From climate change and environmental degradation to misinformation and the irresponsible use of AI, not to mention the potential for a pandemic, the challenges of the future require informed policies and well-informed citizens. But how can we align science, research, policy and society? How can we ensure that the results of scientific developments are used responsibly in practice? How can we communicate the scientific method, including its limitations?

While many debates focus on questions of trust in science and science communication, the aim of this interactive session is to focus on elucidating the core of science and research: its methodology. Bringing together methodologists and philosophers of science and technology from diverse fields such as psychiatry, mental health, law and digital humanities, this session will collaboratively explore what a UvA Public Methodology Centre could and should be. Imagine methodologies opening a window to the world, clarifying how different fields of science and research work, how knowledge is created, and the uncertainties surrounding it. How can we develop a more sophisticated yet radical approach to strengthen the place of science and research in society, combining scientific citizenship with advances in science and research? This event is designed as a highly interactive session that draws on the experience and input of all participants to help shape the Centre.

Speakers

Huub Dijstelbloem

Prof. Dr. Huub Dijstelbloem is Professor of Philosophy of Science, Technology and Politics and Director of the Institute for Advanced Study of the University of Amsterdam. He is co-founder of the Platform for the Ethics and Politics of Technology and one of the initiators of the movement Science in Transition.

Yvonne Donders

Prof. Dr. Yvonne Donders is Professor of International Human Rights at the Department of International and European Law of the University of Amsterdam. She is also an elected member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

Danny Borsboom

Prof. Dr. Denny Borsboom is Director of the SoBeDSC. His research combines conceptual analysis, often based on insights taken from the philosophy of science, with the development of statistical techniques and practical methodologies that are designed to improve and expand the methodological framework in psychology.

Laurens Hessels

Prof. Dr. Laurens Hessels is a science policy researcher at the Rathenau Instituut and professor by special appointment of the societal value of science at Leiden University. He leads the Rathenau program ‘Science of the future’, which explores the impact of disruptive developments such as the rise of AI and geopolitical tensions on the science system. At Leiden University, Laurens investigates how to organise meaningful, balanced, and effective collaborations between science and society.

About the organiser: Shaping Interfaces Between Science and the Public

Shaping Interfaces Between Science and the Public is a UvA Research Priority Area (RPA) that aims to strengthen the relationship between science, citizen science, social debate and various professional practices.  ‘Shaping Interfaces’ will open a methodological window to the world, making clearer how different fields of science work, how knowledge is created, and with what uncertainties it is surrounded. The RPA is a collaboration between the faculties of Humanities, Law, Science, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and the Amsterdam UMC. The researchers involved are renowned experts with extensive experience in policy advice-making and public engagement.