Blogs

The Eye on Earth summit is in progress in Abu Dhabi - discussing issues of information, data and access for the Rio+20 summit in 2012.

IPBES, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, has produced the report of its first plenary: emphasis on governance and organisation.

Human Development Report 2011 just published by UNDP - emphasis on sustainability and equity.

An earlier post referred to the report and written evidence of the inquiry by the UK Parliament's Commons Science and Technology Committee into the peer review system.  This has now been joined by a response from the UK government and research councils. Interesting points of discussion: reference to various ongoing initiatives and responsibilities, and to the Research Integrity Concordat mentioned in the earlier post.

Science Europe, the successor to EuroHorcs (heads of research councils) has been launched.  The idea is to bring together research funders and research performers in one focus. Vision statement: "Science Europe is the recognised representative of the predominant national research funding and performing organisations in Europe. It works and partners with other entities such as the European Universities, the European Academies, the European Scientific Intergovernmental Organisations and the European  Commission to develop a coherent and inclusive European Research Area. In its structures and actions it ensures that it takes into consideration the interests and opinions of researchers in all European research systems."