We Can Stop Sacrificing Millions of Lives for Our Own Health
The Guardian's View on Animal Testing: New technologies can reduce our reliance on animal experiments. This isn't just morally right, it could have scientific and economic benefits too
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Making Funding for Open Science Infrastructure the Norm
While Open Science infrastructures are used a lot, their funding is precarious. TSOSI is a project that aims to improve this situation by making financial support for open infrastructure more visible.
Viewpoint: FP10 Proposal Risks Weakening Europe's Innovation Capacity
Viewpoint: FP10 Proposal Risks Weakening Europe's Innovation Capacity
Europe faces major societal challenges, from climate change and digitalisation to health and security. At the same time, global competition is intensifying, with the US and China leading the way in breakthrough technologies such as AI and quantum technology. For the EU to remain competitive the next EU Framework Programme for research and innovation (FP10) must strengthen, not sideline, the link between research and innovation.
The Case for Preserving Scholarly Blogs - Impact of Social Sciences
The Case for Preserving Scholarly Blogs - Impact of Social Sciences
Poor preservation threatens the scholarly blogging ecosystem. What makes scholarly blogs sustainable and how can these practices be promoted?
Industrial Policy Can Benefit from Research, but Should Not Dictate Priorities, Ehler Says
Industrial Policy Can Benefit from Research, but Should Not Dictate Priorities, Ehler Says
Innovation is Europe's main competitive advantage, but industrial policy must not dictate research priorities, said Christian Ehler following his confirmation as lead rapporteur for the tenth EU research Framework Programme (FP10) and co-rapporteur for the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF).
'Web of Incentives' in Research Funding Limit Academic Freedom
An indirect "creeping reduction of freedom" is taking place in academia, according to Maria Leptin, president of the European Research Council (ERC), Europe's main funder of fundamental research. This threat is distinct from government "oppression" of universities and scientists in populist regimes such as the US and Hungary.
Scientific Fraud: Analysis of a Growing Phenomenon
Scientific fraud: analysis of a growing phenomenon - Read the column on Polytechnique Insights
Is Donald Trump Conducting a 'Blitzkrieg' on Science?
Does the Trump administration’s sudden closure of many long-standing science advisory panels amount to what one academic calls a “blitzkrieg”?
To Rebuild Trust in Science, Scientists Must Change Who Tells Their Story and How
To Rebuild Trust in Science, Scientists Must Change Who Tells Their Story and How
Holden Thorp, PhD, the top editor at Science, discusses the essential role of front-line doctors and the power of conversations rather than confrontation.
Horizon Europe's Collaborative Projects Ask for the Impossible
Horizon Europe's Collaborative Projects Ask for the Impossible
Social sciences funding would be best spent on narrower calls. But would it dry up if we stopped pretending we can save the world, asks Andreas Schedler
Artificial Intelligence Is the New Language of Science
'The common basis of the EU and Hungarian Strategies is that the future of science is not only a technological but also a value-based issue. AI is the new language of science, but it will only serve progress if it remains ethical, transparent, and human-centred.'
China’s Historic Rise to the Top of the Scientific Ladder
For decades, Western scientists and policymakers dismissed China’s research boom as a matter of quantity over quality. Those days are over. In 2024, China achieved what seemed impossible just a few years ago, overtaking the United States in the number of publications appearing in the world’s most prestigious scientific journals.
Rethinking research impact
The way we think about the impact of university research, according to one Arizona State University leader, needs urgent and fundamental change.
Averting Conflict Can Become Switzerland's Role in Arctic Science Diplomacy
Averting Conflict Can Become Switzerland's Role in Arctic Science Diplomacy
Switzerland is making meaningful contributions to Arctic governance and multilateral dialogue, as the Arctic becomes a geopolitical and environmental epicentre.
From Language Barrier to AI Bias: The Non-Native Speaker's Dilemma in Scientific Publishing
From Language Barrier to AI Bias: The Non-Native Speaker's Dilemma in Scientific Publishing
For decades, researchers with English as an additional language have faced systemic disadvantages in publishing. AI writing tools promise relief, yet, they also bring new risks into science.
The REF Helps Make Research Open, Transparent, and Credible - Let's Not Lose That
The REF Helps Make Research Open, Transparent, and Credible - Let's Not Lose That
REF should be central to solving the collective action problems around openness, transparency, and accountability in research.
Who Deserves the Next Nobel? AI, Genius and Serendipity in Science
AI is increasingly becoming a part of Nobel winning science, how is this reshaping serendipity and what it means to make a scientific breakthrough?
Establish an 'ERC for Labs', Says Economics Nobel Prize Winner
The EU should establish a European Research Council (ERC) equivalent to give long-term support to research labs, one of the winners of this year's Nobel Prize for economics has argued.French economist Philippe Aghion was awarded the prize on October 13 for his work that argues economic growth relies on "creative destruction", with new more innovative firms pushing out old ones.
Three Years After the Launch of ChatGPT, Do We Know Where This Is Heading?
Nearly three years after ChatGPT's debut, generative AI continues to reshape scholarly publishing. While workflows are becoming more efficient, the long-term impact on research creation and evaluation remains uncertain.
Europe Stands at a Crossroads
Universities remain the backbone of social and technological progress. However, not everybody in Europe understands the power and strength of basic science and its importance for the future progress of the continent.
Is the Nobel Prize Still Relevant Today?
The Nobel Prize is considered the "Mount Everest of science." But it faces criticism over how winners are chosen, and may give a warped idea of scientific progress.
Research Ministers Confident of Role in Horizon Europe Negotiations
EU research ministers do not expect to have a reduced role during negotiations on the future Horizon Europe programme, despite Council plans to assign parts of it to finance ministers via the ad hoc working party on the next multiannual EU budget.
Jane Goodall
Pioneering scientist whose breakthrough studies of chimpanzees changed how the animals were perceived and led to greater protection.
'We Must Affirm Africa As a Co-author of Global Science'
Higher education and research have to take centre stage in shaping Africa's future - from data sovereignty to artificial intelligence and global h...
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