The European Science Foundation (ESF), an independent, non-governmental organisation, has released its report on ‘Science in Society: a Challenging Frontier for Science Policy’ at the ESOF 2012 conference in Dublin. The report, released by ESF’s Member Organisation Forum (MO Forum) on ‘Science in Society Relationships’, calls for a strengthening of ‘Science in Society’ (SiS) activities in a time of ambiguity for science.
The report aims to highlight the role of science in society, to raise awareness of how scientific knowledge is translated into society, and to encourage better practice in the relationship between science and society.
In order to achieve a better society and increase the quality of research and innovation, the MO Forum offers several recommendations, including a clear commitment to SiS in MO science policy and strategy. The report also calls for transparent SiS processes within the organisational structures of MOs and other research funding and performing bodies.
Further, the report recommends that researchers and research groups must be properly rewarded for their work in this area, and that more experiments concerning instruments, activities and methods should be encouraged. Also, sharing experience and best practice through networks for exchange within Europe on a regular basis would increase efficiency in SiS, according to the report.
The report also points out that networks to jointly develop systems for indicators, evaluations and measurements are needed. There is a need to coordinate efforts for greater impact. Organisations need the instruments to do this and this involves ensuring that SiS activities are formally evaluated, which is not the case today.
The recommendations contained within the report are aimed at helping ESF MOs develop the governance of SiS relationships further. Full details of the report can be found here http://www.esf.org/publications.html.
