France Invests in Science-Society Dialog to Combat Disinformation and Boost Public Trust
Table of Contents
A new initiative from the French National Research Agency (ANR) aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and the public,with a particular focus on countering the spread of misinformation and bolstering trust in science. The program,formally assessed on October 17th at a conference held at the Palais du Luxembourg,represents a significant shift towards making scientific endeavors a more collaborative and accessible undertaking.
The conference, attended by nearly 180 researchers, policymakers, and representatives from various associations, showcased the results of 10 projects funded under the ANR’s “Science with and for society” program. The event underscored a growing recognition of the critical need to strengthen the relationship between science and society, notably in an era marked by increasing societal upheaval and the proliferation of false data.
New Priorities for the ANR
During the opening remarks, a senior official announced two key priorities for the ANR moving forward. The first is to leverage science in support of public policies and local territories,with plans to launch a new call for “SAPS” projects – initiatives focused on the co-construction of public policies through scientific expertise. The second priority centers on actively combating disinformation, recognizing it as a multifaceted challenge with scientific, educational, and democratic implications.
“At a time of great societal upheavals, the loss of rationality in our societies, the questioning of the legitimacy of science, the loss of credibility of scientific speech, the proliferation of false information and the exponential development of artificial intelligence, the strengthening of links between science and society is an absolute emergency,” emphasized a leading senator during the conference.
Another speaker highlighted the fundamental importance of distinguishing between scientific fact and opinion, stating, “The attacks are not only attacks on science, they are attacks on rationality, and today we need to understand the scientific approach to explain that a scientific fact is not an opinion.What is at stake is the status of science and the status of the researcher.”
Reimagining the Relationship Between Research and Citizens
Claire giry, President and CEO of the ANR, underscored the agency’s evolving mission. “Since 2021, thanks to the Research Programming Law, the ANR’s missions have been enriched with a new dimension: rethinking, reinventing the relationships between research and citizens, making science a collective adventure, shared with as many people as possible.” This commitment is reflected in the agency’s dedication to fostering a more inclusive and participatory approach to scientific research.
The ANR’s “Science with and for society” program, established in accordance with the Research Programming law (LPR), allocates 1% of its intervention budget to initiatives designed to strengthen dialogue between science and society. Since its inception in 2021, the program has financed 123 projects through five thematic calls for projects, categorized as “Research-Action.” The goal is to promote a shared scientific culture, involve a broader range of individuals in research, and ensure science has a prominent role in public discourse.
The first assessment report of the ANR SAPS program details the program’s structure, key figures, and highlights 16 projects spanning “Scientific mediation and communication,” “Participatory research,” and “innovative ambitions.” .
This renewed focus on science-society dialogue signals
