Series B - Science and Society Strategic Working Party

In 1997, the first Science and Society Committee meeting was held, bringing together EMBO Members to discuss the topic of “Molecular Biology in Society”. It was decided that the defining the role that EMBO might play in science communication, both towards interested members of the public, and regarding public policy, was crucial. It was decided that a particular emphasis should be made on building interactions with secondary school teachers.

A year later Frank Gannon, then Executive Director, wrote a paper regarding Basic Research and the Future of Science Policy, again highlighting EMBO’s keen interest in leading in this sphere. In 1999 there were two joint meetings with the European Federation of Biotechnology and the European Genetics Foundation regarding controversial scientific topics, and in that same year Dr. Andrew Moore was hired to lead the Science + Society Program. Under Dr. Moore the project focused on creating events, resources, and support activities that led to better understanding of science and scientists by laypersons.

In 2002 the Science & Society Program established “Continuing Education for European Biology Teachers”, an EC Funded project Designed to provide a new layer of professional development for biology teachers through workshops, training courses, and through the creation of a resource centre. Science Communication and Science Writing prizes were also created to reward researchers for their work in communicating scientific topics to broad audiences.

Yearly stakeholder meetings were also established, bringing together scientists, philosophers, policy makers, teachers, and members of the general public to discuss controversial topics regarding scientific ethics, such as the role of genetic modification in food policy and animal testing. In the latter case EMBO published a position paper regarding its stance on the use of animals in research.

In 2006, EMBO become one of sixteen partners involved in the BioTethed project, an initiative which promoted biotechnology ethics and its interaction with other fields of science, scientists and the general public.

In 2009 EMBO organised a summer school for graduate and PHD students at EMBL, and began to be involved in the “Initiative for Science in Europe”, an organisation intended as a platform of European scientific organizations meant to promote basic science at the European level, design and implement European science policies, and advocate independent scientific advice in European policy making. The ISE was eventually realised in 2017.

In 2010 the remit of the programme changed, with its purpose now being to influence European research policy for the benefit of the scientific community, as well as analysing and advising on research-related issues. Therefore, EMBO Council decided to change the name of this programme to "Science Policy Programme”. Following this change the science policy programme was incorporate into the General Programme of the EMBC in 2012. Since then there has been a greater emphasis on ensuring the ethical conduct of members and fellows. It co-developed an Epigeum course on research integrity which became mandatory for all new fellows.