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FAQ
ESOF2008 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - ESOF2008

 

Q What is the EuroScience Open Forum?

ESOF is a biennial event which aims to showcase European Achievements across the scientific spectrum. It also provides an open forum for debates on science related issues and European and international research. ESOF2008, to be hosted by Barcelona, builds on events held in Stockholm, 2004 and Munich, 2006. The venue for 2010 will be Torino.

Q How did ESOF start?

The ESOF events were started by Euroscience, founded in 1997 as a ‘grass roots’ movement open to research professionals, science administrators, policy makers, teachers, PhD students, post-docs, engineers, industrialists, and citizens interested in science and technology and its links with society.  The idea for the first Forum was conceived in 1999 by Carl Johan Sundberg from Sweden, and his associates in Euroscience. This led to ESOF2004 held in Stockholm. This was the first pan-European scientific meeting providing an interdisciplinary forum for open dialogue, debate and discussion in science and technology in society. 

Q When and where is ESOF 2008?

ESOF2008 will be held in Barcelona, Spain on 18 to 22 July 2008. The venue was selected in December 2005 following assessment of competitive bids to host the event from Barcelona, Genoa and Naples. The Selection Committee was impressed with the thoroughness of the Barcelona bid, the strength of local, regional and national support for the event, and the committed leadership shown by the bid organiser, Professor Enric Banda.

Q What is the Programme for ESOF2008?

The main elements of the ESOF2008 Programme are:

  • Scientific Programme
  • Career Programme
  • Outreach Activities
  • Research and Innovation Exhibition
  • Satellite Events
  • Social Events

Q What is the Scientific Programme?

The Scientific Programme will highlight leading scientific and technology issues in Europe and the world and will stimulate debate on how science, technology and the humanities have an impact on society and the economy. Open discussions will examine science policy, and how research and science interact to meet, and predict, the needs of citizens and societies. In recognition of the increasing importance of science communication, the programme will also explore the interactions between researchers, the business community and science journalists. Proposals for sessions which bring together diverse members of Europe’s science community are particularly encouraged.

Q How are the science sessions chosen?

A distinguished Programme Committee, chaired by Sir Colin Berry, has invited proposals on presentations and debates on science across the spectrum that bring together different disciplines and highlight cutting-edge issues and research. The programme is open to researchers from all disciplines, public and private institutions, communicators, policy makers, and businesses. The closing date for Scientific Sessions proposals is 30 June 2007, and the results of the selection process will be announced by the end of October 2007.

Q What are the science themes in the programme?

The ten ‘Themes’ are:

  1. The human mind and behaviour
  2. The very big and the very small
  3. Maintaining an open society through science
  4. Engineering the body
  5. What should we eat and what we should look
  6. Enhancing energy security; fighting global warming
  7. Science and innovation policy
  8. Science and art
  9. Demography in an ageing Europe
  10. Screening: burdens and benefits 

Q What will be in the Career Programme? 

The careers in science and technology programme will include practical sessions, panel discussions, debates, presentations and networking events which publicise the opportunities open to young and mid career researchers in Europe and around the world. In ‘Paella with the Prof’, young researchers will be able to benefit from the experience and inspiration of Europe’s leading researchers in intimate and informal get-togethers. 

Q How will ESOF2008 reach out to the general public?

The ESOF 2008 Outreach Activities will include presentations and activities aimed at engaging citizens in science and technology issues. Ideas for creative projects that make complex scientific concepts clear and understandable to the general public and show how science enriches our daily lives are particularly welcome. Shows, exhibits and presentations making use of a variety of media will bring science to life. Also, leading researchers will explain what they do and why in easy to understand presentations.  The ESOF2008 Local Organizing Committee is responsible for reviewing submitted proposals and selecting activities for the event. Results are announced by the end of October 2007.

Q Is there an exhibition at ESOF2008?

The Research and Innovation Exhibition Centre will be the venue for the ESOF2008 exhibition. Science and technology based institutions, businesses, agencies and associations will display and discuss their research ideas, products and initiatives. The broad spectrum of European science, technology and social sciences will be on display.

Q How do you register to attend ESOF2008?

You are welcome to register to attend ESOF2008. Registration will start in December 2007, and details will be available on the ESOF2008 website (Registration).

Q Who is the contact for ESOF2008?

The ESOF 2008 Project Team is based at Pg.Lluis Companys, 23 08010 Barcelona, Spain, Tel +34 93 268 77 07, Fax +34 93 319 33 31, Email mailto:info@esof2008,org 

 

 

ESOF2008 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - EUROSCIENCE

 

Q What is Euroscience?

Euroscience is the ‘Voice of Science in Europe’, a European association for the promotion of science and technology based in Strasbourg. Its role is to:

  • Provide an open forum for debate on science and technology
  • Strengthen the links between science and society
  • Contribute to the creation of an integrated space for science and technology in Europe
  • Influence science and technology policies

It is a grass-roots organisation open to a wide range of people connected to science and engineering including:

  • Professional researchers;
  • Science administrators and policy makers;
  • Science teachers;
  • PhD students;
  • Postdoctoral scientists;
  • Engineers;
  • Industrialists;
  • Citizens interested in science and technology.

Euroscience represents European scientists from all science and engineering disciplines, including the social sciences and the humanities. They may be in the public sector, universities, research institutes, business and industry.

Q Why was it set up?

The Euroscience association was founded in 1997 by the initiative of a group of multi-disciplinary European researchers. They concluded that for too long Europe had been lacking an independent arena for open dialogue on the role of all the sciences, including the humanities, in society.  The need for an interdisciplinary pan –European meeting place was recognised, and the idea of a Euroscience Open Forum was conceived in 1999.

Q What are the goals of ESOF?

The main founding goal of ESOF was to gather people interested in science and technology from all over Europe at one meeting where they could respond to the challenges of the major problems facing the world. It sought to address the reality that the impact of science and technology were of increasing importance to society but that they were not well understood by the media or the general public. It also recognised that since research in the sciences and humanities was largely funded by the public, much better communication with society as whole was required.

Q What influence does Euroscience have?

Euroscience works to extend its influence on European authorities and assemblies, and national governments. It also provides expertise on request. A key aim is to reinforce scientific collaboration across Europe.

Q How did the Open Forum develop?

In 1999, the concept of a Euroscience Forum was proposed by Carl Johan Sundberg from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. With the support of funding agencies, foundations and others the planning got started. This led to the first Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF), launched in 2004 with a major conference held in Stockholm. Over 1800 people participated in this interdisciplinary meeting for open dialogue and debate in science and technology in society. To build on its success, it was decided to hold further ESOF events every other year. The second, ESOF2006, was held in Munich,  and the third, ESOF 2008, is planned for Barcelona.

Q How is Euroscience/ESOF organised?

Euroscience is led by a President, currently Dr Enric Banda who is a Geophysicist from Spain. The Governing Board for 2006-07 headed by Dr Banda includes scientists, engineers and science communicators from Sweden, Russia, Denmark, France, Germany, the UK, Belgium, and Spain.
Dr Banda is also Co-Chair of the European Science Open Forum (ESOF), and he works through a committee-based structure with a centralised Project Team.
The Team for ESOF 2008 is based at the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation. The Committee list includes:

  • Honour Committee
  • Steering Committee
  • Programme Committee
  • Advisory Board
  • Communication Committee
  • Local Organizing Committee

Q What is the membership of Euroscience?

Euroscience currently has 2300 individual members representing scientists of all disciplines including social sciences and the humanities. The membership includes representatives from 40 European countries. There are also 18 Corporate Members. Euroscience works through Workgroups and Regional Sections which set up conferences, workshops, and other activities covering topics such as Career Development, Integration and Collaboration in European Science, Accountability of Scientists to Society, Ethics in Science, and Public Awareness of Science. Euroscience publishes a regular Newsletter on its activities.

Q What is the Euroscience Foundation?

In order to financially support the Euroscience Association and allow it to be representative and independent, a Foundation was created in 2000, the seat of which is in Hanover. Its goal is the promotion of European sciences and cultures by means of granting awards and funding workshops as well as to raise funds for international scientific cooperation, especially for the benefit of Euroscience. For example, since 2001 it has run an Award scheme for outstanding achievements by European science writers. The latest Awards were presented at ESOF2006 in Munich.

Q How do you become a member?

Euroscience welcomes new members and it is easy to register on line through www.euroscience.org. There are two categories of membership, Individual and Corporate:

  • Individual members can be anyone interested in science and technology in Europe. The annual fee is normally 50 Euros but there are reduced fees available for students, members of certain organisations and others (see website for details).
  • Corporate members: Euroscience is open to institutions and industries which support its goals. The annual fee for corporate membership is 1500 Euros. Applicants should contact Euroscience for further information and/or registration.
www.euroscience.org Private Access