European Commission (2007), Integrating Science in Society Issues in Scientific Research. Main Findings of the Study on the Integration of Science and Society Issues in the Sixth Framework Programme.
Good scientific research cannot be pursued in a social vacuum, and must contribute to Europe’s social objectives. In 2000, the European Commission initiated a debate on the relationship between science, society and Europe’s citizens, which led to a Science and Society Action Plan. Its aim was to ensure that European research fully contributes to the Lisbon Strategy, whose principal objective is to make the EU the most dynamic and competitive economy in the world by 2010. During the 6th Framework Programme, covering the four-year period 2002-2006, €88 million were allocated to science and society activities. A new dedicated Science and Society programme pursued a dual approach. On the one hand, the programme supported specific actions on particular science and society themes, such as ethics, gender, scientific advice and governance and communication. On the other hand, FP6-funded research projects - such as Integrated Projects, Networks of Excellence and accompanying actions - were required to integrate science and society issues, as relevant, in their research. This has been named as “embedding” or “horizontal” approach. This booklet presents the main findings of the study aimed at taking stock of the developments and the achievements of the ‘embedding’ efforts in FP6. It contains the study’s recommendations as well as a set of good practices and practical guidelines.
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English
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