Observa|science in society
December 7, 2007
Observa – Science in Society is a non-profit cultural association which aims at promoting the study and the discussion of the interaction between science and society, stimulating dialogue among researchers, policy makers and citizens.
Observa focuses on three main areas:
Science Communication;
Research and Innovation Policy;
Science, Citizens and Technology
Through its activities, Observa has established collaborations with several national and international organizations, including the European Commission – DG Research, CERN, Lancaster University, Bielefeld University, University College London, University Pompeu Fabra Barcelona, Austrian Academy of Science, Gran Sasso National Laboratory, European Association of young biotechnologists.
In line with its mission of fostering an informed debate on science in society issues, keeping a balanced and independent point of view, Observa is not affiliated to any private or public organization. Activities are funded through specific projects, members’ contributions and donations.
Politicians ‘ignore scientific results’
January 25, 2007
Politicians believe in research and trust researchers but are not making use of important scientific findings, a new study reveals.
Published: Thursday 18 January 2007 | Updated: Monday 22 January 2007 at
Magellan Prize
November 22, 2006
The first Magellan Prize was awarded to Pedro Raposo, a portuguese researcher working on Science History (CHC-UL).The Magellan Prize, established in commemoration of the feats of the great sixteenth-century Portuguese navigator Fernão de Magalhães, will be awarded in each year to the best student beginning graduate studies in the Oxford’s University in the language, literature, culture, or history of the Portuguese-speaking world.
EPTA Network
July 9, 2006
EPTA - European Parliamentary Technology Assessment – is a network involving 18 European organisations which carry out TA (technology assessment) studies on behalf of parliaments, including mostly national parliaments, but also at the regional and European level. The Portuguese parliament, object of our study, does not have a similar organisation
From its objectives:
“The EPTA Partners advise parliaments on the possible social, economic and environmental impact of new sciences and technologies.
The common aim is to provide impartial and high quality accounts and reports of developments in issues such as bioethics and biotechnology, public health, environment and energy, ICTs, and R&D policy.
Such work is seen as an aid to the democratic control of scientific and technological innovations, and was pioneered in the 1970s by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) of the US Congress.
EPTA aims to advance the establishment of technology assessment as an integral part of policy consulting in parliamentary decision making processes in Europe, and to strengthen the links between TA units in Europe.”
Through its site (www.eptanetwork.org) it is possible to access a database of parliamentary technology assessment projects, focusing on topics as wide ranging as nanotechnology, brain research, road pricing, future energy systems and the future of education.
Introduction
June 14, 2006
Hi!
This is the blog of the research project "Science in parliament: a study of the boundary between science and policy", being developed at the Centre for Social Studies (CES) of the University of Coimbra, and funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology, Portugal.
This blog will be used mainly as a repository of information and views related to the theme of the project, also as an additional communication tool between its research team, composed of:
Tiago Santos Pereira (Principal Investigator)
Ana Correia Moutinho
António Farinhas Rodrigues
João Arriscado Nunes
Maria Eduarda Gonçalves
The objective of this project is to analyse the modes of use of scientific and technical knowledge and expertise in the Portuguese Parliament over the last 30 years.
The main aims of the study are threefold:
- describing and mapping (through the construction of a specific database) the interactions between science and politics across policy areas, with reference to the distinction between ‘policy for science’ and ‘science in policy’;
- analysing modes of access to and use of scientific and technical expertise, through specific case studies;
- and reflecting upon these, in light of international experiences, on the co-production of science and politics in Portugal.
The team attributes particular importance to the dissemination of the results, both to academics and the wider public.
These aims will be reached through the following tasks:
Task 1 - Documental analysis of parliamentary activicty and construction of a searchable database (December 2006)
Task 2 – Case studies on the use of S&T knowledge in parliamentary activicty (December 2006)
Task 3 – Synthesis of results, policy workshop and writing of a final report (June 2007)
Task 4 – Activities with school studentes and other dissemination activities (June 2007)
Hello world!
June 12, 2006
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