IANUS Project’s Post

Let's amplify #PublicEngagement in science! In a recent letter to President Biden, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) emphasized the critical need for enhanced public engagement with emerging science and technology. PCAST urges Federal agencies to prioritize inclusive dialogue and collaboration, and propose two key actions: integrating experts in participatory engagement into decision-making processes and establishing a dedicated office to support agencies in enhancing public engagement efforts. Read more here. https://lnkd.in/d-pFsY7a #OpenScience #ParticipatoryScience

📚 An important explanation for a lack of trust in science and technology is that science is perceived to be out of touch with societal concerns and needs, and this is especially true for emarginated audiences. 🧐 Just like trust in science involves various trust relationships (from the micro-level of trusting individuals to the macro-level of trusting policy mechanisms for governing science), societal trust in science is also complex and multifaceted. Even Eurobarometer 2021 surveys from 2021 unveiled European citizens’ conflicting positions towards science and technology. 🔎 Specifically, 82% of people surveyed exhibited a high level of interest in science and technology, but approximately half of EU citizens (57%) believe that Research & Innovation is accompanied by challenges, such as the idea that science and technology mostly improve the lives of who is already better off. 👐 Against this backdrop, we want to understand how we can make science align with societal concerns and needs. We will cross-reference data on areas of societal concern from IANUS’ findings and previous EU-projects to elaborate policy recommendations from data-driven knowledge. 💡Our goal is to turn the insights, knowledge, and concepts generated in the IANUS project into accessible and effective recommendations to support open science efforts. 📌 For more information on the IANUS project and our future steps: https://lnkd.in/dD7DxEyn

Let's Remove the Scientific Popularity Contest! Science is in a rut. The current system prioritizes credentials over groundbreaking ideas. But what if the cure for cancer could come from a passionate researcher, not a prestigious lab? Decentralized science can make that a reality! Today, a researcher's success often hinges on their pedigree of either: 1. Degrees from elite universities 2. Publications in high-impact journals 3. Connections to established figures This creates a barrier for young minds with fresh perspectives. Can Decentralized Science (DeSci) level the playing field? Imagine a network of passionate researchers sharing ideas openly & transparently: Ideas are judged on their own merit, not the researcher's background. Get feedback from a worldwide community of experts, not just a select few. 1. Democratized Funding: Crowdfund promising ideas, even if they seem unconventional & challenge the status quo. Unleashing the Power of Many Minds! 2. Faster Breakthroughs: Decentralized science taps into the collective scientific brain, accelerating progress beyond the limitations of established institutions. 3. Diverse Perspectives: No more groupthink. The best ideas, regardless of origin, rise to the top, leading to more creative solutions. Now, what else? 4. Science for Everyone: Anyone with a brilliant mind can contribute, fostering a more inclusive scientific community. Peer Review: Evolved, Not Extinct! Decentralized science uses open-source peer review & reputation systems. The best ideas get the most scrutiny (and credit) from the global community. Quality is assured, but not limited, by the gatekeepers of traditional publishing. Imagine a young researcher in their first lab making the next medical breakthrough. Decentralized science makes these dreams a reality. Science for everyone, by everyone! Let's Make Science History! ✊ By supporting platforms for decentralized science! By sharing your own research openly. Together, we can make groundbreaking science the norm, not the exception!   DeSci Offers A World of Possibilities! ✨ Learn more about Decentralized Science here: https://lnkd.in/gnSZP7bn Let's discuss! What are your thoughts on how DeSci can further break down these barriers? Remember, retweet, and share to spread the word! #ScienceForAll

Progress is never a result of scientific advancement alone: It requires other forces – and one of the most essential is an informed public. 🚀 Scientific advancement is the engine that propels human progress forward. It involves the generation of new knowledge, the development of innovative technologies, and the discovery of solutions to various challenges facing humanity. Whether it's in the fields of medicine, technology, environmental science, or any other discipline, scientific progress forms the basis for addressing complex problems and improving quality of life. 💪 However, the mere existence of scientific advancements is not enough to bring about progress. For these advancements to have a meaningful impact, they must be applied and implemented effectively in society. This requires not only the technical expertise of scientists and engineers but also the understanding and support of the broader public. 🧑💻 An informed public plays a critical role in driving the application of scientific advancements. When individuals are aware of the latest research findings, technological developments, and their potential implications, they are better equipped to participate in relevant discussions, make informed decisions, and advocate for policies that promote progress. 😇 Beyond the technical aspects, an informed public helps ensure that scientific advancements are deployed in a manner that is ethical, equitable, and considers their broader societal impact. Issues such as access to healthcare, environmental sustainability, and the ethical use of emerging technologies require input and oversight from the public to ensure that progress benefits everyone and minimizes harm. In summary, while scientific advancement is essential for progress, its realization depends on broader societal factors, with an informed public playing a pivotal role. By fostering public awareness, engagement, and participation, we can harness the full potential of scientific discoveries and innovations to address the challenges of our time and build a better future for all. This is why the Community of Guardians is so essential! It's a hub to restore trust in science and foster sustainable actions, driven by scientific guidance. Join us as we unveil our revamped platform in April 2024! Here, individuals are empowered to enact significant changes together. Take our 'What's my Number' quiz to discover your passions and join your 'Superhero' Team in addressing issues with measurable and impactful actions!

In the vast landscape of scientific progress, some of the most transformative changes often go unnoticed. Enter the world of persistent identifiers (#PIDs) - the unsung heroes of modern research. From the humble beginnings of citation identifiers in 1973 to the cutting-edge Research Activity identifiers of today, PIDs have quietly revolutionized how we connect, credit, and comprehend the global research ecosystem. This journey through time reveals how seemingly small innovations can spark profound shifts in scientific collaboration and knowledge sharing. It's a story of visionary librarians, forward-thinking publishers, and a global research community coming together to build bridges across disciplines and decades. As we stand on the cusp of new frontiers in research workflows, one can't help but wonder: what transformative potential lies hidden in the identifiers of tomorrow? Read more to explore the fascinating evolution of persistent identifiers and their role in reshaping the research landscape. https://lnkd.in/d8VE5eHz

Citizen Science is the practice where members of the general public participate in scientific research activities, working alongside professional scientists to collect data, analyze results, and contribute to the scientific process. This collaboration enhances the scale and scope of research across various fields such as environmental monitoring, biodiversity, and astronomy, while also promoting science literacy and community engagement. By involving non-scientists, citizen science projects leverage the efforts of volunteers to address real-world problems and advance scientific knowledge The European Union Prize for Citizen Science is an annual award established in 2023 to recognize outstanding achievements in citizen science. This prize is funded under Horizon Europe and managed by the European Research Executive Agency (REA) as part of the IMPETUS for citizen science! project. It aims to highlight initiatives that involve citizens in scientific research and innovation, fostering a pluralistic, inclusive, and sustainable society in Europe. This year, the European Union Prize for Citizen Science goes to Kerstin Neumann and Roberto Papa for their project ‘INCREASE’, which engages citizens in growing and documenting diverse bean varieties to promote decentralized conservation and enhance agrobiodiversity. In our interview with the artists, we learn more about the use of AI and deep learning to analyze data collected by citizens and their efforts to ensure gender diversity and social inclusion in the project. You can read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/g4imR3t2 For more information about the European Union Prize for Citizen Science visit https://lnkd.in/dh9Rp34B

"Science isn't finished until it's communicated." That powerful quote by Mark Walport lit up the presentation screen yesterday morning at the conference "Unlocking the power of science communication in research and policy making." I used to use this quote regularly in presentations years ago too, but had somewhat lost sight of it. It provided the energy boost the conference coffee failed to give me. It was a truly inspiring and energizing conference day, with strong talks and panels. Congrats to Science Europe, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek - Vlaanderen (FWO), and FRNS 👏 I very much enjoyed the views & energy provided by Alessandro Allegra & Joana Lobo Antunes 🙌 There are just too many insights to share in one post, but here are some I fully endorse: ✔️ In science, knowledge valorization is of utmost importance. But that term is too often interpreted in a narrow economic sense, in the context of tech transfer - monetizing innovations. Let's embrace the term much more broadly. The knowledge generated by science should serve society & its citizens at large, not just industry, but also schools, policymakers, civil society organisations, … 🤝 That being said, we need to update the social contract between science and society. Science for policy is central to this. Policy should be evidence-based; very much grounded in science. To achieve this, we need to foster exchange between scientists and policymakers. Both parties need insight and a better understanding of how each other's worlds work. ❗️Societal endeavor is pivotal for science. It’s not something that comes at the end of scientific research, on the contrary: it should be incorporated from the very beginning. 🔬 Yet, we also need to celebrate and communicate fundamental research; research that is not directly aimed at (direct) applications or producing ‘useful’ knowledge. It might very well pay off in the long run. Without fundamental research, we wouldn’t have GPS technology or the mRNA vaccines that helped us tame the COVID-19 pandemic. But most importantly, fundamental research is a celebration of what is at the heart of science and human nature: curiosity. Curious to find out what you took away from the conference 🤔

This is how the culture of #open #science should be promoted, cultivated, and sustained! Looking forward to the days when it will reach the assessment rubric in faculty hiring and promotion. The University of Texas at Austin

Despite the growing support for open, transparent science practices, too often decision making in science is still based on closed research information. That’s why Sage Bionetworks has joined over 50 signatories from more than 18 different countries to sign the Barcelona Declaration on Open Research Information. Our long-term strategic objectives align harmoniously with the 4 commitments of the declaration. We hope we can inspire action from other organizations, helping to drive a future of biomedical innovation that transcends historical barriers and leads to new benchmarks in open science infrastructure. Read more about how our projects/initiatives support this future: https://lnkd.in/gBAFg7eh #openscience #openresearch #barcelonadeclaration #bettersciencetogether 

I just finished my first poster presentation at the Organization Science Winter Conference! The conference was held in Zurich and its programs were super helpful for the Ph.D. students like me. (see the details below!) This year they started to offer a Doctoral Consortium and students were grouped into similar research interests. Each group had 4 to 5 students discussing each other's proposals and 2 Professors shared their advice and comments. I also heard that there was an interesting ice-breaking introduction that set up a collegial mood before this discussion. Unfortunately, I missed this part because I lost my way wandering in Zurich... My bad. The regular sessions were also great. During the plenary sessions, I was able to hear interesting theoretical directions from the esteemed scholars. At the same time, some sessions focused on the most imminent empirical trends like AI and decentralization of organizations. The organizers also made a good balance between qualitative and quantitative-focused panels to embrace broader audiences. Above all, I truly loved how they structured poster sessions. For 2 and a half hours, the participants were asked to stay in a room filled with posters. A nice trade-off here is that the poster presenter may not be exposed to the broader audiences but receive more intensive comments from the viewers as they are self-selected to your work! Moreover, you could observe that the comments from multiple audiences converge in certain directions which allows you to have a crowdsourced and cross-validated view of how you can develop your studies further - The logic is similar to my research. Specialists may get lower superficial attention but will eventually receive more serious attention with Profile-based Matching. The space, place, and even meal were great. Intellectual climate filled the city around Zurich ETH which is well known as Albert Einstein studied there. Zurich Development Center was clean and comfortable as both the conference room and hotel. The quality of the meal was good and also well-prepared for vegetarians. If I could call a conference an organization, the organizational design of this conference was perfect. I appreciate the organizers for sharing this great opportunity with us and already miss all the friends I made during the conference! I hope they have safe travels back to their home and take their well-deserved rests. If you missed the conference this year, I strongly recommend you attend this conference later! Lastly, my deep congratulations to the Best Poster session winners! Joyce He and Rhea Li