Academic freedom is a prerequisite for scientific advancement and innovation. It serves as the cornerstone of scientific inquiry, granting scholars the unfettered ability to explore, teach, and disseminate ideas without fear of censorship or retribution. More recently, academic freedom has faced mounting political, economic, and social pressures, bringing it back into the global spotlight. Safeguarding this freedom is essential for the continued pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of society. 

Participating last month at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, I had the pleasure of moderating  a discussion with some of the leading voices in climate science and innovation on a subject that couldn’t be more relevant given the setting and the stakes.

The topic of discussion was the underutilization of scientific knowledge in processes geared toward policy consensus and climate action. The question on the floor was: “[If] we possess so much scientific knowledge about the causes for the climate multi-crisis and about the solutions, why then does science not play a bigger role in breaking what seems like an endless cycle of deadlocked discussions?”

In June, the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Frontiers unveiled the awaited Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024 report. Now in its 12th year, the report continues to spotlight groundbreaking technologies that are poised to influence society and address critical global challenges. This year's report is the culmination of extensive research and collaboration among leading experts and innovators, broadening the scope and deepening the analysis of the findings. It showcases technologies that are not only innovative but also have the potential to drive sustainable development and economic growth within the next three to five years. From revolutionizing connectivity to pioneering new applications of artificial intelligence (AI), the 2024 report offers a comprehensive overview of the technologies set to shape our future. 

The European Parliament, through its standing committee Science and Technology Options Assessment (STOA), commissioned a study on monitoring academic freedom. The study “The state of play of academic freedom in the EU member states” has been led by Peter Maassen, a participant in this Frontiers’ webinar. This follows numerous European and global organizations and networks raising concerns, calling for action, and protection against threats to academic freedom (The European University Alliance (EUA), the League of European Research University (LERU), Scholars at Risk, etc.). Several recent ad hoc events and panels on the subject have also shown the importance and urgency in addressing the matter. Yet, there is still a lack of a permanent forum for factual and constructive dialogue among scholars, academic leaders, civil society groups, and policy makers.  

This year’s COP28 was a pivotal moment for the world to unite around tangible climate action and deliver realistic solutions.

Frontiers and the Frontiers Research Foundation organized several complementary panel sessions around open science and pathways towards innovative, sustainable solutions and actions featuring prominent experts and decision makers from policy, academia, and industry.

The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 30 November to 12 December 2023. The gathering marked a critical moment for global transformative climate action as world leaders negotiated and agreed action on how to tackle climate change, limit emissions, and halt global warming.

Open science platform Frontiers and the Frontiers Research Foundation participated in COP28 to ascertain the undeniable power of open science and advance the mission to make science open so that scientists can collaborate better and innovate faster to deliver the solutions that enable healthy lives on a healthy planet.

The Falling Walls Science Summit took place from 7 to 9 November in Berlin, Germany, marking its 15th edition. Falling Walls is a leading international, interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral forum for science discovery and scientific dialogue among leading scientists and society worldwide. The annual event serves as a catalyst for innovation, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, and promoting breakthrough thinking.

Frontiers and the Frontiers Research Foundation, in collaboration with the Falling Walls Foundation, organized two complementary sessions around the climate crisis and planetary boundary science, respectively

To foster the discussion on AI and academic, Frontiers Policy Labs and Frontiers’ publishing development department organized a live multidisciplinary panel session in October. The event featured distinguished academics from various fields of research, who are recognized for their knowledge and implementation of AI systems in their respective areas. Mathieu Denis, head of the Centre for Science Futures at the International Science Council, moderated the discussion.

In June, the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Frontiers unveiled the eagerly awaited Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2023 report, marking its 11th edition. This annual report, created in collaboration with Frontiers, spotlights revolutionary technologies poised to make a positive global impact. Read by business leaders, innovators, and policymakers, it has historically predicted game-changers like CRISPR and mRNA. Since its June release, the report has attracted substantial attention, with 750+ citations in global media, 50,000 online views, and 20,000 downloads. In September, WEF and Frontiers hosted a dynamic panel discussion led by Dr. Fred Fenter, delving into key insights on these technologies' implications, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), spanning policy, governance, and societal influence. Experts shed light on the opportunities and challenges these technologies present.

We face global, existential threats. From health emergencies to climate change, we see and feel them now. These threats can be managed and reversed. But that will require political will, global collaboration, and scientific breakthroughs at a scale not yet seen. Three experts shine a light on the missing links between science and international diplomacy. They ask how we can grow consensus when public trust in science and politics is fragile. And they make the case for science diplomacy.

Robert-Jan Smits

The inside story of Plan S, the ground-breaking campaign pledge to end the restrictive paywalls around taxpayer funded scientific research. Vital scientific knowledge freed and instantly available to the many, not just the few. The campaign coalition's architect, Robert-Jan Smits, shares his account of the shocks that Plan S delivered to the publishing world, and of the progress that unfolded.

Professor Linqi Zhang,

School of Medicine, Tsinghua University
Chair of Comprehensive AIDS Research Center, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University
Chair of Global Health and Infectious Diseases Center

Robert-Jan Smits
President of the Executive Board
Eindhoven University of Technology

Prof. Jean Claude Burgelman, Free University of Brussels discuss the profound and radical change COVID-19 has brought to the science-policy nexus.

Sir Peter Gluckman
Chair, International Network
for Government Science Advice

Sir Peter Gluckman and Prof. Jean Claude Burgelman consider the impact of COVID-19 and the mechanics and interface between science and policymaking at an international level

Sir Peter Gluckman

International Network for Government Science Advice

Sir Peter Gluckman, Chair, International Network for Government Science Advice speaks to Prof. Jean Claude Burgelman, Free University of Brussels about scientific advice and policymaking in the context of the COVID-19 response

Jennifer Hansen
Microsoft

Microsoft’s Jennifer Hansen, and prof. Jean Claude Burgelman of Free University of Brussels, consider the critical challenge of increasing data literacy for data specialists, sharing the benefits of open science and open data with the public

James Wilsdon
Research on Research Institute

Prof. James Wilsdon and prof. Jean Claude Burgelman discuss the speed and impact of the scientific response to the COVID-19 virus

Helga Nowotny
Former President of the European Research Council and professor emerita of Science and Technology Studies at ETH Zurich

Prof. Helga Nowotny and Prof. Jean Claude Burgelman analyze and discuss what role do the social sciences play in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Anindita Bhadra
Co-Chair of the Global Young Academy and Associate Dean of International Relations and Outreach, IISER Kolkata

Prof. Anindita Bhadraand and Prof. Jean-Claude Burgelman discuss the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the research community of the Global South.

Dr. Georg Schütte
Secretary General of the Volkswagen Foundation and former State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education

Dr. Georg Schütte and Prof. Jean-Claude Burgelman discuss the role research funding foundations play in preparedness for global societal challenges