EuroScience Open Forum

In July 2022, Leiden hosted the ESOF conference.

Working in close collaboration with EuroScience in Strasbourg, the tenth edition of ESOF took place between 13 and 16 July 2022, in Leiden. The EuroScience Open Forum is the largest multidisciplinary scientific conference in Europe.

From insights to impact

Under the title Crossing Borders, Engaged Science, Resilient Societies, ESOF is designed to help delegates build bridges that traverse the traditional borders that stop us tackling society’s key challenges. Borders in academia between the humanities, natural sciences, medicine and social sciences. Borders between the academic world as a whole and the society it’s there to serve. Between countries and cultures, between diverging stakeholder priorities. And between meeting society’s current needs and ensuring a safe, sustainable, healthy world for future generations.

ESOF2022 addresses seven different themes:

1. Sustainable environment

Looking at the ‘obvious’ issues of climate change, green energy and sustainable lifestyles. But also human rights, citizen science, a sustainable economy, and future mobility and tomorrow’s cities.

2. Cultural identities and societal transformation

From the pressing issues of global migration and Fortress Europe, to contested heritage and the mission of museums and collections, to art and protest movements.

3. Space for science

Covering such topics as the search for Earth and for extra-terrestrial life, dark-matter research, construction in space and on the Moon, and quantum computing.

4. Healthy societies

Key areas include the interplay between industrial and academic research; chronic diseases, soaring costs in healthcare and global inequalities. This theme also adresses digital tools, AI and data protection.

5. Freedom and responsibility of science

Investigating such issues as integrity in scientific advice; the dialogue between science and policy; scientific freedom and funding; responsible research and innovation; science diplomacy; and conflicts of interests.

6. Science and Business: the way forward with action-based entrepreneurship education

As well as entrepreneurial education, areas covered will include academic and industry-based research, value-driven innovation and innovation originating from the humanities.

7. Sustainable academic careers

Including new academic career paths; research quality versus research quantity; and the role of team science.

Programme ESOF2022

ESOF will leverage all the benefits of a hybrid format. With rich on- and offline programmes that allow visitors to build their networks, expand their knowhow, and discuss a huge range of topics — discovering new connections that offer fresh insights along the way. Check the programme on the ESOF2022 website.

Scientific Board Leiden2022

Two professors from Leiden University are the local champions of ESOF: Corinne Hofman, former dean of the Faculty of Archaeology, and Ferry Breedveld, radiologist and former chair of the Board of Governors of the LUMC. The scientific board of Leiden 2022 is closely involved in the organisation. The members of the board are:

• Ewine van Dischoeck (Science)
• Pieter ter Keurs (Archaeology)
• Frits Koning (LUMC)
• Rick Lawson (Law)
• Hanna Swaab (Social and Behavioural Sciences) 
• Kutsal Yesilkagit (Governance and Global Affairs)
• Robert Zwijnenberg (Humanities)

Read more about ESOF.