The Future of Academic Freedom
As the Israel-Hamas war provokes claims about unacceptable speech, the ability to debate difficult subjects is in renewed peril.
news
Send us a link
What New Data Can Tell Us About the Essential Role of Social Science to Innovation
What New Data Can Tell Us About the Essential Role of Social Science to Innovation
The challenges facing social science research are numerous and wicked. Solutions could lie in demonstrating their ability to catalyse STEM research.
Canada Tightens Security for University Research, Affecting Ties to China
Canada Tightens Security for University Research, Affecting Ties to China
With geopolitical tensions mounting, the Canadian government announced a new security system for university research that aims to prevent tech secrets leaking to key Chinese, Russian or Iranian research institutions.
Paper Trail
In the latest twist of the publishing arms race, firms churning out fake papers have taken to bribing journal editors.
Horizon Europe: 2023 Winners and Losers Revealed
Last year was the second in which the EU's €95 billion Horizon Europe research and innovation programme was fully up and running - and with a new year, comes a chance to see how 2023 shook out.
Swiss Data Protection Standard Accepted in EU
The European Commission has classified Swiss data protection as equivalent to the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Realistically shaping scientific cooperation with China
The DAAD has today published guidelines for academic cooperation with China in a recommendation paper.
Next EU R&D Programme Should Have Longer-term Outlook
Life sciences research centres join others in calling for ringfenced €200 billion budget
Explosion of Violence in Ecuador Shuts Down Science
At week’s end, campuses were closed and fieldwork canceled in the biodiversity-rich country
Research and Technology Organisations Call for Balanced EU Approach to Research Security
Research and Technology Organisations Call for Balanced EU Approach to Research Security
EU's upcoming recommendations for tackling foreign interference in research must walk a fine line between protecting security and enabling international collaboration, research and technology organisations say.
The Science Stories You Missed over the Holiday Period
Hear the biggest stories from the world of science.
Open Science is Making Headway but Needs Further Support, UNESCO Says
Open science policies are gathering pace, but further progress depends on wider culture change, improved monitoring and better policy support, UNESCO says.
Viewpoint: Framework Programme 10 Needs a Balance of Basic and Applied Research
Viewpoint: Framework Programme 10 Needs a Balance of Basic and Applied Research
Leading academics defend EU research missions and say productivity growth should not be the direct goal of European investment in research and innovation.
Politics and Protests Puts Europe's Academic Freedom Policies Under the Spotlight
Politics and Protests Puts Europe's Academic Freedom Policies Under the Spotlight
The pressure for EU legislation to protect academic freedom ramped up towards the end of 2023 when the European Parliament's STOA panel for the future of science and technology set out its plan of action. Amongst other measures, STOA is calling for a formal definition of academic freedom and a monitoring system to ensure these principles are enforced.
How to Make a European Research Framework Programme
As the year draws to a close and 2024 comes into view, we're here to brief you on the preparations underway to shape Framework Programme 10 (FP10). FP10 doesn't start until 2028, but 2024 is going to be a big year for the next seven-year research programme, with the European Commission starting to pencil in the outline ahead of a comprehensive proposal in 2025.
Swiss Researchers Should Be Able to Apply for European Research Council Grants in 2024
Swiss Researchers Should Be Able to Apply for European Research Council Grants in 2024
The EU and Switzerland have made further progress in talks about their relationship, opening the door for Swiss academics to apply for European Research Council (ERC) grants from next year. On 15 December, Switzerland's ruling Federal Council signed off a draft negotiating mandate with the EU, paving the way for formal negotiations to start next year. That followed on from 18 months of exploratory talks about everything from food safety to financial markets.
Time to Open Its Doors Wider, or Will China Fall into a Middle-technology Trap?
Time to Open Its Doors Wider, or Will China Fall into a Middle-technology Trap?
Chinese Academy of Sciences says China faces a risk of being hamstrung at the low and mid-end of the global value chain amid the ongoing tech war with the US.
Sierra Leone Implementing Its First National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy
Sierra Leone Implementing Its First National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy
Proposed Horizon Cut Stuck As EU Leaders Fail to Reach Budget Review Deal
EU leaders failed to reach a deal on a seven-year budget review, postponing until January a decision that includes potential cuts to Horizon Europe.
UK Weighs Global Science and Technology Priorities After Horizon Europe Association
UK Weighs Global Science and Technology Priorities After Horizon Europe Association
With EU relations patched up, UK researchers and policymakers are planning the next moves. There are no firm plans for AI legislation, but an international collaboration fund set up during the wilderness years will continue, and there will be a focus on South American links.
National Science Funders Eye Setting Up International Network to Share Research-Security Information
National Science Funders Eye Setting Up International Network to Share Research-Security Information
As part of a broader push to tighten security, science funders in the US, UK and Canada are considering setting up a network to share information about security risks affecting international research projects, according to a senior US science official.
Federal agency’s plan to disclose university misconduct findings splits academics
Federal agency’s plan to disclose university misconduct findings splits academics
Institution leaders fear breach of privacy whereas transparency advocates call it an important step
Science Communicators Strategize How to Demystify Science
An expert panel discussed tactics for bridging the gap between scientists and society, such as demystifying discoveries and building trust in communities.
Federal Council Regulates Crisis-Related Activation of Scientific Expertise
Federal Council Regulates Crisis-Related Activation of Scientific Expertise
The Federal Council has adopted an implementation proposal regarding the creation of ad-hoc scientific advisory groups during crises. Switzerland’s ERI institutions are to jointly propose experts for the groups.
Being Neurodivergent in Academia: Working with My Brain and Not Against It
Being Neurodivergent in Academia: Working with My Brain and Not Against It
When attempts to capitalize on her undiagnosed ADHD traits led to repeated cycles of overwork and burnout, a postdoc re-evaluated how she faces the daily challenges of being a neurodivergent scientist.
Massive Shake-Up of French Science System is Biggest in Decades
Billion-euro plan includes greater oversight for national research institutes and the creation of a top-level council to advise the president on science
×