Exploring the future of ’Science Shops’

The European Commission hosted a conference to review the successes of a network of Science Shops and explored opportunities to enlarge the network of partners.

The EPHA Secretariat attended the meeting organised by the DG Research together with representatives from NGO’s, Universities and existing Science Shops from throughout Europe.

Science shops are organisations created as mediators between citizen groups (trade unions, pressure groups, non-profit organisations, social groups, environmentalists, consumers, residents association etc.) and research institutions (universities, independent research facilities).

A science shop provides independent, participatory research support in response to concerns experienced by civil society.

The workshop addressed issues such as what role the European Union could play in the future development of Science Shops, how to encourage further spread of Science Shops in Europe and how to encourage relationships between Universities and Civil Society to meet the ’social demand’ for knowledge.

Further information about Science Shops can be found at:

 The website of Living Knowledge, an international network for science shops.
 A designated page of the European Commission.