Conference on Scientific Freedom and Responsibility

The discussion will shed light on the concept of scientific freedom and responsibility drawing on existing normative standards and analysis (including UNESCO’s 2017 Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers and the ISC Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science 2021 discussion paper, A contemporary perspective on the free and responsible practice of science in the 21st century).

It will also address challenges that arise from the rapid development of science and technology, such as the disintegration of trust in science and the repercussions on the protection of scientists. Historical perspectives and regional approaches will also be explored. The goal is to find ways to reinforce the work of governments and key institutions through appropriate tools and frameworks for measuring progress.

The event will be opened by Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO and Sir Peter Gluckman, President of the ISC.

Invitees include:

• Robert French – Retired Chief Justice of Australia; Chancellor, University of Western Australia; Adjunct and Honorary Professorial positions at the University of Western Australia, Melbourne University, Monash University and the Australian National University. Member of the International Science Council’s (ISC) Standing Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science 2022-2025.
• Staffan Lindberg -  Professor & Director, V-Dem Institute, Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg. Member of the ISC Standing Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science 2022-2025.
• Sayaka Oki– Professor, Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo, Japan. Member of the ISC Standing Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science 2022-2025.
• Krushil Watane – Associate Professor in Philosophy at Massey University in Aotearoa New Zealand. Member of the ISC Standing Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science 2022-2025.
• Liviu Matei – Professor of Higher Education and Public Policy, Head of the King's School of Education, Communication & Society (ECS), founded the Global Observatory on Academic Freedom.
• Guy Moussavou, Director General of the National Institute of Research in Social and Human Sciences and Teacher-researcher at the College, Congo-Brazzaville.
• Professor Zabta Khan Shinwari, T.I., S.I.; UNESCO Laureate Distinguished National Professor/ Prof. Emeritus, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad-Pakistan. Former Vice Chair, of the World Commission of Ethics in Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST); Former Secretary-General of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences; Fellow, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS); Pakistan Academy of Sciences & Vice President Islamic World Academy of Sciences
• Robert Quinn, founding Executive Director of the Scholars at Risk Network, an independent not-for-profit corporation based at New York University, and host of the Free to Think podcast.