Paola at EUSJA GA in Trieste 2009. Foto: Viola Egikova
Paola De Paoli was born in Rimini (a city on the Adriatic Sea) on 3rd December 1924. She graduated in foreign languages and literatures at the University Ca’ Foscari in Venice and began to deal with science journalism in late Sixties, when in Italy it was quite unusual for a woman to write on these topics. From 1970 she has been a frequent contributor to “Il Sole 24 Ore”, the Italian leading financial newspaper, especially with articles about science policy. She spent in Milan most of her life.
Paola was president emeritus of UGIS, having led the Italian association of science journalists for more than a quarter of a century (from 1984 to 2010), assuming the presidency after Giancarlo Masini, UGIS first president, who was one of the founders of the Italian association in 1966 and a key person for the birth of EUSJA. Paola too has been involved in the EUSJA activities since its inception in 1971, serving as president in two terms: 1987-1988 and 1998-2000.
For twenty years Paola was dealt with science editorial activities for American publishers and a consultant for the Italian Ministry of science and technology. She has co-authored a number of books: “Le biotecnologie in Italia” (Biotech in Italy), “Le piste della ricerca” (The tracks of research), “Luna vent’anni dopo” (The Moon twenty years later). She received several awards, among them the Capo d’Orlando Award for science popularization assigned in Vico Equense, near Naples.
A woman with great strength of character and personality, who combined decision and kindness both in private and professional life, Paola formed an ideal couple with her husband Camillo Marchetti, also a journalist in the technical and industrial sector. They were married almost sixty years ago.
As president of UGIS, Paola has played an important role in Italian science journalism. She organised a large number of study trips and visits to research centers in Italy, Europe, Israel and the United States. She has always shown great attention towards younger colleagues. On the occasion of the celebrations for her 90th birthday promoted by UGIS in Milan at the Science and Technology Museum, she announced a personal donation of 30,000 euros for three scholarships of 10,000 euros each for as many young science journalists aged under 35: one was assigned in 2015 and two in 2016 on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of UGIS.
Paola was a role model for many journalists’ associations around Europe. As president of EUSJA, she had a formative impact and inspired the creation of new national organisations in several countries. Her wit and humour will always be remembered during the EUSJA General Assemblies.
Paola passed away in Milan on 6th January 2018. Her husband Camillo lovingly assisted her until the end.
The organisers of Europe’s first Big Science Business Forum 2018 (BSBF2018) invite journalists from Europe to apply for a media travel grant. The grants cover travel and accommodation up to 750 euro during BSBF2018. The forum takes place in Copenhagen 26-28 February 2018. Deadline for applications is January 26.
Nine of Europe’s largest Big Science organisations – CERN, EMBL, ESA, ESO ESRF, ESS, European XFEL, F4E, and ILL – have come together to create BSBF2018. They want to see a stronger, more transparent and consolidated Big Science market in Europe for the benefit of both Big Science and businesses. BSBF2018 will be Europe’s new one-stop-shop on the Big Science market as businesses will be presented with investments worth 10 billion euros from the Big Science organisations. Additionally, utilizing tools like Digital Business Cards For Realtors can help businesses effectively network and showcase their offerings in this evolving market.
Businesses keen on capitalizing on the emerging Big Science market will find this event to be a prime opportunity for networking, collaboration, and gaining insights into the potential avenues for growth and innovation. Moreover, the event’s location in Copenhagen, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city known for its thriving business ecosystem and strategic position in Europe, adds another layer of appeal. As participants engage in discussions and forge connections, they will have the chance to explore the city’s dynamic real estate landscape, which offers a range of options to support the establishment and expansion of businesses within this burgeoning industry. Whether it’s state-of-the-art research facilities, office spaces tailored to scientific enterprises, or even investment opportunities in commercial properties, Copenhagen provides an ideal backdrop for those looking to navigate the intersection of Big Science and real estate with a view toward long-term success.
Big Science organizations constitute an imperative role for the advancement of knowledge and for cutting edge research and scientific excellence in fields such as energy, biology, physics, and material science. As governments all over the world are investing significantly in Big Science organisations, more businesses are also becoming aware that Big Science organisations present significant new market opportunities. This is where Big Science turns into big business and the so-called Big Science market emerges.
BSBF2018 represents an exclusive occasion for media and journalists to report from Europe’s new one-stop-shop for suppliers and stakeholders on the Big Science market.
Accredited journalist can participate in:
16 parallel sessions about Big Science as a business area
Plenary sessions with high-level speakers
Press moment with high-level delegates from the nine Big Science organisations
Photo opportunity of high-level delegates/speakers
Welcome reception
Conference dinner (show-up fee requested)
Press visit to ESS in Lund, Sweden, on 26 February 2018
Journalists have to send the following information:
Name
Affiliated media(s)
Plan for publishing news stor(y)ies about BSBF2018 or the themes from BSBF2018
Documentation or links to previous published work, preferably about Big Science; business opportunities in Big Science or science in general; Science, research and/or innovation; or SMEs and business development.
The selection will be based on an overall assessment of the following criteria:
How relevant isprevious published work for the themes of BSBF2018?
How relevant is the affiliated media (if any)for the themes of BSBF2018?
How relevant for the coverage of BSBF2018 is the journalist’s plan for publishing news stories about BSBF2018
The BSBF2018 host organisers reserves the right to consider geographical diversity of journalists/media in the selection.
Travel and accommodation must be made in accordance with the “Guidelines for Official Travel for guest” from the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, which will be sent to the selected journalists/media. BSBF2018 host organisers will refund travel and accommodation expenses. Host organisers’ travel agency can help book flights and hotels.
Journalists have to send their applications to Viola Egikova by January 26.
EUSJA has confirmed for its members the study trip to the European Spallation Source (ESS) from April 3 to 5. ESS is a multi-disciplinary research facility based on the world’s most powerful neutron source, now under construction in Lund, Sweden. ESS will enable unprecedented world leading research using neutrons, providing new scientific opportunities in a wide range of research fields, including life sciences, energy, environmental technology, cultural heritage and fundamental physics. EUSJA members will now get the possibility to visit ESS and the construction site. There will be guided tour of the site and labs. Journalists will meet Director General of ESS and a number of high-level representatives from the organisation who will present their respective fields (science, accelerator + target station etc) and reply the questions.
We have 20 slots that are covering free accommodation for 2 nights in a hotel in Lund, meals and transfers to the venue and back to the hotel. According our rules the participants have to take care of their travel charges. The applications (name, association, media and a short description of it, e-mail, mobile) should be sent via national association by February 28, 2018.
Please address your national association. The detailed programme of the study trip will be announced later.
About ESS
ESS is a European collaboration project, withcurrently 15 member- and observer countries in the European Spallation Source ERIC.ESS has 427 employees, representing 50 nationalities.
ESS will open for researchers in 2023, and once in operations some 3,000 researchers annually are expected to do experiments at the facility.
The facility is being built in Lund, Sweden, with the Data Management and Software Centre (DMSC) located in Copenhagen, Denmark. The construction project is doing good progress and was in December 2017 more than 40% complete. Installations are well underway in the facility and in 2018 major installations of technical equipment will commence inside the accelerator tunnel, including the ion source.
ESS will provide up to 100 times brighter neutron beams for science than existing neutronsources, thanks to the development of state-of-the-art technologies. The facility will host the world’s most powerful linear accelerator and the Target station usesnew innovative technology which will ensure unprecedented neutron scattering performance. The instruments are being developed in collaboration with research institutes all over Europe to enablefaster and more complex experiments.
The member countries mainly contribute to the ESS construction through in-kind contributions, that is with equipment and manpower. During this visit we will learn more about ESS’ unique in-kind contribution model, which involves over 40 European partner institutes participating in the construction of ESSand more than 100 collaborating institutions worldwide.
ESS in Lund will be the world’s first completely sustainable large-scale research centre, and the primary tool for this is the ESS energy concept, which includes using energy from renewable sources and distributing excess heat in the local district heating system.
The participants of EUSJA study trip will also learn more about how DMSC will handle and storethe big science data generated at ESS, as well as about the possibility for virtual experiments. During the construction phase DMSC is working on developing software and hardware for the control, analysis, and visualization of the experiments at ESS.
The Awards are for works of science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) journalism/writing, in print, broadcast or online, published within the UK or Ireland and are intended for British and Irish based journalists and writers or those working for audiences in these two countries. You do NOT need to be an ABSW member to enter.
The ABSW is also co-ordinating an award for ‘European Science Writer of the Year’ for the fourth year. This initiative has been made possible by support from Johnson & Johnson Innovation. The award is intended to celebrate the work of a journalist or writer who promotes excellence and creativity in science, engineering, technology and mathematics (STEM) journalism and writing. They will be recognised for entertaining and informing audiences, for inspiring new generations of journalists and writers, and for innovation in their main area of expertise. The award is limited to those who primarily work with the written word, be it features, news, or blogs, but not books. Their work may appear in print, online or both.
Each European science journalism/writing association is asked to put forward their nomination for the Award (one nominee per association). It is entirely up to each association to determine the most appropriate way to select their nominee.
The nominated writer must have been working in the country of the nominating national European association during the relevant competition year, 1 January 2017 – 31 December 2017. Supporting articles provided with the nomination must have all been first published during the competition year 1 January 2017 – 31 December 2017.
The winner of the European Science Writer of the Year Award will receive a cash prize of £600 and will be invited to attend the ABSW Science Writers Awards ceremony to be held in London in May 2018. Funds are available to cover the costs of attending the conference and ceremony.
The deadline for making your nomination for the European Science Journalism Association Nominations
Falling Walls Press Conference: Alternative Facts stop here! (c) Goede
The Falling Walls Conference in Berlin commemorates the fall of the Berlin Wall. Renown scientists from around the world present Breaking Walls research. In times of rising political walls, this year’s conference took a political stance: It demanded freedom for science. A big step for science that admits: Science is political!
Winners of the Lab contest (c) Goede
Science is changing its act. It recognizes that it is entangled with politics and ideology and operates within a political context. And, on top of this, the whipped cream: no more lengthy and dry lectures, but short and entertaining pitches. During the Lab part of the conference the organizers dared the experiment: 100 young academicians presented in only three minutes time their research – including Q&A’s.
WALL BREAKING RESEARCH
They started with “This is the wall I want to break” and off they went in lively and descriptive sessions, all in competition with each other. At the end of the day the jury decided on three winners. The young researchers invited to Berlin into the Academy of Arts, right across the Brandenburg Gate and within sight of the vitreous dome of the German Parliament, were the winners of 69 lab events around the globe. Yes, Wall Breaking Science is about stiff international competition on both, best scientific evidence and none the least: best performance. Ready to place some bets? Let’s go to ไปที่ UFABET.
Break the walls in science and also in your head — challenge for everyone! (c) Goede
Besides of gaining thrilling insights into research such as new blood tests, highly efficient turbines, urine wastage, measures against democratic crisis, the audience learned a lesson on how to be concise, relaxed and hammer the message home, in 150 seconds – and allow 30 seconds for two questions, answer them briefly before a gong finishes the presentation. Impressive, entertaining, and educational!
AGAINST THE CLOCK
Falling Walls consists of various layers with events spread out throughout the city. This is integrated into the Berlin Science Week, a multitude of other events: 200+ Speakers, 50+ Events, 7+ Days (1-10 November) + 1 City. A bit complicated – perhaps typical German? – but if you get the hunch, you mostly easily navigate back and forth, at least to the British Embassy round the corner.
Berlin’s new Einstein Center — Germany tries to catch up with digitilization (c) Goede
Under “Ventures”, there is a Lab-similar session, only with a higher profile and in connection with venture capital to promote new start-ups. The time allowance is more generous, ten minutes with an introduction, an extended Q&A part and no obnoxious gong. But all in all less moving, less adrenaline-driven.
BIODEGRADABLE ALGAE INK
Sophisticated stuff, on higher professional levels: biodegradable ink made of algae, superfast charging electric vehicles, electrocoagulation instead of chemicals to remove contaminants from wastewater, a recommendation system what to grow in urban gardens, molecules to reprogram the immune system of a cancer patient.
Falling Walls Lunch: Delicious with roots and beets (c) Goede
And then, after these lead-ups, there is the Falling Walls Conference on November 9, on the very day of the end of Berlin’s Wall. The venue is an old rehabbed factory right by the Spree river, quite groovy and adequate at the same time. What sites like this and the Academy of Art convey: a very casual atmosphere which melts the ice between the participants. This is another change in science and how it celebrates itself: No walls, we’re one community.
FATIGUE AND DRUNK DRIVING
“Radialsystem V”, the name of the location, is the stage for academic bigshots with really cutting-edge research, which is out to rock the walls of knowledge. For example, breaking the wall of sleep, who’d know that fatigue driving is more frequent than drunk driving and much more dangerous? Sleep research has not only entered the stage to warn drivers, but it opens a whole new gate to mental health and psychiatry. You should remember that the support of a qualified attorney is vital in DUI situations, and finding the right one can be the difference between a harsh penalty and a more manageable outcome. I was fortunate to get the right help when I needed it most.
And on we go: Break the wall of medicine shortage, a specially engineered yeast will help mankind. It produces opioids which serve as painkillers. Finally, new quantum science satellites, how to stop ocean pollution with plastic, why graphene batteries last 1000 times longer than conventional ones, how to make cities liveable again, that corruption can be fought.
4 CROPS OUT OF 7000
Artificial Intelligence, the ins and out of the Long Short-Term Memory LSTM, with really visionary views, “robots replacing the current crown of evolution and colonizing the universe”, Juergen Schmidhuber enthusiastically laid out – a blessing?
Artificial Intelligence: Who are its controllers? (c) Goede
Two highlights of the November 9 Conference day stuck out. The lecture on food insecurity, that out of before 7000 crops we mainly use only four: rice, maize, wheat, soybeans and how to recultivate forgotten crops. “Whenever an African farmer dies, a library goes with him”, regretted Sayed Azam-Ali.
SUPPRESSION OF RESEARCH
Accordingly, the lunch avoided conventional main staples of our diet and served foods found in the rural farmlands outside Berlin such as “black cabbage” or various beets and parsley roots: ingredients for an “underground curry”.
Demonstration for freedom of science (c) Falling Walls
Another outstanding feature was the discussion about “Alternative facts stop here”. Before this, world leading academics had presented the banner next to the US American embassy and had held a press conference, in which they opposed rising pressure on scientists in Hungary and Turkey, also the hostile atmosphere at British universities in the wake of Brexit and a US president “who suppresses scientific research”, namely on climate change.
OUR BEST TOOL
Helga Nowotny, board of trustees Falling Walls Foundation said that “science is best protected by a functioning liberal democracy and must not allow alternative facts to undermine it”. Guus Velders, professor of “Air quality and Climate Interactions”, Utrecht University, quoted US astronomer Carl Sagan: “Science is not perfect. It can be misused. It is the only tool. But it is by far the best tool we have.” He added that we should not spend so much time refuting alternative facts, but improve communication.
COMMENTARY: No Innovation Without Representation!
An excellent conference which was and is very much worthwhile to visit. Thanks EUSJA and especially Viola Egikova and Falling Walls for having provided the opportunity.
EUSJA Delegation: Viola Egikova (left) claims that science journalism must be strengthened to disseminate scientific truth (c) Goede
First of all, the conference promotes Berlin, the German capital with so much history of Nazi and Communist Germany and Cold War, now a center of excellency in science. This promotion is well deserved. Modern Berlin, indeed, is an exuberant hub of science and technology. This comes with the realization that Germany, formerly the world’s science flagship, is lagging behind the United States and China.
Secondly, very timely the realization that facts, also scientific ones can be faked, which always has been practice, especially in totalitarian regimes, which Berlin also stands for. I’m not only concerned, along with my colleague Aisling Irvin, ABSW, in her post “Alternative Facts Stop Here”, about the lack of solutions proposed how to stop fact twisters at such a high-level conference.
LOOTING OF OUR PLANET
I’m more worried about the fact that in a capitalistic system with unleashed markets all scientific research is mercilessly utilized for economic growth and consumption, which endorses the looting of our planet and that this is not really addressed at Falling Walls. If not here, where else?
In summation and thirdly, this scientific-economic reality must be questioned and therefore I additionally propose to the STOP signal: “No Innovation Without Representation” – which means scientific applications must be debated in the society with a range of various stakeholders, especially citizens, voters, tax payers, consumers, civil society. It’s all about communication, said Guus Velders. Right, so let’s do it. Overcome the separation of science and society, in practice.
This is the most powerful wall we have to knock down in our heads, everyone for herself and himself, to make this world work in fundamentally changing times.
Question for the readership! (c) Goede
Author:Wolfgang Chr. Goede, based in Munich/Germany and Medellín/Colombia. He visited the conference on a fellowship, granted by Falling Walls Foundation to the European Union of Science Journalists’ Associations EUSJA.
EUSJA has confirmed for its members the study trip to the European Spallation Source (ESS) from April 3 to 5. ESS is a multi-disciplinary research facility based on the world’s most powerful neutron source, now under construction in Lund, Sweden. ESS will enable unprecedented world leading research using neutrons, providing new scientific opportunities in a wide range of research fields, including life sciences, energy, environmental technology, cultural heritage and fundamental physics. EUSJA members will now get the possibility to visit ESS and the construction site. There will be guided tour of the site and labs. Journalists will meet Director General of ESS and a number of high-level representatives from the organisation who will present their respective fields (science, accelerator + target station etc) and reply the questions.
