innovation
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 the heart of Europe’s future’, organised on 3 ...
A scientist’s opinion: interview with Dr Gabi Lombardo on the importance of social sciences and humanities
“Social sciences and humanities unveil weaknesses of our societies and allow us to address them” Dr Gabi Lombardo is the Director of the European Alliance for Social Sciences and Humanities (EASSH), an advocacy and science policy organisation for social sciences and humanities (SSH) in Europe. She is an expert in both higher education and global ...
Empowered by Music in the Age of Innovation
Rapid technological advancements are transforming cultural and creative industries, affecting how music is created, shared and experienced. Digital tools such as AI-assisted composition software, virtual instruments and advanced production platforms give artists new ways to experiment and push creative boundaries. Streaming services and social media have reshaped and democratised distribution, making it easier for musicians ...
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 developing, implementing and assessing gender equality ...
A multilingual news platform for better-informed EU citizens
Wouldn't it be great to be able to access foreign news in your own language? A recent STOA study explores the idea of a news streaming platform that could transform how EU citizens access information across linguistic boundaries. The ESMH spoke with the two main authors of the study from the Centre for Media Pluralism ...
Transparent and accessible global data critical for European researchers: Interview with Professor Thomas Hartung
The landscape of scientific research is shaped by global digital infrastructures, with critical databases in health, medicine, climate, and the social sciences. The dominance of foreign and commercial databases poses strategic vulnerabilities for academic freedom, innovation, and research continuity in Europe. What are the risks associated with this concentrated 'power' of some databases? And how ...
A scientist’s opinion: interview with Prof. Stephanie Wehner on the quantum internet
“The EU now faces a critical choice: continue to lead this transformation, or risk becoming dependent on others for this foundational technology," says computer scientist and quantum physicist Stephanie Wehner. She is Professor in quantum information at Delft University (the Netherlands) and Director of the European Quantum Internet Alliance. She is also the laureate of ...
Is Europe ready for the quantum internet?
With its unique physical properties, quantum-transmitted data is impossible to eavesdrop on. The EU is at a critical juncture in the development of this groundbreaking technology, with major efforts underway to build the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure. As other regions and countries, such as China, also invest heavily in quantum internet, the question remains whether ...