlaymont Paper Issue 3. Bureau of European Policy Advisers, European Commission, 2013

Nature and …, 1998

Minerva, 2019

This project began with the changes in the names of the European Commission's action plans for the relationship between science and society. Analysing the main relevant documents in the last four European science policy framework programmes (FP5, FP6, FP7, H2020), we asked how much terminologies, meanings, and foci of attention have changed. A more detailed look confirms the growing importance attached to this area of intervention and the transformation in the priorities and conceptions orienting these policies. This gradual change not only largely reflects the academic debates on the need for more participatory and dialogical ways of bringing science and society closer together, but also poses new challenges when interpreting the ultimate goals and potential implications of the plans. Issues of governance of science and the transformation of scientific institutions are gaining ground compared to those of science education and public communication of science. Equally clear is the progressive incorporation of the questions of innovation and the markets into this area of political action, in a way reconfiguring the balance between aims related with democracy and participation, on the one hand, and economic competitiveness on the other. The range of social actors involved in these actions has also changed. Employing a discourse that is often vague, these plans tend to call for a certain de-differentiation of the roles traditionally attributed to the Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (

Science Technology Society, 2014

Changing Social Relations between Science and Society: Contemporary Challenges 2/26 Fondation Maison des sciences de l'homme-190 avenue

2009

The 2020 Vision for the European Research Area, adopted by the Council in December 2008, underlined that the ERA is firmly rooted in society and responsive to its needs and ambitions in pursuit of sustainable development. In July 2009, the Lund Declaration called for a new deal in European Research advocating that the identification of the Grand Challenges must engage the major stakeholders including the European institutions, business, public services, NGOs and the research community. Citizens have an increasing and widely acknowledged stake in science, research and innovation. The objective of the programme 'Science in Society' in FP7 'Capacities' to reinforce the societal dimension of the European Research Area is intrinsically linked with the efforts to revitalise the economy and improve the quality of life in Europe. It supports European trans-national research and policy activities, with a focus on the dynamic governance of the research system, the ethical soundness of research and the responsible conduct of science, public engagement in science and involvement of Civil Society Organisations, the gender agenda and the promotion of scientific education, scientific culture and science communication. This report by the MASIS expert group is the first step of an innovative initiative of the European Commission, the MASIS Project: MASIS stands for Monitoring Activities of Science in Society in Europe. It represents a collective overview on emerging trends and cross-cutting issues in Science in Society, making it a potentially valuable tool for researchers and for decision-makers, who strive for excellence and relevance. It is forward-looking into a number of challenging futures and develops the hypothesis of a European Model of Science in Society which needs further discussion. European research policy will continue to stimulate reflections and debate on the ways science and technology supports developments in our societies, as well as on how the latter integrate and make sense of research. European diversity is therefore an invaluable asset, from which we can all benefit. I am confident that this thought provoking report will provide a basis for reflection and innovative ideas on the ways European societies interact and shape science in the context of a true European Research Area.

International Social Science Journal, 2001