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.
Articles
Smart urban planning starts with interdisciplinary thinking and action
While the concept of smart cities has been around for three decades, a growing criticism has shaken the grounds of 21st century urban planning worldwide. Experts and researchers of various fields have recognized that the future of smart city planning is multidisciplinary, and the search for common grounds between technological innovation, social justice and environmental protection, made all the more vital by the Covid-19 crisis.
Renée DiResta: “The effectiveness of countering Covid-19 disinformation depends on the degree of trust your government enjoys”
Renée DiResta is the Technical Research Manager at the Stanford Internet Observatory. She investigates the spread of malign narratives across social and other media networks. Renee’s areas of research include disinformation and propaganda by state-sponsored actors, and health misinformation and conspiracy theories. Renee has advised Congress, the State Department, and other academic, civic, and business ...
COVID-19 and Climate Change: connected crises and lessons to learn
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about worldwide disruption. As societies tentatively begin to reopen, the pandemic holds lessons for how the world faces another globally existential threat, the climate crisis.
Digital entertainment in lockdown: the new life of culture online
During the months-long European lockdown, entertainment moved online like never before. Creativity flourished on social media platforms and, despite being locked up in their homes, people were longing for entertainment that connected them with friends and family. Meanwhile with all museums closed, European cultural heritage was given a new life online.
Interview with Stephan Lewandowsky, cognitive scientist at the University of Bristol
Stephan Lewandowsky is a cognitive scientist with an interest in computational modeling. Recently, he has become particularly interested in how people update their memories if things they believe turn out to be false. This has led him to examine the persistence of misinformation and spread of “fake news” in society. He has become particularly interested ...
“Unlocking” COVID-19: the use and misuse of tests
“Test, test, test” was one of the mantras of the World Health Organization (WHO) director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The issue is particularly relevant in the “unlocking” phase several European countries are going through, as the curve of the pandemics bends. At this stage, and while effective vaccines or therapies are still not available, tests are crucial to keep the disease at bay. But are they effective and reliable?
Prof. Elias Mossialos: “Transparency is vital to the management of responses to health crises”
Interview on COVID-19 with Professor Elias Mossialos, Brian Abel-Smith Professor of Health Policy, Head of the Department of Health Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Director of LSE Health, UK, and Chief Adviser to the Greek Government on the COVID-19 pandemic. How was Greece’s successful COVID-19 response organised? Greece’s ...
From COVID-19 to climate change: seeing the issues beyond the news cycle
While COVID-19 and climate change may appear to belong to different worlds, one can uncover direct causal links when looking through a Systems Thinking lens. In an age of uncertainty, how should journalists and science communicators approach and report about complex issues like climate change?
Interview with Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, Director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism on Covid-19 misinformation
Rasmus Kleis Nielsen is Director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. He is also Professor of Political Communication at the University of Oxford. He was previously Director of Research at the Reuters Institute and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Press/Politics. His work focuses on changes in the news media, on political communication, and the ...
Covid-19: Harnessing the power of digital technologies and data sharing
Digital technologies and data-driven science offer solutions to control and mitigate the effects of Covid-19 on health and the economy. What is at stake for Europe?