The Oxford debate: The Social Responsibility of Science in the International Context

On October 2, 2022, I had the opportunity to facilitate a debate at the University of Oxford titled: The Social Responsibility of Science in the International Context. Polish Perspective. The debate was a part of the Science: Polish Perspectives (SPP) conference in Oxford. It was a part of a series of events connecting the Polish scientific diaspora all over the world.

The panellists:

  • Dr Rafael Popped – the head of Łukasiewicz Network
  • Prof. Renata Mieńkowska-Norkiene
  • Dr Dawid Kostecki – the head of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA)

The global volume of scientific publications has been on a remarkable upward trajectory, with a doubling every 10-15 years since the 1960s, as highlighted by Vincent Larivière and his team’s research. However, science transcends mere knowledge production; it encompasses societal contributions, ethical considerations, and civic engagement. With this perspective, we delved into the multifaceted dimensions of science’s social responsibility and examined exemplary practices.