Global leaders in science policy gather for the 11th time in Budapest, Hungary, to discuss challenges of the science-policy interface at a time of global transformations (press release).

Overcoming the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Research Council (ERC) continues to champion curiosity-driven research, playing a pivotal role in advancing science across Europe. At the World Science Forum, ERC President Maria Leptin highlighted the need to rebuild public trust in science, address brain drain in less advantaged regions, and prioritize fundamental research over short-term commercial gains.

Director of Social Policies at UNESCO, Dr Gustavo Merino, who is moderating and speaking on many panels at this year’s World Science Forum (WSF), gave us his thoughts on the critical role of science and policy in addressing global challenges such as climate change, dealing with emerging AI, workforce reskilling and equitable approaches to climate and economic policies.

Associate Professor in Science Education at Dublin City University’s School of STEM Education, Innovation and Global Studies and Chair of the Working Group Science Education of ALLEA, Dr Cliona Murphy gave us her thoughts on Nature of Science (NoS) and ethics in education in the lead-up to the WSF’s Education for Sustainable Development thematic session.

The upcoming 2024 World Science Forum (WSF) in Budapest, with its theme of “The science and policy interface at the time of global transformations”, will bring together top thinkers in the science and science policy landscapes. Dr Lidia Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, will be playing a key role at this year’s WSF.

The 11th edition of the World Science Forum (WSF) is once again hosted by Budapest, Hungary, on 20-23 November to discuss global trends shaping the future of science and the interaction of science, society and policy-making.