Open to the World

The European Organization for Nuclear Research, known as by its French acronym CERN, makes all of its results widely available through an open source digital library. Image credit: 2005-2016 CERNThe Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance organises scientific surveys involving countries around the Atlantic, such as one carried out on the Canadian coastguard ship Louis S. St-Laurent which mapped the seafloor between Halifax, Canada and Tromso, Norway. Image courtesy of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

The Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance organises scientific surveys involving countries around the Atlantic, such as one carried out on the Canadian coastguard ship Louis S. St-Laurent which mapped the seafloor between Halifax, Canada and Tromso, Norway. Image courtesy of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Research and innovation can generate the knowledge and solutions to tackle urgent international problems like the Ebola outbreak or the refugee crisis. By removing barriers to international cooperation between researchers and innovators, engaging in science diplomacy, and leading research and innovation partnerships to address global challenges, there is enormous potential for Europe to have a leading voice in global debates. Being open to the world and maintaining the EU’s presence at the highest level of international scientific endeavour is a priority for the European Commission.

Clean combustion expert Dr Chong Cheng Tung says that waste cooking oil and biomass are the most promising sources for green jet fuel. Image credit - Dr Chong Cheng Tung

interview | transport | environment | open to the world

13 June 2019

Aeroplanes could cut emissions by flying on waste cooking oil fuel

Blending biofuels and kerosene to create greener jet fuel has shown promising results in test flights, but more work needs to be done to ensure biofuels burn cleanly and can be produced in a large-scale, low-cost way, says Dr Chong Cheng Tung, associate professor at the China-UK Low Carbon College of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China.

Through Grassroots Wavelengths, FM frequencies work off a transmitter connected to a mobile phone, broadcasting over a radius of up to 12 km. Image Credit - Andreea Bonea / RootIO, licensed under CC BY-NC

ict | open to the world | science in society

10 January 2019

Hyperlocal radio and do-it-yourself networks bring information closer to home

Modern communications technology means one can find anything, anywhere around the world, on the internet and via mobile phones. But people still live in communities and need information that is relevant to them.

Complex Earth observation data is being turned into real-time tools to help solve problems on the ground in Africa. Image credit - MERIS mosaic of Africa, May 2004 by ESA is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO

environment | policy | open to the world

22 November 2018

Europe’s eyes in the sky are helping to solve energy, land-use problems in Africa

Scientists have created a solar atlas of Egypt, revealing where the sun’s rays shine most brilliantly and where dust storms obstruct its light. And in Niger, forecasters are guiding pastoralists towards grazing areas and water sources – and away from conflict with sedentary farmers.

From the lack of methane sinks to the high suicide rates of indigenous populations, Arctic researchers are studying a range of issues. Image credit - NASA, licensed under CC0

environment | open to the world

23 October 2018

What keeps Arctic scientists awake at night?

In a year when Arctic warming rose to global prominence after temperatures hit a sweltering 32˚C inside the Arctic Circle, what are some of the specific issues that keep Arctic scientists awake at night?

health | open to the world

21 June 2018

Ebola outbreak – this time it’s different

Lessons learned from past Ebola epidemics are helping to combat a fresh outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Investing in new vaccines, diagnostic tests and laboratories is paying off as expert networks spring into action.

Image credit - Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC

environment | open to the world | interview

31 May 2018

Black Sea research could reveal cultural sites and methane ice - Dr Adrian Stanica

Cooperative marine research projects between the countries surrounding the Black Sea could reveal cultural heritage sites and unknown resources such as frozen methane, as well as enhance economic growth, bolster tourism and strengthen political bonds, according to Dr Adrian Stanica. He is Director-General of the Romanian National Institute of Marine Geology and Geoecology (GeoEcoMar) and one of the experts tasked with identifying the research gaps and opportunities in the Black Sea region.

Getting people involved in local community projects can help them engage with how the oceans are changing. Credit — Avalonas5673, licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0

environment | open to the world

19 February 2018

Raising ocean literacy levels could protect marine environment

Hundreds of kilometres away from any sea, ocean or sandy beach, students from countries such as the Czech Republic have been discovering their connection with the marine world.

Using innovation tools in the humanitarian sector can help flip the top-down model of aid. Credit — UNWFP

health | open to the world

19 December 2017

Accelerators, fab labs and hackathons – the tech tools being co-opted for social good

Picture the humanitarian aid sector and you don’t immediately think of start-up accelerators and hackathons. But aid agencies are co-opting these tools of innovation to help solve global issues – and a new EUR 5 million prize from the EU is designed to boost this even further.

A 10-year research partnership between Mediterranean countries will tackle water scarcity and food insecurity in the region. Image credit – CC0

policy | open to the world

13 November 2017

Jordan joins Mediterranean research effort to tackle water, food insecurity

Jordan has become the latest country to sign up to an international research effort to tackle water scarcity and food insecurity in the Mediterranean region.

Dr Gihan Kamel, SESAME's infrared beamline scientist, returned to the Middle East from Italy, in a case of what she calls brain drain reversal. Image credit - ‘Gihan Kamel - infrared Beamline Lab’ by IAEA is licensed under CC BY 2.0

interview | frontier research | open to the world

06 November 2017

We do not fight when we deal with science – Dr Gihan Kamel

Scientists in the Middle East are putting politics aside and using the region’s new particle accelerator, SESAME, to collaborate on experiments such as distinguishing between benign and malignant cancer tissues, and analysing historical parchments from religious texts, according to Dr Gihan Kamel, the infrared beamline scientist at the facility.She will be speaking at a session on science diplomacy at the World Science Forum in Jordan on 10 November with Carlos Moedas, the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation.