Horizon Europe will connect the public to European science – Carlos Moedas

Commissioner Moedas launched proposals for the next European science and research funding programme, Horizon Europe, on 7 June.

The next European science and research funding programme, known as Horizon Europe, is designed to connect people with the achievements financed by their tax money, and to fix problems with innovation funding, according to Carlos Moedas, the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation. He spoke to Horizon magazine to coincide with the launch of … Read more

Noise pollution is one of the biggest health risks in city life

Traffic noise increases people's blood pressure which is related to heart attacks and strokes.

Noise is one of the biggest pollutants in modern cities but the risk is often overlooked despite being linked to an increased risk of early death, according to research conducted by scientists. ‘Noise produces a stimulus to the central nervous system and this stimulus releases some hormones,’ said Dr David Rojas from the Barcelona Institute … Read more

‘Evolution, not revolution’ will guide next EU research funding programme – Jean-Eric Paquet

Jean-Eric Paquet says the the need for science to live up to societal challenges is greater than ever.

The structure of the EU’s next research funding programme is based on the mantra of ‘evolution, not revolution’ and so will not contain any major surprises, according to Jean-Eric Paquet, the EU’s recently appointed director-general for research and innovation, who takes up his new role on 3 April. You previously worked in the team of … Read more

Open access to scientific publications must become a reality by 2020 – Robert-Jan Smits

Imagine if all the billions we are now putting into these expensive subscription journals could be put into research, says Robert-Jan Smits.

A lot of lip service is being paid to making scientific papers free to access but when it comes to action there is a lot of hypocrisy, according to Robert-Jan Smits, the EU’s outgoing director-general for research, science and innovation. He has recently been appointed the EU’s special envoy on open access, tasked with helping … Read more

Missions could make Europe cool again – Prof. Mariana Mazzucato

Major missions such as putting a man on the moon generate a lot of spillover innovations along the way.

Missions modelled on the 1960s ‘moonshot’ programme to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade could help make Europe a cool place to do business and unite the public behind European science and innovation, according to Professor Mariana Mazzucato, founder and director of the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose at University College … Read more

Era of flexible work requires new universal services – Prof. Seán Ó Riain

The debate on the future of work should focus less on fear and more on building empowerment, according to Prof. Seán Ó Riain.

The future of work is here – and it’s defined by flexibility, autonomy and pressure, according to Prof. Seán Ó Riain from Maynooth University, Ireland, who has been studying how workplaces have changed since 1995. He says we need to rethink public services to help people balance work and family in this new era. Your NEWDEALS project … Read more