TRUEDEM at ESOF 2024: Advancing the Discussion on Trust in Science and Institutions
From June 12–15, 2024, the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF 2024) took place in Katowice as part of the European City of Science initiative. This prestigious international conference, themed Life Changes Science, brought together researchers, policymakers, and experts from various fields to discuss the evolving role of science in society. TRUEDEM scholars played a key role in these discussions, contributing valuable insights on trust in science and institutions, academic career development, and the determinants of institutional trust.
On the first day, Natalia Galica led the panel “Trustworthiness of Science and Trust in Science”, which explored the relationship between public trust in scientific knowledge and the credibility of research institutions. The panel featured Prof. Agnieszka Turska-Kawa (University of Silesia), Prof. Natalia Letki (University of Warsaw), Prof. Michał Kotnarowski (Polish Academy of Sciences), and Prof. Christian Welzel (Leuphana University of Lüneburg). Their discussion highlighted the growing challenges of misinformation, the politicization of scientific findings, and the need for greater transparency and public engagement to strengthen trust in research.
On the second day, Prof. Agnieszka Turska-Kawa led the panel “Career Crafting in Science: Looking for Prospective Paths”, which focused on academic mobility, networking, and career development in research. Panelists included Dr. Eliza Gagatsi (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships Programme), Dr. Alicja Santos (Polonium Foundation), Aleksandra Lewandowska (National Representation of Doctoral Students), Prof. Andrzej Swinarew (University of Silesia), and Dario Capezzuto (European Commission, DG Research and Innovation). The session provided practical insights into career trajectories for early-career researchers, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration, funding opportunities, and policy support.
On the third day, Prof. Kornelia Batko from the Polish TRUEDEM team led the panel “Determinants of Institutional Trust: Shaping the Future of Poland, Europe, and the World”. This discussion, featuring Prof. Damian Guzek, Prof. Dawid Tatarczyk, Emilie Szwajnoch, and Natalia Galica, examined the key drivers of public trust in institutions and their implications for democracy. The panelists explored how institutional trust evolves in different political and cultural contexts, the role of media in shaping public perceptions, and the challenges of governance in an era of political polarization.
The participation of TRUEDEM scholars at ESOF 2024 reinforced the project's mission to deepen understanding of political and institutional trust, bridging academic research with policy discussions. Their contributions helped highlight critical issues in science communication, trust-building in governance, and the future of academic careers, making ESOF 2024 a valuable forum for interdisciplinary dialogue.