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This study explores the design of future Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation (R&I) in the European Union. Employing a foresight methodology – comprising a literature review, case studies, scenarios and foresight workshops with stakeholders – the study examines prevailing discourses on Framework Programme structures, identifies key R&I trends, and analyses the challenges posed by current developments. It presents a set of hypothetical programme structures alongside policy recommendations ...

This study addresses the interplay between the health and socio-demographic conditions characterising the EU's ageing population, focused on populations at risk of social inequality, to provide information that policymakers can use to promote healthy ageing. The goal of the study is to compare trends in healthy life years across both populations (countries) and specific populations (by gender and level of education), and to address the social inequalities associated with healthy ageing so that we ...

This report examines the emerging field of exposomics, which studies the cumulative impact of environmental exposures on human health. It highlights the limitations of established environmental health research and advocates a more comprehensive approach. The report explores exposomics' application in various sectors, including urban planning, chemical safety, climate adaptation, child health, workplace safety, clinical practice, and citizen empowerment. It emphasises the need for improved exposure ...

This study aims to offer an in-depth analysis of water scarcity, availability, and usage in the face of climate change. By employing a comprehensive foresight methodology that includes an extensive literature review, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and broad stakeholder consultation, the research provides a detailed overview of current water availability and consumption within the European Union (EU). It highlights the current and projected trends related to water resources, identifying ...

Academic freedom is widely recognised as a fundamental value of contemporary higher education and science, and as a prerequisite for well-functioning democratic societies. However, in recent years, major concerns have been expressed by various stakeholders about the state of academic freedom in the European Union. The European Parliament launched an annual EP Academic Freedom Monitor in 2022, to help improve the promotion and protection of academic freedom in the European Union. This report presents ...

Academic freedom is widely recognised as a fundamental value of contemporary higher education and research, and is often presented as a prerequisite for well-functioning democratic societies. However, in recent years, major concerns have been expressed by various stakeholders about the state of academic freedom in the European Union. The European Parliament launched an annual EP Academic Freedom Monitor in 2022, to help improve the promotion and protection of academic freedom in the European Union ...

New methods are now available for processing mined metal ores that produce essentially no pollution compared to existing techniques. The large-scale development of these methods would allow EU mines to reopen, greatly contributing to EU sovereignty targets while lowering carbon emissions. Demonstrations of these technologies in Europe already exist at industrial scale, and current regulatory frameworks could be adapted to accommodate and promote their use. With the rollout of carbon pricing on imports ...

Space technologies are playing an increasingly critical role in communications, defence and research. As more satellites are launched, there is a growing risk of collision, and of satellites becoming military targets. Satellite-debris collisions have the potential to destroy not just one or two but many satellites, preventing the use of those orbits for years. Although de-orbiting satellites at a faster pace may be a solution, orbital debris falling back to Earth can cause environmental harm. Europe ...

The 2024 edition of the European Parliament's Academic Freedom Monitor consists of two studies, to be published shortly, with joint key findings and policy options that are summarised in this briefing. The first study, 'Analysis of the state of de facto academic freedom in the EU', examines various measurements of academic freedom across the EU Member States. It also analyses the main threats to academic freedom and their impacts in 10 Member States through a qualitative data analysis, with input ...

Europe could gain competitive edge by supporting the development of new hardware for artificial intelligence (AI). Current state-of-the-art hardware is not optimised for machine learning, and both academic and private sector research is already leading to new designs. At the same time, the need for more time- and energy-efficient machine-learning hardware is increasing as more consumers and companies want access to machine-learning applications. The European Union (EU) has the opportunity to leverage ...