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The Case for a National Disaster Research Strategy

The Case for a National Disaster Research Strategy

An integrated national research strategy is urgently needed to strengthen the country's efforts to prepare for and respond to disasters.

Switzerland and EU Insist on the Benefits of Horizon Europe Association, As Potential for New Disruption Looms

Switzerland and EU Insist on the Benefits of Horizon Europe Association, As Potential for New Disruption Looms

On the eve of officially signing Switzerland's late association with Horizon Europe, both sides are thinking about how to avoid renewed disruption when a new set of bilateral accords is brought forward next year.

Nazi Human Experiments Still Influence Medicine Today

Nazi Human Experiments Still Influence Medicine Today

A new database tells the stories of victims of forced medical research during the Nazi era. What role do the specimens and findings from that time play in modern medicine and research?

Political Extremism Creates 'Climate of Anxiety' for Scientists

Political Extremism Creates 'Climate of Anxiety' for Scientists

The rise of populism and anti-science rhetoric in some regions of Europe is demoralising researchers and innovators, and creating a "climate of anxiety" that makes scientific discovery more difficult, according to a study published this month.

Why Science Must Embrace Co-Creation with Generative AI to Break Current Research Barriers

Why Science Must Embrace Co-Creation with Generative AI to Break Current Research Barriers

GenAI in science: The unexploited opportunity.

AI in Science: Is It Useful?

AI in Science: Is It Useful?

Artificial intelligence might be useful to scientists in some circumstances, but it's unlikely to revolutionise the job, according to presentations at a conference held last month that discussed the technology's impact on research. 

RFK Jr Has Slashed Vaccine Research. You Need To Know How Perilous That Is For The World

RFK Jr Has Slashed Vaccine Research. You Need To Know How Perilous That Is For The World

The avian flu virus is now just one mutation away from easier transmission among humans. Donald Trump’s health chief is a grave risk to world health.

Stop the University Ranking Circus

Stop the University Ranking Circus

In June 2024, a study called for an end to use of ranking to validate research. The researchers gave their reasons. Others have followed even while the ranking industry seems to be coming off more and more popular with students, parents and recruiters. 

Even Honest Research Results Can Flip - a New Approach to Assessing Robustness in the Social Sciences

Even Honest Research Results Can Flip - a New Approach to Assessing Robustness in the Social Sciences

When academic studies get things wrong, it is often blamed on misconduct. Yet even good-faith research can produce contradictory conclusions.

Accelerating Climate Action in Unfavourable Local Contexts: the Role of Policy Entrepreneurship

Accelerating Climate Action in Unfavourable Local Contexts: the Role of Policy Entrepreneurship

Local authorities are expected to lead on net-zero delivery, irrespective of their capacity to do so. This paper addresses the extent to which they can act on climate change and how policy entrepreneurs can exert agency.

Understanding UK policymakers’ evidence needs through policy questions

Understanding UK policymakers’ evidence needs through policy questions

This study asked UK policymakers if there are common topics for which evidence is requested over time that cut across government departments or agencies, and if there is a preferred style in the way evidence is requested?

Early-Career Researchers Reflect on the Emotional and Societal Fallout of Trump's Funding Cuts

Early-Career Researchers Reflect on the Emotional and Societal Fallout of Trump's Funding Cuts

Canceled grants and slashed budgets are disproportionately affecting junior health researchers, dealing a major blow to the future of science and society in the U.S.

European Defence R&D Is a Question of How, Not Whether

European Defence R&D Is a Question of How, Not Whether

Position of some national governments and universities is making difficult trade-offs harder, says John Donovan

What Is Trump’s “Gold Standard Science” Actually About?

What Is Trump’s “Gold Standard Science” Actually About?

The latest executive order aims to place political appointees as arbiters of scientific knowledge.

The ”Immune System” of a Safe and Equal Europe is in Danger, According to Researchers

The ”Immune System” of a Safe and Equal Europe is in Danger, According to Researchers

The Association of ERC Grantees (AERG) released a statement in which it urges European leaders to protect fundamental science by increasing the autonomy of the European Research Council (ERC). 

Research May Be Increasingly Incremental - But Studies Making Lasting Paradigm Shifts Are On The Rise

Research May Be Increasingly Incremental - But Studies Making Lasting Paradigm Shifts Are On The Rise

New metric identifying “persistently disruptive” papers offers a “bright spot” amid signs of declining innovation.

The Expertise Gap: Swiss Academia Needs More Competencies in Asia Studies

The Expertise Gap: Swiss Academia Needs More Competencies in Asia Studies

Switzerland must invest more in Asia studies. This is key for it to remain globally competitive, argue Simona Grano and Lionel Fatton.

Dual-use Innovation, a Strategic Choice for Europe

Dual-use Innovation, a Strategic Choice for Europe

For decades, Europe's innovation ecosystem has operated under a self-imposed constraint: a firewall between civilian and defence research. This was born of understandable post-war caution. But in today's world, it has become a strategic liability. 

When AIs Do Science, It Will Be Strange and Incomprehensible

When AIs Do Science, It Will Be Strange and Incomprehensible

When AI takes over the practice of science we will likely find the results strange and incomprehensible. Should we worry?

AI for Research: the Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Tool

AI for Research: the Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Tool

Curious about using artificial intelligence to boost your research? Here are the programs you shouldn't miss.

Why, with whom, and how to conduct interdisciplinary research? A review from a researcher’s perspective

Why, with whom, and how to conduct interdisciplinary research? A review from a researcher’s perspective

Many complex problems and emerging phenomena require joint research efforts across academic disciplines. Interdisciplinary research (IDR) is therefore widely considered a promising approach to knowledge production. This paper reviews the literature on IDR from the perspective of individual researchers engaging in or considering this type of research.

EU Urged Not to Forget About Defence R&D

EU Urged Not to Forget About Defence R&D

Experts are urging policymakers not to forget about research and development when they set about boosting Europe's defence capabilities. As yet, the political activity following the US decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine has found little place for R&D. 

Science Diplomacy at the Intersection of Post-Truth Movements, Populism, and Tech-Nationalist Science.

Science Diplomacy at the Intersection of Post-Truth Movements, Populism, and Tech-Nationalist Science.

This interview discusses the evolution of science diplomacy in recent years, highlighting the challenges faced by a field that was initially designed to address the Sustainable Development Goals.