The next European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP9) is currently being developed and negotiated. The successor to Horizon 2020 is expected to launch on 1 January 2021 and to cover the period 2021-2027.
The European Network of Science Centres and Museums (Ecsite) has just released a position paper that states that FP9 should recognise science engagement as an integral part of the Research and innovation system by actively involve citizens in the science and innovation process. This, the paper argues, is the role of professional science mediators working in science engagement organisations such as science museums/centres.
Città della Scienza, as a board member of Ecsite, is involved in Ecsite’s advocacy campaign for the upcoming FP9 and as part of that, we would like to share the position paper so as to communicate the vitality of science engagement as part of FP9. It is essential to advocate for science engagement in FP9 and a collective effort is needed.
What we are asking from FP9
- European “Youth and Science and Technology” has to become a European flagship
- A science and society programme is required with a separate strand of funding that includes a focus on combating fake news
- Science engagement must be recognised as an integral part of the research and innovation system
- Innovation in science engagement approaches is needed to tackle new societal challenges
- Funding for engaging citizens with the process and outcomes of science and innovation needs a significant increase.
