Bringing scientists, journalists and policymakers together : communicate better sound science to all
In the past year, tensions between the US administration and many of the major US universities have intensified, increasingly putting pressure on their academic freedom. Law professor David Rabban (University of Texas) thinks “it is ...
In the past year, tensions between the US administration and many major American universities – apparently revolving around « Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) » policies and the handling of student and faculty protests - have reached a critical point. From legislative restrictions on teaching and frozen grants to political pressure on university governance, academic ...
Dr Vanessa Harris is an infectious diseases physician and Assistant Professor at the Department of Global Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam (UvA). Her research focuses on diarrheal diseases in children under the age of five, investigating environmental impacts on disease risk, prevention and vaccine performance in high-risk settings, and indirect effects of having diarrheal ...
Water is essential for life, food production, energy supply, and economic activity. Yet Europe increasingly faces a water crisis, with droughts and floods compromising both water quality and quantity across the continent. Climate change is already affecting water availability, and the situation is expected to worsen. Many EU regions face a growing mismatch between water ...
While genomics has revolutionised our understanding of hereditary health conditions, research suggests that up to 90% of disease risks are actually linked to environmental exposures rather than genetics alone. Improved understanding and prevention of chronic illnesses, which account for most healthcare costs in Europe, can be achieved by focusing on the human exposome: the measure ...
From climate change to public health crises, the challenges facing Europe today demand decisions grounded in solid scientific evidence. Yet bridging the gap between research and policy-making remains a persistent challenge. For nearly a decade, the European Parliament's Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) has been tackling this through an innovative pairing ...
In the spirit of technological neutrality, Europe is exploring multiple pathways to decarbonisation. Among them are e-fuels, whose chemical composition is identical to that of fossil fuels but are produced through synthetic processes rather than extracted and refined. This makes them a potential low-carbon alternative – provided that key sustainability criteria are met and critical ...
Rapid technological advancements are transforming cultural and creative industries, affecting how music is created, shared and experienced. Digital tools such as AI-assisted composition software, virtual instruments and advanced production platforms give artists new ways to experiment and push creative boundaries. Streaming services and social media have reshaped and democratised distribution, making it easier for musicians ...
Women only count for a third of researchers in the European Union. This gender gap isn't just unfair - it limits Europe's capacity to innovate and compete globally. When women are underrepresented in research and innovation, we lose diverse perspectives that could lead to better solutions for society's challenges. This STOA workshop brought together researchers, ...