Association of Science and Technology Centers’ Post

We are a dialogue assembly linking:debate that embodies the spirit of constructive discussion. Our first events are planned for June 2024. www.linkingdebate.com for more information. We delve into intersecting ideas that serve as the driving force behind systemic change and societal transformation. Our mission through this endeavour is to foster openness and reflection whilst catalysing a shared understanding that mobilises ideas for a more sustainable future. FORUM is linking:debate on the converging concepts in Activism, Citizenship, Climate, Health, Human Rights, Scholarship and Technology. We bring together a cross-section of society’s representatives, including academics, artists, authors, industry leaders, journalists, policy makers, scientists and thinkers to present facts, theories and conjecture to deliver a deeper and broader consensus on the current issues we face as civilisation. Central to the debate is the recognition of technology’s pivotal role, and its demand for both vigilance and innovation as we navigate forward.

I am delighted to share with you the first paper published of my PhD journey. In this paper we systematically analyze approaches and functions of Social Impact Measurement in Public-Private Partnerships. We suggest that when Social Impact Measurement is embedded in collaborative contracts between public and private actors, conducted ex-ante, and entrusted by independent organizations, it can increase the credibility and objectivity of Public-Private Partnerships. This can in turn enhance trust in the partnerships and support actors to manage the expectations of collaborators and citizens. Our findings contribute to the theory of Social Impact Measurement by advocating for a systematic approach to Social Impact Measurement practices within Public-Private Partnerships an unexplored area. Additionally, the findings offer policymakers and practitioners insights into how varied SIM practices can be employed to effectively communicate results. https://lnkd.in/d2fAcDDm Enrico Bellazzecca, Irene Bengo, TIRESIA Polimi, Politecnico di Milano

Funding citizen science projects is important for the planet, driving sustainable change through community-led innovation. We’re pleased to share that the Ecological Citizen(s) Network , a research initiative in collaboration with our SEI York centre at the University of York, the Royal College of Art and Wrexham University, has announced the recipients of its first round of funding. Supported by UK Research and Innovation's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), this initiative aims to explore and foster Ecological Citizenship, empowering communities to engage in sustainable change through digital interventions. Seven projects have been selected under the theme of 'Materials and Resources', each offering unique perspectives to explore addressing ecological and climate challenges. From AI-assisted electronics repair to community-led land stewardship, these projects represent diverse approaches to sustainability. We look forward to seeing how these initiatives progress and contribute to our collective understanding of Ecological Citizenship. #CitizenScience #EcologicalCitizenship #AI #Funding #DigitalInnovation Learn more about the selected projects 👇👇 https://buff.ly/3YINFFm

Do you know that, in 2024, the European Union is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its EU-funded R&I programs? The first EU research program was worth €3.75 billion and was active in 1984. Since then, more than €283 billion was invested in research by the EU. In this European Commission article, you can find eight examples of EU-funded projects that contributed to the progress of our society in areas like environment, digital technology, and space missions. https://lnkd.in/dabhsStv

🌿 This year, the Synergy Hackathon takes place at The Green Village! From February 1-3, the TU Delft Campus field lab focuses on innovating for a green, reliable energy future. ⚡ The Synergy Hackathon assumes that we need to go beyond just improving the status quo; it our energy systems must be radically rebuild. The challenge from TU Delft and Vattenfall is centred around the digital controllability of an energy system with high reliability. Can universities and hospitals, for example, offer their redundant energy assets on a flexibility market? ✨ Will you join this #transformative journey at our field lab? Sustainable innovation converges with the future of energy! Sign up via: https://lnkd.in/dbVf2sgy #digitalenergy #futureenergysystems TU Delft Campus | Gemeente Utrecht | Essent | Tekkoo | Universal Right | Unify.energy | Alliander | WorldStartup | Antea Group Nederland | Dockwize | Provincie Zuid-Holland | Kansen voor West

A crucial conversation about youth empowerment and corporate responsibility is taking place today at #WEF24. Today, the Global Shapers Community, Accenture and The Global Alliance for YOUth are launching the annual Youth Innovation Prize. It's more than a prize; it's a testament to how the private sector can create real economic opportunities for young people. Together with top executives from the Global Alliance for Youth, I will discuss the pressing issues the Innovation Prize can address and explore the most impactful levers of change. Read more about the prize: https://lnkd.in/dewbueVd

Yesterday we had the honor to listen to Ana Tumanishvili, Lei Tang, Lorenz Püttker and Julia Stockinger, from the Master’s program in Applied Cultural Analysis at Lund University, present their results from their project "Lifestyles in Motion" made in collaboration with Lunds kommun. In their project they studied the driving factors behind peoples’ choice of transportation to and from work. Sounds simple? It’s not! After four months of interviews, literature studies, focus groups, following along commuters (consensual of course), and intense discussions and analysis of collected data, the group presented a vast compilation of driving factors for making decisions, of for example owning a car vs not owning a car, using that said car for commuting or choosing any other means of transportation. We just want to take a moment to highlight the significant value that Cultural Analysis brings to the table. Students in this field have unique tools to reach out to individuals, finding ways for them to open up and share their values, thought patterns and behavior, but also to keep the overall societal perspective and see the individual as a part of a larger group. When discussing sustainability, and making decisions in general, technical, and economical perspectives almost always have priority. Knowledge about human nature and culture is almost always overlooked as opposed to more measurable parameters. We need to keep in mind that we build societies for people, within the limitations of nature. Values, thought patterns and culture are not entities that make for easy measuring, but all the same they form the core of society and guide our every-day decisions, whether we are aware of it or not. To study these factors does take a lot of time, the results are rarely quantifiable, nor are they possible to summarize in one single page. But they are essential to create sustainable societies and organizations. For The City of Lund to invite this perspective, in their effort of reach climate neutrality by 2030, is a great step for gaining insight in the very complex mobility issue and for finding solutions. Thank you Martin Güll and the team at The City of Lund / #CoActionLund, to course coordinators Katarzyna Herd and Talieh Mirsalehi, and thank you the MACA students for letting me (Helena) follow your work and broadening my perspectives! Finally, I want to encurage everyone to embrace the skills of Humanities in your organizations. I am certain that the tools and knowledge of these disciplines are necessary to build long lasting organizations and societies. Next time you ask yourself why people won’t throw their trash in the right bin, why "no one want to work anymore", or why people don’t behave in the way you intended despite your deliberate and high-tech solution, make sure to collaborate with someone knowledgeable in cultural analysis. Or even better, HIRE THEM! #culturalanalysis #mobility #climateneutrality #studentprojects

📢 Entries now open for landmark £1 million Manchester Prize, for pioneering AI energy, environment, and infrastructure innovations 📢 AI is a critical tool in the fight to help us significantly cut emissions by 2030 as we work towards net zero by 2050, including by accelerating plans to decarbonise the energy sector and the wider economy. For the first two years, this prize will focus on solutions to the challenges surrounding energy, environment and infrastructure. Entries are encouraged from UK-based companies, non-profits, universities and charities, with a deadline of 1 February 2024. In April, up to 10 entries will be chosen to move forward, and each of these finalists will win a prize of £100,000 to develop their ideas into a working prototype. One of these teams will go on to win the £1 million grand prize. To select the most promising solutions, the finalists and ultimate winner of the grand prize will be chosen based on five judging criteria: how innovative their solution is compared to current state of the art technology, the impact of the solution, long-term viability, feasibility of delivering a working prototype, and evidence of safe and ethical AI development. Manchester Prize finalists will also benefit from a range of non-financial support, including a package of free compute power to deliver their solutions. Furthermore, finalists will interact with key stakeholders, potential investors in and adopters of their technology in the public and private sectors, to share knowledge and encourage collaboration. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gNPb_DRY Imperial Enterprise Lab Imperial Enterprise Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment Dyson School of Design Engineering White City Innovation District I-X

Using #reflexivity to manage challenges in #transdisciplinary research is described by Annisa Triyanti, Corinne Lamain, Jessica Duncan and Jillian Student in their i2Insights contribution at https://lnkd.in/g7ZDWMCh. Reflexivity is required about core values, key principles incl fairness & epistemic justice, rules of engagement, team member roles, assumptions underlying research agenda & more. Key attitudes & competences include listening, reflecting, understanding own perspectives & biases, integration, systems approaches, collaboration & managing conflicts. For more on #stakeholderengagement see: https://lnkd.in/gKCTu-Te #I2Sresources Barbara van Paassen, Jonas Torrens Nina de Roo Marina Knickel Rebecca Freeth PhD Varvara Nikulina Giedre Kligyte Lisa Deutsch Livia Fritz Dena F. Tigran Keryan Tamara Mitrofanenko Henrikke Baumann David Simon Henrik Ny Basirat Oyalowo Flurina Schneider

Our #Vote4Science campaign calls on our future political leaders to safeguard the future of #research and #innovation - crucial for driving forward economic growth and tackling the complex challenges we face. Collaboration, openness, and equity, while ensuring clear legal frameworks for knowledge security, are fundamental to advancing knowledge, driving innovation, and ensuring that the benefits of research are widely shared and ethically grounded. Collaboration, openness and equity Pledge Rebalance research collaboration and competition, rewarding high quality outcomes over quantity. Recognise a broader array of skills and competencies to attract talented individuals to research careers. Embed principles of equitable access and facilitate ethical uses of Artificial Intelligence in research. Deliver research systems that are as open as possible and as closed as necessary, allowing international expertise to drive innovation and effectively address societal challenges. Provide clear legal frameworks for knowledge security. 📃 Discover our 5 Pledges for candidate MEPs: https://lnkd.in/ekQjfnhY 🔗