EU Activities "Science and Society"

"The objectives of this study were to elucidate the links between Science and Society-related activities at European and country level on the one hand, and between policy at the EU level (represented by the SASAP) and Member State level on the other hand."

"This report is based on the findings of a series of studies on the integration of Science and Society issues in FP6: the embedding study, which focused on education, stakeholder dialogue and public outreach actions in FP6 projects; the series of gender monitoring studies of specific programmes; and the study of the socio-economic and foresight dimensions. (...) The aim is to raise awareness of the relevance of key Science in Society issues, and to demonstrate in practical ways how these issues can be addressed within research programmes and projects. The report addresses “science in society” issues as integral parts of scientific research programmes and projects, rather than as separate activities."

A synopsis of the projects which were funded by the 'Science and Society' programme in the years 2002 - 2006. Lists projects' descriptions, participants, funding, contributions, duration, start dates.

"EURAB has established a Working Group to address the means for engagement and dialogue between societal actors and the research community. With public mistrust in certain research-based institutions on the rise, there is a growing concern to engage more at the societal level. (...) This report will focus on recommendations to the community of researchers to engage with other relevant segments of the public in order to take societal questions and concerns more into account. Successful innovation will require not only the cooperation of academia and business, but also a close engagement with societal actors. This will not only shape current innovations, but also help identify future needs."

"Report of the workshop "Historical perspective on science and politics" whose purpose was to tackle the questions of the interrelationships of science and politics through various historical situations in order to enrich today's debates on science and society issues, the final aim being to give input to policy making at EU level about science and/in society"

(Power Point Presentation by Dr. Katrin Grüber at the Intergroup on Bio-Ethics, European Parliament, Thursday 17 January 2008) "Setting Priorities in Research is also an ethical issue because: - setting the research agenda is dependent on moral concepts and goals; - Results of RTD might have an influence on society and individuals; - Results that do not exist do so due to a lack of research."