「私たちは、研究者や研究機関や政策立案者に指示を出しているわけではありません」

What researchers need most is a robust support system that allows them to focus on their research. EuroScience (Strasbourg) is a non-profit coalition of researchers that focuses on the needs of researchers at the grassroots level, opening its doors to researchers and scientific support organizations regardless of their career stage or specialization. Aiming to deepen discussions on issues related to science and policymaking, it currently has 2,600 scientists and 16 organizations as members. It also hosts the EuroScience Open Forum ( ESOF ) and publishes the free online journal EuroScientist . Furthermore, it is a partner of NewHoRRIzon , a project focused on responsible research and innovation in Europe.

This time, Makoto Yuasa, Representative Director of Cactus Communications Japan, interviewed Professor Michael Matlosz , Chairman of EuroScience . In the first half of the interview, we asked Professor Matlosz about his vision and mission at EuroScience , as well as how EuroScience has grown and what contributions it has made. We also received advice on the best way to start a science-related organization in today's global and dynamic scientific community.

Professor Michael Matros has built a distinguished career after earning his PhD in Electrochemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. After working at the Department of Materials Science at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology from 1985 , he moved to the University of Lorraine (France) in 1993 , where he currently serves as a professor. He also serves as President of Fondation UNIT and a member of the French Academy of Technology. Furthermore, he served as President and CEO of the French National Research Organization ( Paris ) ( 2014–2017 ) and President of Science Europe , a federation of leading research and research funding institutions in Europe ( 2015–2017 ). In 2018 , he became President of EuroScience (for a four-year term ) .

What are EuroScience 's main objectives and mission?

EuroScience 's primary objective was to establish a coalition for scientists as individuals, independent of their affiliated institutions or organizations. Our work involves observing scientific professional practices and identifying areas of common ground among stakeholders such as researchers, science journalists, science teachers, science communicators, and science policymakers.

While the majority of its members are researchers, it also includes many science communication specialists and policymakers. It welcomes researchers from all fields, including social sciences, arts, and humanities. Although its scope of activity is very broad, its focus is narrowed to common issues related to scientific research and policymaking. Its main mission is to demonstrate what scientists do and how science can bring about change in society.

We hope that the diverse activities of science and scientists can promote integration across Europe and among European countries.

Each European country has its own tradition, methodology, and approach to science (how science is conducted, how research is organized, etc.). Within this context, we believe that a nationwide coalition to see, hear, and understand science is crucial for its merits and the interaction between science and society. In this sense, EuroScience places great importance on helping scientists and other experts understand the need to listen to society, and is strongly committed to its role as an open forum that facilitates and promotes dialogue. We are not issuing orders to researchers, research institutions, or policymakers; rather, we are stimulating their interactions. We communicate the importance of working conditions, research environments, career prospects, and geographical and thematic fluidity in academia, as well as the impact of broader discussions such as open science and scientific integrity. EuroScience is now recognized as a voice for European scientists and researchers, and is involved in policy discussions with stakeholders. For example , one of our main achievements is our significant contribution to the adoption of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers .

What is the role of a professor at EuroScience ?

EuroScience has a very clear mission and vision. As the current president of EuroScience , I must develop strategies to ensure that our activities make the greatest possible contribution, influence, and impact. We want to give a "voice" to scientists working both in the laboratory and outside their fields. I also participate in conferences as a EuroScience representative and serve as the organization's spokesperson.

EuroScience is based in a small office in Strasbourg, France. One of my roles is to ensure the smooth operation of this office and to improve the performance of the full-time staff . I also facilitate interaction between stakeholders and members, and currently I am working to strengthen and expand working groups on science policy. In February 2019 , I participated in discussions on the introduction of "Plan S, " an initiative for open access to scientific publications in Europe. Because EuroScience has scientists from all fields with varying levels of experience, our contributions and responses in these discussions were quite different from those of the other participants. The responses of the other participants were all organizational, focusing on business models and budgetary aspects. Only EuroScience members expressed concerns about issues such as the quality of published papers, evaluation procedures, and career mobility. More recently, I made a similar contribution by surveying member responses in discussions regarding the upcoming program " Horizon Europe ."

My position at EuroScience is unique. I am a university professor, and I dedicate half of my working hours to EuroScience through an in-kind contribution from the University of Lorraine. In other words, the university continues to pay me my salary without seeking any financial compensation from EuroScience . The university understands the importance of researchers working in the fields promoted by organizations like EuroScience . I am very fortunate to be in this environment, and I am very grateful to the university. I am also grateful to the wonderful staff at EuroScience who are passionate about their mission and vision.

Everyone involved with EuroScience has other jobs. I am a university professor. All members of the board are volunteers. Everyone works very hard, but they also have other responsibilities outside of EuroScience . I feel that recognizing this helps to foster better relationships with members and volunteers.

How did you increase your membership? Also, what are the benefits of becoming a member?

The main benefit of joining EuroScience is that you can participate in activities that allow you to make your voice heard while contributing to the advancement of science. I would also add that EuroScience membership fees are not expensive, there is no paperwork, and all members are connected digitally! I also think it's great that the members come from such diverse nationalities, which provides the diversity we seek. As for how we have been successful in attracting so many members, the main focus of our promotion is the ESOF conference, which is held every two years and has more than 4,000 participants . As I mentioned earlier, we have also recently been strengthening our working group on science policy to deepen interaction among members. This is also a direct benefit of becoming a EuroScience member.

Let's shift the topic to Japan. To my understanding, Japan does not have an organization that plays a role similar to EuroScience or the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) . Do you think Japan has an organization like EuroScience ? If not, what do you think is the reason? Also, do you think Japan needs such an organization?

I'm glad you asked about Japan, because I spent some time there on sabbatical in 1990. Unfortunately, it was a short period, so I wasn't able to gain a sufficient understanding of the scientific situation in Japan. I'm more familiar with the situation in Europe, so I can't definitively say whether an organization like EuroScience exists in Japan today.

That said, if a similar organization were to be established in Japan, now would be an excellent time. As far as I know, Japan encourages further collaboration and discussion in research and science policy. When setting up an organization, I recommend bringing together people from various departments and specialties. Given Japan's emphasis on collaboration, it should be easier to achieve diversity.

If asked whether it would be beneficial to establish an organization in Japan focused on researchers and scientific progress, the answer is a resounding yes! However, it's not easy to achieve. There's no magic formula for starting a grassroots membership organization, defining its vision and mission, and fostering connections while increasing membership. You must clearly define what you want to achieve and focus on achieving your goals. The size of the organization doesn't matter. What's most important is focusing on your mission and the quality of your contributions to scientists and society.

A key point to consider when establishing an organization like EuroScience in Japan or other countries is the issue of belonging. To encourage participation, it's best to translate the concept of belonging into something more concrete. With various social networks and platforms available today, a simple membership system is insufficient. It's not enough to just list names as members; something more tangible, proactive, and essential must be added. In other words, you need to consider attractive elements that will make scientists want to participate in the organization and engage in meaningful discussions and interactions.

Many Japanese researchers I've met seem to feel that organizations like AAAS and EuroScience are necessary in Japan. However, actually establishing such organizations presents a significant hurdle. How did EuroScience overcome this obstacle?

I wasn't involved in EuroScience 's founding , so I can only answer based on what I've heard from people who were involved in its establishment in 1997. The scientific landscape, publishing trends, and scientific practices at that time were completely different from what they are today. First, European countries were more closely interconnected than they are now. Looking back at historical events, after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 , Central and Western Europe became more interconnected, and the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 led to the creation of the euro, which became the major currency of Europe. In short, there was a sense of growth in Europe at the time, and something needed to be done to confirm it. It was necessary to confirm that science and the actions of scientists, in addition to politics and economics, could be a powerful driving force for the European Union.

I've heard from EuroScience 's predecessors that this was a major motivation. Because science is inherently international, they wanted to create a European-wide organization to demonstrate European values ​​and how science can contribute to the European Union. They were convinced that breaking down borders was crucial for European integration, and that science could contribute to that goal. This was the vision of EuroScience in 1997 , when a small group of passionate and dedicated people launched it . There's no doubt that the "big ambition, small start" approach was key to its success. EuroScience reached a turning point in 2004 when it hosted the first ESOF conference in Stockholm . This conference became Europe's largest interdisciplinary scientific conference, focusing not only on science and society, but also on the role of science and scientists in Europe. More than 15 years later, ESOF continues to grow, providing wonderful opportunities for dialogue in the shared domain of science, scientists, and society.

That concludes the first half of the interview. Stay tuned for the second half!