What's Coming Up in Research Policy in the Second Half of 2025?
So far, 2025 has seen a flurry of policy initiatives as the new European Commission got down to work. August offers a moment to pause and reflect ahead of a busy autumn.
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Exclusive: Retraction-prone Editors Identified at Megajournal PLoS ONE
Exclusive: Retraction-prone Editors Identified at Megajournal PLoS ONE
Study says small editor group handled many problematic manuscripts - and a Nature investigation finds out who they are.
Europe is breaking its reliance on American science
European governments are taking steps to break their dependence on critical scientific data the United States historically made freely available to the world, and are ramping up their own data collection systems to monitor climate change and weather extremes
Switzerland Offers No Lifeboat to US Scientists
Switzerland has declined to launch initiatives to entice US scientists, while Europe has opened its doors. What's next for Swiss research?
How the US Fails at Science Diplomacy, but Could Do Better
How the US Fails at Science Diplomacy, but Could Do Better
The country is lagging behind the EU and China as a reliable research partner. But this can be fixed.
Experts Defend ERC from Commission Overreach in FP10
The European Commission's push to exert more control over the European Research Council (ERC) risks undermining one of the EU's most successful scientific institutions, policy experts warn.
Germany and Other EU States Stall Scientific Sanctions Against Israel
Germany and Other EU States Stall Scientific Sanctions Against Israel
EU governments have not yet agreed to back proposals by the European Commission to suspend Israel from part of Horizon Europe, as alarm grows in Europe at mass famine in Gaza.
Metascience Is More Important Now Than Ever
A growing research field known as 'the science of science' will be essential for navigating an uncertain future.
Peer Review is Broken, and Pedagogical Research Has a Fix
The lessons of decades of research into assessment and feedback haven't tracked across into the practice of peer review. Why not?
AI Will Soon Be Able to Audit All Published Research - What Will That Mean for Public Trust in Science?
AI Will Soon Be Able to Audit All Published Research - What Will That Mean for Public Trust in Science?
An AI audit of scientific research would likely expose some fraud and widespread inconsequential work. But we need to be careful it doesn't discredit science in general.
Why Does It Always Rain in the School Holidays? The Science Behind Our Summer Weather Patterns
Why Does It Always Rain in the School Holidays? The Science Behind Our Summer Weather Patterns
Discover why summer holidays often bring rainy weather and explore the science behind our UK's unsettled summer weather patterns.
What U.S. Science Stands to Lose Without International Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Researchers
What U.S. Science Stands to Lose Without International Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Researchers
Neuroscience in other countries will strengthen-at the United States' expense-as rising visa restrictions and rejections block many international students from enrolling at U.S.
Africa's Innovations Are Overlooked Because Global Measures Don't Fit: What Needs to Change
Africa's Innovations Are Overlooked Because Global Measures Don't Fit: What Needs to Change
Many of Africa's most powerful innovations are not being measured correctly.
Open Science And A Robust IP Strategy: Life Sciences Can Do Both
European Commission Wants to Suspend Israel from Parts of Horizon Europe
The European Commission has suggested blocking Israel from a grant targeting start-ups, as EU outrage grows at Israel's food blockade of Gaza, which has begun to cause widespread starvation in the besieged territory.
The Key to Success: Why University Startups Don’t Perform as Well as Corporate Startups
The Key to Success: Why University Startups Don’t Perform as Well as Corporate Startups
The review article explores the differences between university startup entrepreneurs and corporate entrepreneurs, and why the latter are more successful.
NSF Scientists Denounce Trump Administration Policies
National Science Foundation employees are among the latest federal scientists to issue a statement expressing concern over the Trump administration’s actions. The statement refers to “a series of politically motivated and legally questionable actions by the Administration that threaten the integrity of the NSF.”
Has the European Commission Listened to Its Advisors on FP10?
Last week, the European Commission unveiled plans for the next €175 billion iteration of Horizon Europe, set to run from 2028 until 2034. Researchers' organisations across Europe are now combing the fine print to see whether it meets expectations.
Communicating Science is an Uphill Struggle for Europe's Researchers
Communicating Science is an Uphill Struggle for Europe's Researchers
Communicating science to the public has been a part of the job for academic researchers for years, but the rise of social media and growing misinformation about science has raised the stakes. As national funders take steps to better prepare their researchers for public engagement, EU programmes are struggling to meet demand for support.
Narrative CVs Are Rewriting Academic Stories and Identities
A new study explores how narrative CVs are reshaping research evaluation and academic representation.
Silent Power Guzzlers: Switzerland's Booming Data Centres
Data centres are popping up across Switzerland, driven in part by demand for AI. They come at a cost: by 2030, the centres could consume 15% of the country's electricity.
What Happens When the Nuts and Bolts of Science Diplomacy Come Loose?
US science diplomacy has focused too much on preventing transfer of sensitive technology instead of on international collaboration.
EU Urged to Exempt Research Spending from Deficit Rules
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is calling on the EU to introduce a major change to its rules to encourage member states to invest more in R&D: decouple national research and innovation investments from deficit rules until the EU's 3% of GDP target is met.
National Science Foundation Staff Decry Trump's 'Politically Motivated' Cuts
Workers allege illegal terminations, censorship and collapse of scientific review standards
Retractions in Scientific Publishing: Why They Happen and Why They Matter
While the decision to retract is always difficult, retractions help ensure research integrity.
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