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FP7 - Science in Society
Start date:2007-01-01
End date:2013-12-31
Objectives:With a view to building an open, effective and democratic European 'Knowledge society', the aim is to stimulate the coordinated integration of scientific and technological endeavour, together with associated research policies in the European social web, by encouraging at European scale reflection and debate on science and technology, and their relation with society and culture.
Short title:FP7-SIS
Programme Acronym:FP7-SIS
Acronym Description:
Programme type:Seventh Framework Programme
Country:
Programme status:Execution
Duration:84 months
Programme Funding:330 million euro
URL:http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/capacities/science-society_en.html
Framework programme:
FP7
Umbrella programme:
FP7-CAPACITIES
Next programme(s):
Previous Programme(s):
Contract types:Collaborative project (generic), Support actions, Small or medium-scale focused research project, Coordination (or networking) actions, Support actions, Coordination (or networking) actions, Small/medium-scale focused research project for specific cooperation actions dedicated to international cooperation partner countries(SICA)
Subdivisions of Programme:The following information was based on the official information available at the time of writing. Priorities and activities may change.
For the very latest information please consult the work programmes available with the appropriate call at:
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm
Three action lines will be pursued:
A) A more dynamic governance of the science and society relationship
-Strengthening and improving the European science system
There is such an expectation placed upon the European science system to sustain our innovation potential that society must gain a deeper insight into its constituents, its own economy, its regulations and its habits. Three aspects of broad significance, focusing on the actors and dynamics of the European Research Area, will be tackled:
- improving the use, and monitoring the impact, of scientific advice and expertise for
policy-making in Europe (including risk management), and developing practical tools and schemes (e.g. electronic networks),
- promoting trust and self-regulation in the scientific community,
- encouraging the debate on information dissemination, including access to scientific results and the future of scientific publications, taking also into account measures to improve access by the public.
-Broader engagement to anticipate and clarify political, societal and ethical issues
Society's aspirations and concerns, and fundamental ethical principles, need to be better integrated throughout the research process, creating a more secure and constructive environment for researchers and for society as a whole. Three aspects come into play, as follows:
- broader engagement on science-related questions,
- conditions for an informed debate on ethics and science,
- greater emphasis on discussion within the research community of the social aspects of research.
-?Better understanding of the place of science and technology (S&T) in society
In order to address the relationship between science and society through sound policies, the knowledge accumulated in the history, S&T heritage, sociology and philosophy of sciences needs to be expanded, consolidated and spread at European level. To this end, scholars from these disciplines should form networks to structure research and debates capable of revealing the real participation of science in building a European society and identity, stressing in particular:
- relationships between science, democracy and law,
- research on ethics in science and technology,
- the reciprocal influence of science and culture,
- the role and the image of scientists,
- public understanding of science and promotion of public debate.
-The evolving role of universities
Work will aim at supporting the appropriate reforms enabling universities to fully play their role in the creation, dissemination and sharing of knowledge, together with industry and society at large (in line with Community initiatives on university-based research). The emphasis will be on:
- defining better framework conditions for more efficient university research,
- promoting the establishment of structured partnerships with the business sector, having regard to universities' research management capacities,
- reinforcing knowledge-sharing between universities and society at large.
B) Strengthening potential, broadening horizons
-Gender and research
Based on policy orientations contained in the Commission staff working paper and Council and other relevant Community policy orientations, a framework for positive actions will be implemented to reinforce the role of women in scientific research, and to enhance the gender dimension of research. This framework will provide the context for policy debate, monitoring, coordination and underpinning research. It will comprise:
- strengthening the role of women in scientific research and in scientific decision-making bodies,
- gender dimension of research,
- mainstreaming gender in Community research policy and programmes.
-Young people and science
Activities will be designed to attract more people from all backgrounds into scientific careers, foster links across generations, and raise the level of scientific literacy generally. European exchanges and cooperation will concentrate on science teaching methods adapted to young audiences, support for science teachers (concepts, materials), developing the linkages between schools and professional life. In addition, events with a broad European scope which bring together distinguished scientists - as 'role models' - and aspiring young scientists may be supported. Underpinning research will be addressed, taking into account social contexts and cultural values. Three aspects have been retained:
-supporting formal and informal science education in schools as well as through science centres and museums and other relevant means,
- reinforcing links between science education and science careers,
- research and coordination actions on new methods in science education.
C- Science and society communicate
Activities will promote effective two-way communication channels that enable the public and policy-makers to engage with science, and scientists to engage with the public. The approach will favour closer cooperation and exchange of best practice between scientists and media professionals, but also a greater involvement of target groups, namely children and young people, researchers going to the public, and the specialised press. The effort will focus on:
- the provision of reliable and timely scientific information for the press and other media,
- training actions to bridge the gap between the media and the scientific community,
- encouraging a European dimension at science events targeting the public,
- promoting science by audio-visual means via European co-productions and the circulation of science programmes,
- promoting excellent trans-national research and science communication by the means of popular prizes,
- research aimed at enhancing inter-communication concerning science, both in its methods and its products, to raise mutual understanding between the scientific world, and the wider audience of policy-makers, the media and the general public.
Implementation:The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the specific programme 'Capacities', part of which is the research theme 'Science in society'. During the implementation, national and international provisions in addition to scientific advances will be regularly monitored by the Commission so as to take account of any developments.
The activities supported under the specific programme which are primarily implemented on the basis of calls of proposals, will be funded through a range of funding schemes:
- Collaborative projects
- Networks of excellence
- Coordination and support actions
- Support for 'frontier' research
- Support for training and carrier development of researchers,
- Research for the benefit of specific groups (in particular SMEs).
Actions for the coordination of non-Community programmes may be undertaken in this specific programme making use of the ERA-NET scheme and the participation of the Community in jointly implemented national research programmes(Article 169 of the Treaty).
In addition to direct financial support to participants in RTD actions, the Community will improve their access to private sector finance by contributing financially to the 'Risk-sharing finance facility' (RSFF) established by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The Community contribution to RSFF will be used by the Bank, in accordance with the eligibility criteria set out in the work programme 'Capacities'.
General information:'Science in society' represents a significant expansion and extension of the pilot work undertaken in the FP6, commensurate with the raised ambition of the European research policy.
The development of European societies largely depends on their capacity to create, exploit and disseminate knowledge and, from there, continuously to innovate. Scientific research, as part of the 'knowledge triangle' of research, education and innovation, plays a major role in this regard, and should remain one of the driving forces in promoting growth, welfare and sustainable development.
To achieve this aim, it is imperative that a social and cultural environment conducive to successful and exploitable research be created. This means that legitimate societal concerns and needs are taken on board, entailing an enhanced democratic debate with a more engaged and informed public, and better conditions for collective choices on scientific issues, and the possibility for civil society organisations to outsource research in relation to their concerns. It should also establish a climate favourable to scientific vocations, a new surge of research investments and the subsequent dissemination of knowledge upon which the Lisbon strategy is built. This activity will also aim at the full integration of women into the scientific world.
This section of the 'Capacities' programme will then focus on the development of a set of conditions by which such a conducive environment becomes the norm rather than the exception in Europe.
The risk of a scientific divide within our societies needs to be addressed in the first place. It separates those who do not have access to relevant knowledge from the few who do; those who are not able to influence policy-making in research from those who are. This leads to the ambiguous feelings expressed by citizens regarding the potential benefits from science and technology, and their effective subordination to public scrutiny. On the one hand, they readily invite more research to address the outstanding problems of the present time (diseases, pollution, epidemics, unemployment, etc) and to better anticipate their possible impacts in the future. On the other hand, they cannot help showing distrust for certain uses of science and possible interferences of vested interests in decision-making processes.
Among the causes for an often less than satisfactory integration of science in society are the following:
-insufficient public participation in priority-setting and in establishing science policy directions, which would allow a wider debate on possible associated risks and consequences;
-growing reservations with regard to certain scientific developments, the feeling of lack of control, and open questions concerning the respect of fundamental values;
-the perceived isolation of the world of science from the everyday realities of economic and social life;
-questioning the objectivity of scientific evidence made available to public policy-making;
-insufficient quality of scientific information available to the public.
The chosen approach aims to:
- render more inclusive and transparent the mechanisms for access to, and validation of the expertise necessary to underpin more robust policies,
- set landmarks for an ethically sound research endeavour in the light of fundamental rights,
- allow Europe to play a more active role on the world stage, in the debate and promotion of shared values, equal opportunities and societal dialogue,
- bridge the gap between those who have a scientific education and those who do not,
promote a taste for scientific culture in the direct neighbourhood of all citizens (calling upon cities, regions, foundations, science centres, museums, civil society
organisations, etc.),
- encourage a societal dialogue on research policy, and stimulate civil society organisations to become more involved in research activities,
- explore ways to improve governance of the European research and innovation system,
- provide an image of science and researchers which is meaningful to all, especially to young people,
- promote the progress of women in scientific careers and improve the use of their professional and scientific talents for the benefit of all,
- renew science communication, favouring modern means to achieve higher impact, helping scientists to work closely with media professionals.
'Science in society' will be implemented through:
-policy-related actions and research supported directly from this theme;
-cooperation between Member States, identifying common goals, and reinforcing national practices, in the spirit of the open method of coordination;
-promoting, supporting and monitoring the uptake and impact of 'Science in society' issues in other parts of the FP7 including the running of the ethical review procedures for proposals addressing sensitive issues under the 'Cooperation' specific programme . The overall coordination of issues related to 'Science in society' both across the FP7 and within other relevant Community activities (e.g. relating to education and culture) will be ensured by this theme.
Please visit the CORDIS site to check the latest calls for proposals and the official work programme under the FP7 'SIS' research theme http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm
Please visit the CORDIS site (http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/find-doc_en.html) to download the following legal documents:
- DECISION No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013).
- COUNCIL DECISION of 19 December 2006 concerning the Specific Programme 'Capacities' implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)
Remarks:Please visit the CORDIS site to check the latest calls for proposals and the official work programme under the FP7 'SIS' research theme http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm
Key Publications:
Number of Projects:153
Subject index:Policies, Social Aspects, Coordination, Cooperation, Scientific Research
Organization:Research DG
Legislative Reference:2006/974/EC
Legislative date:2006-12-19
Official Journal Reference:L 54/113
Official Journal Date:2006-12-30
Revisions:
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