Articles
ESMH regularly publishes articles on topics related to science and new technologies that provoke a lot of media attention and that are important in the European context. Most importantly, the articles are written with the help of science writers in journalistic style and always provide the opinion of one or more scientists on the topic. The publications are accompanied by a selection of links to related information and with a focus on European research and knowledge in the field.
-
The changing attitudes of Generation Z towards substance use and risky behaviours
For approximately 30 years, the Italian National Research Council has partnered with the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) to survey more than 113,800 students aged 15–16 across Europe to monitor adolescent risk behaviours. The latest findings reveal that, although cannabis, alcohol, and traditional... -
Cybersecurity threats: how ready is the EU? Interview with Florian Pennings of ENISA
As the ongoing digital transformation leads to increased cybersecurity threats, the European Parliament’s Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) is organising a workshop on enhanced EU cooperation on cybersecurity in Brussels on 4 February 2026. One of the speakers is Associate Chief... -
Beyond technology: How social sciences and humanities drive human-centric innovation
As the European Union (EU) prepares the groundwork for the next Horizon Europe Framework Programme, many experts have been calling for the human and social dimension of progress to be better integrated into the EU’s research and innovation agenda. The STOA workshop ‘Humanities and social sciences at... -
Interview with Prof. David Rabban on the challenges for academic freedom in the United States
In the past year, tensions between the US administration and many of the major US universities have intensified, increasingly putting pressure on their academic freedom. Law professor David Rabban (University of Texas) thinks “it is important to push back against government intrusions into the intellectual... -
Dr Vanessa Harris on planetary health research: exploring the links between the health of humans and the health of ecosystems
Dr Vanessa Harris is an infectious diseases physician and Assistant Professor at the Department of Global Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam (UvA). Her research focuses on diarrheal diseases in children under the age of five, investigating environmental impacts on disease risk, prevention... -
Can e-fuels power Europe's low carbon future?
In the spirit of technological neutrality, Europe is exploring multiple pathways to decarbonisation. Among them are e-fuels, whose chemical composition is identical to that of fossil fuels but are produced through synthetic processes rather than extracted and refined. This makes them a potential low-carbon... -
Gender equality in European research & innovation: interview with Dr Marcela Linková
Dr Marcela Linková, Head of the Centre for Gender and Science at the Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, participated in the STOA workshop on 'Gender Equality in Research & Innovation' on 5 November 2025 at 15:00 CET. Her research and policy engagement have been instrumental for... -
European AI music: responsible creativity? Interview with Dr François Pachet
Generative AI (GenAI) is advancing rapidly and transforming creative industries. With its ability to generate songs in a few minutes, it raises questions about AI’s role in human creativity. How can the EU find a balance between supporting the development of technologies that drive innovation and protecting...