opinion articles

Send us a link

Subscribe to our newsletter

Scientists brace for tighter scrutiny of potentially risky research

Scientists brace for tighter scrutiny of potentially risky research

Expert panel recommends stricter reviews of research involving pathogens or toxins that could have “dual use”

Is Science Really Getting Less Disruptive - and Does It Matter if It Is?

Is Science Really Getting Less Disruptive - and Does It Matter if It Is?

A study suggesting papers and patents that change the course of science are becoming less dominant is prompting soul-searching - and lively debate about why, and what to do about it.

Tools Such As ChatGPT Threaten Transparent Science; Here Are Our Ground Rules for Their Use

Tools Such As ChatGPT Threaten Transparent Science; Here Are Our Ground Rules for Their Use

As researchers dive into the brave new world of advanced AI chatbots, publishers need to acknowledge their legitimate uses and lay down clear guidelines to avoid abuse.

Science and Politics Are Inseparable

Science and Politics Are Inseparable

Ideally, policy makers are relying on the best available science to inform their decisions. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, because often “politics” gets in the way. And that is why it is crucial that scientists recognize their power.

Doomsday Clock at Record 90 Seconds to Midnight Amid Ukraine Crisis

Doomsday Clock at Record 90 Seconds to Midnight Amid Ukraine Crisis

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set its Doomsday Clock at 90 seconds to midnight, the closest to midnight the clock has been since it was established in 1947 to illustrate global existential threats at the dawn of the nuclear weapons age.

Researchers Engaging with Policy Should Take into Account Policymakers' Varied Perceptions of Evidence

Researchers Engaging with Policy Should Take into Account Policymakers' Varied Perceptions of Evidence

This post highlights four different approaches to evidence in policymaking and suggest how researchers and policy organisations might use these findings to engage differently with policy

Fighting for Science and Democracy: Lessons in Advocacy from the Classroom to the Street

Fighting for Science and Democracy: Lessons in Advocacy from the Classroom to the Street

The fight for science is far from over, so what does it take to bring science advocacy into the classroom and beyond?

'Do No Significant Harm' Principle in Horizon Europe is a Chance to Rethink Policy

'Do No Significant Harm' Principle in Horizon Europe is a Chance to Rethink Policy

The European Commission's acknowledgement that research and innovation have the potential to generate environmental harms can be viewed as a landmark in the history of research policy.

Stop Congratulating Colleagues for Publishing in High-Impact Factor Journals

Stop Congratulating Colleagues for Publishing in High-Impact Factor Journals

The current scholarly publishing system is detrimental to the pursuit of knowledge and needs a radical shift. There have already been many attempts and partial successes to drive a new shift in scholarly publishing. Many of them should be further developed and generalised.

There’s one big subject our leaders at Cop27 won’t touch: livestock farming

There’s one big subject our leaders at Cop27 won’t touch: livestock farming

It’s on course to guzzle half the world’s carbon budget, so why are governments so afraid to discuss it?

Technical Reports Provide Scientific Evidence to Underpin Africa's Case at COP27

Technical Reports Provide Scientific Evidence to Underpin Africa's Case at COP27

In this article, the Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation team's Dr Duncan MacFadyen and Rendani Nenguda write about the technical reports developed through the African Group of Negotiators Expert Support, which provides an armful of scientific evidence to underpin Africa's case at COP27.

Viewpoint: Making the Case for the European Innovation Council's Top Down Research Programmes

Viewpoint: Making the Case for the European Innovation Council's Top Down Research Programmes

The European Innovation Council's (EIC) future will involve more horizon scanning, intelligence and strategy, according to a programme manager responsible for scoping the potential for technological and innovation breakthroughs and for directing EIC health-related projects, to ensure there is a coherent plan that will support development of a competitive sector.

The Guardian View on Elon Musk's Twitter Takeover: the Unfulfilled Promises Pile Up

The Guardian View on Elon Musk's Twitter Takeover: the Unfulfilled Promises Pile Up

The world's richest man promises more than he has delivered. His social network purchase is likely to go the same way

Reflections on Guest Editing a Frontiers Journal

Reflections on Guest Editing a Frontiers Journal

The authors critically discuss their experience as guest editors for a Frontiers journal. They aim to foster open scholarly debate about Frontiers publishing practices, triggered by Frontiers hindering such debate on their own pages.