ESOF 2016 CHAMPION: HOW CITIZENS’ FEEDBACK CAN NANCY ROTHWELL // 4 SHAPE HEALTH RESEARCH // 14 GENDER BIAS: A LADDER MADE DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION FOR MEN // 6 REQUIRES HUMANITIES’ INPUT // 16 ESOF 2016 | JULY 2016 SPECIAL ESOF 2016 ISSUE OF EUROSCIENTIST EuroScientist JULY 2016 Journal 2 EuroScience EuroScience is a non-profit grassroots association open to European researchers across disciplines and countries. Its key goals are: advancing science; strengthening Europe through science; promoting the careers, rights and responsibilities of scientists; and in- creasing awareness and transparency of and involvement in European science policies. From its inception in 1997, EuroScience has been active in shaping policies for science, technology and innovation, from the discus- sions leading to the European Charter and Code for Researchers, establishing the ERC, or the shaping of the European framework programme Horizon 2020 and its budget. EuroScience also plays a key role in RRI Tools, which has produced a toolkit on Responsi- ble Research and Innovation. www.euroscience.org EuroScientist EuroScientist is the official journal of EuroScience, targeting scientists, policy makers and people with an interest in science-related matters in Europe. This free online journal focuses on issues arising at the interface between science, policy and society. The special issue you have before you was published in the first half of 2016. Visit our website to read more of our monthly special issues on science policy, funding, science in society, responsible research and innovation, scientists’ careers, ethics, innovation or scientists’ lifestyle. www.euroscientist.com ESOF ESOF – EuroScience Open Forum – is the largest European meeting dedicated to scientific research and innovation. Cre- ated in 2004, ESOF takes place every other year in a major European city and attracts up to 4,500 participants from all over the world. So far it has been held in Stockholm, Munich, Barcelona, Torino, Dublin, Copenhagen and Manchester. At ESOF meetings leading scientists, researchers, young re- searchers, business people, entrepreneurs and innovators, policy makers, science and technology communicators and the general public from all over Europe discuss new discov- eries and debate the direction that research is taking in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. ESOF 2018 will take place in Toulouse, France from 9 to 14 July. www.esof.eu HELP US RAISE THE VOICE OF RESEARCHERS IN EUROPE: JOIN EUROSCIENCE TODAY! WWW.EUROSCIENCE.ORG/PARTICIPATE 3 www.euroscientist.com Contents 4 // ESOF 2016 CHAMPION: NANCY ESOF2016 SPECIAL ISSUE ROTHWELL EUROSCIENTIST The 2016 edition of ESOF epitomises the fact that this conference has now matured into a landmark event. This year, ESOF will be 6 // GENDER BIAS: A LADDER MADE held in Manchester, which is a location of choice. It offers an im- FOR MEN pressive scientific heritage, great living scientists, a tradition of technology innovation and an undying dynamism in the arts. EuroScientist is proudly associated with ESOF, both of which are 8 // SOUND POLICIES NEEDED major activities of EuroScience. Our common goal is to critically examine the evolving relationship between science, policy and TO FRAME SCIENTIFIC AND society. To that end, the EuroScientist journal offers members of TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS the scientific community, civil society, industry and policy makers an ongoing forum designed to stimulate debates around topics ranging from Austerity and the Uberisation of Science through to 12 // INSPIRING FINDINGS TO EXPAND Evidence-based Policy and Data Privacy. Importantly, the journal THE RRI SCENE gives its audience an opportunity to engage on these issues prior to, during and beyond ESOF events — where they can discuss mat- ters that affect them all. 14 // HOW CITIZENS’ FEEDBACK CAN EuroScientist readers attending ESOF often have an out-of-the- SHAPE HEALTH RESEARCH box experience, linking scientists, policy makers, business people as well as the public. Too often at science conferences, attendees stay close to peers from their own research communities. How- ever, ESOF, in its very architecture, favours unexpected meetings 16 // DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION between people from different circles. This is where the magic REQUIRES HUMANITIES’ INPUT of ESOF happens. At coffee breaks. Between sessions. During the dinners. At landmark visits. In public spaces. Indeed; ESOF is more than just another policy event. It goes well beyond that role. The event’s legacy will depend on the 18 // THE EVOLVING RELATIONSHIP contributions of its attendees. Collectively, we will define ESOF’s BETWEEN BUSINESS AND evolution. SCIENCE Sabine Louët Editor EuroScientist and Gilles Mirambeau Editorial Board EuroScientist and Peter Tindemans Secretary General EuroScience Photo: DCU Ryan Academy EuroScientist OPINION JULY 2016 Journal 4 Edwin Colyer is a freelance writer based in Manchester in the UK. ESOF 2016 CHAMPION: AUTHOR: EDWIN COLYER NANCY ROTHWELL PHOTO: UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER HIGH EXPECTATIONS SET BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER Manchester seems to fill a special city niche. title of ‘Dame’ bestowed in 2005 for ser- “SCIENCE Certainly it is a large and bustling metropo- vices to science–gives away nothing of the POLICY AFFECTS lis, but the crowds are not too big, the pace packed schedule awaiting her in the next not too frenetic. You quickly feel like this six months. “There are some days when all EVERYONE,” place has purpose, but gives people space I seem to do is related to ESOF2016,” she SHE SAYS. “IT to find their own pace. admits, acknowledging that she still has one AFFECTS WHO of the UK’s top universities to run as well. For Nancy Rothwell, president of the Uni- GETS FUNDING, versity of Manchester, this makes her city an But the success of the event hinges on at- HOW MUCH, FOR ideal venue for the European Science Open tendance of as many students, scientists, HOW LONG. IT Forum 2016 (ESOF2016). She has taken on entrepreneurs and policy makers, as pos- DEFINES WHAT the role of champion for this exciting event, sible so they can take part in debates sur- due to take place between 23rd and 27th rounding science. Rothwell is determined to RESEARCH GETS July 2016. Her calm–befitting her honorary make this a forum to remember. DONE.” MANCHESTER MAGNET To attract participants, the traditional image of the city may need to be challenged. “I’m here to show that Manchester is not just about [British TV series] Coronation Street and football,” she continues. “I want us to be known and remembered for our culture, our science and our facilities. This is a great European city and a great place for science. That’s what I want people to hear and remember.” She adds: “So many people never come here; they think it’s a bit grim up North. I want them to come…. and go ‘Wow!’” But Manchester’s attractiveness has already been proven in private sector circles. “Busi- nesses are starting to look at this city and realise they need to be here. They look around and see a vibrant city with fantastic facilities, an international airport, an active cultural 5 www.euroscientist.com sector and a world-class research base with strong partnerships like SCIENTISTS NEED TO Graphene City and the UK’s Internet of Things City. Why shouldn’t this be right for a European headquarters?” GET OUT AND TALK ABOUT THEIR WORK, SHARE THEIR LOVE TOP SCIENTISTS AND TECH ART OF KNOWLEDGE AND It’s this zeal for science and city that makes Rothwell the perfect evangelist DISCOVERY AND DISCUSS to prepare for what is lying ahead. “As a scientist, I wanted to create a HOW THEIR WORK MAY programme that I would want to attend; a conference that would excite AFFECT EVERYDAY LIFE me,” she explains. OR HELP SOLVE THE MANY The programme will include something for everyone. Presentations CHALLENGES WE FACE IN and discussions will cover issues ranging from healthy populations to SOCIETY. women in science. Graphene of course will feature, for example in a session on the application of graphene in healthcare technologies. The Universi- ty will certainly parade its stars including Nobel laureates and discoverers of graphene, Andre Geim POLICY IN ACTION and Kostya Novoselov. Particle physicist-cum-TV presenter Brian Cox is also getting involved. There As part of her role in the event, Rothwell has met many politicians and will even be a performance by a robot orchestra. government officials to secure funding and garner support. She has also persuaded some top names in government and policy to make Besides, Rothwell is secretly looking forward to the trip in July, including Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for the parody of Nobel prizes, the IgNobels. They Research, Science and Innovation, Naledi Pandor, South African Minis- represent some light relief from serious science, ter of Science and Technology and Sally Davies, the UK’s Chief Medical but still with a serious message. Interestingly, Officer, who is the professional head of all directors of public health in Geim is the only recipient of an IgNobel and Nobel local government and a leading campaigner on anti-microbial resis- Prize; he says he is equally proud of both! tance. Certainly the Science for Policy and Policy for Science sessions promise up-to-date insights and heated debate. There are other attractive aspects to such a forum, not strictly connected to the practice of science. Policy is anything but boring, Rothwell asserts, as she recalls the dis- “I’m also passionate about science communica- cussion between government scientific advisers at ESOF2014 in Co- tion. Scientists need to get out and talk about their penhagen, Denmark. It was one of the most packed sessions of that work, share their love of knowledge and discovery week. “Science policy affects everyone,” she says. “It affects who gets and discuss how their work may affect everyday funding, how much, for how long. It defines what research gets done.