About: science policy

Science – the new frontier of geopolitics

Science and international relations have always been intertwined, this link runs deeper now with the rise of innovation and technologies. However, regulations on new innovations and deep tech should also follow the rapid pace of their development, writes Sam Alvis.

Restoring trust and effectiveness in EU scientific advice

Today, more than ever, EU regulators must ensure that risk management decisions meet public demands for high standards of protection whilst simultaneously stimulating competitiveness and prosperity in Europe. Basing decisions on the best available science is the pre-condition for achieving these goals, argues Dirk Hüdig.

EU plan to support refugee scientists remains irrelevant one year later

Only 113 refugees applied to a European Commission initiative to help scientists and researchers escape from conflict zones, as the programme missed some of the lessons offered by established schemes in Europe.

Europe deserves a better European Research Area policy

As the EU Member States and the European Commission are hard at work reviewing the European Research Area (ERA) policy and defining a new ‘ERA Roadmap’, it's time to take a new approach, writes Miguel Seabra.

Plant scientists urge Europe to stop blocking GM trials on political grounds

Twenty-one of Europe’s most prominent plant scientists have signed an open letter warning that Europe may lose its prime research position unless field trials are allowed of genetically modified (GM) plant varieties that have been judged safe.

EU innovation official: ‘Smart specialisation is not about central planning’

The European Commission is promoting a ‘smart specialisation’ strategy for innovation where regions focus efforts and spending on their strengths rather than spread investments too thinly. But the hardest part is what to drop, says Robert-Jan Smits.

Oxford students, alumni protest over Shell Earth sciences funding

Students and alumni of Oxford University protested on Thursday (9 May) at the opening of a new lab in its Earth sciences department that is funded with £5.9 million (€7 million) from the Shell oil company.

New group to advise Barroso on science, technology

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso announced on Wednesday (27 February) the creation of an advisory group on science and technology, 13 months after the appointment of the Commission’s first scientific advisor.

Researchers with disabilities in the Horizon (2020)

Horizon 2020, the legislative proposal for research and innovation in Europe, should guarantee the freedom of movement of researchers with disabilities and offer them equal opportunities. However, a recent case in Ireland shows Europe is still far from that goal, write MEP Catherine Trautmann and other signatories.

Risk-based policy-making

Recent debates on issues such as GMOs and the review of the European chemicals policy have sparked heated discussions among stakeholders about the analysis and assessment of the underlying risks and the way in which these can be managed and communicated. Questions about the definition of risk, the objectivity of scientific information and the role that risk analysis should play in policy decisions are at the heart of the debates.