The Transatlantic Big Science Conference tackled highly topical issues of international research cooperation. Image: Carnegie Science
On 31 October and 1 November, leaders in scientific research and government, mainly from Europe and the U.S, came together in Washington, DC for the Transatlantic Big Science Conference. Following the initiative and invitation by DESY and the American research foundation Carnegie Science, participants dealt with highly topical issues of international research cooperation in order to jointly develop solutions for the challenges of our time.
"The close cooperation between Europe and the U.S. in research and development is an important component for overcoming global crises. Against the background of the increasingly complex geopolitical situation, this transatlantic bridge must be further expanded and even better coordinated. This is the only way we can achieve a joint international commitment and the urgently needed strengthening of worldwide scientific cooperation," Helmut Dosch, Chairman of the DESY Board of Directors, concluded.
Global challenges such as the climate crisis, pandemic and war are shaping worldwide research cooperation. Scientists around the world are asking themselves how they can contribute to solutions with their research and further develop their cooperation in the face of these enormous threats to human civilisation. Renowned science institutions and research centres on both sides of the Atlantic were at the centre of the conference.
With their large research infrastructures and their international science networks, they are of particular importance for finding ways and answers to the following questions in close exchange:
International conflict breaking established cooperation. Between populist governments, exits from historical trade and cooperation unions, and even wars, the traditional modes of working together are quickly breaking down.
Climate-related crises. Each year the effect of global warming is more apparent, with disasters claiming lives and livelihoods. How can we work together even more closely internationally to develop more effective strategies to avoid a complete disaster?
Pandemics. COVID-19 has upended the world, disrupting economies and social structures. What have we learned from this crisis and how can we position ourselves better and more resiliently for future crises?
New technologies. The development of new digital technologies such as exascale computing, AI and quantum computing raise major questions about technology sovereignty, standardisation and technology assessment. How can we jointly advance developments on both sides of the Atlantic while taking ethical, economic and security interests into account?
Academic freedom under threat. Authoritarian governments are exerting more and more pressure on their researchers. How can we continue to shape international cooperation with countries under difficult conditions effectively? What role can "science diplomacy" play here?
Weakening trust in science. The pandemic and climate crisis and the way they have reached the public through the media and politics have also led to a growing distrust of otherwise established science. What can we do to make scientific communication more resilient to disinformation and promote evidence-based decision-making?
The event strengthened the important discourse between politics and science on both sides of the Atlantic and established new collaborations to develop forward-looking strategies for a supportive and resilient environment for science. Prior to the conference, consultations with strong participation of DESY took place between high-ranking representatives of the Helmholtz Association and the US Department of Energy (DOE). Among other things, joint roadmaps, improved framework conditions for cooperation and the establishment of a special Helmholtz-DOE Fellowship Programme were suggested.
"The conference has been a promising starting point and should serve as a nucleus for future activities to advance our transatlantic relations," Otmar Wiestler, president of the Helmholtz Association, said.
The results and recommendations of this first Transatlantic Big Science Conference will be summarised in a white paper for science and policy. A follow-up event is planned for 2024.
Keynote speakers at the conference include Government representatives from US, EU and Germany, U.S. National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan, and German Helmholtz Association President Otmar Wiestler. Other speakers included leading representatives from CERN, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, the Leopoldina Academy and many more. Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger also sent a video message to the approximately 130 attendees, in which she emphasised freedom and democracy as the basis for cooperation and underlined the importance of transatlantic relations.
"This meeting is particularly important in these times to help us understand how the future of science and international cooperation can continue," says Helmut Dosch, co-initiator and organiser of the conference. "Despite the challenges facing science and society internationally, we need to break new ground, because science cannot function without people living together peacefully."
For more information, visit www.transatlanticscience.org.
