SPHERA Webinar: Defending Science, Knowledge, and Public Interest Against Political Suppression (22 May 2025)

The first few months of 2025 have been marked by a long series of policy decisions that have direct consequences for the scientific community, both in the US and worldwide. Some of these measures have directly impacted key institutions that are critical to the international research ecosystem—by funding science, issuing guidance, and producing or preserving data archives of global importance.

Rising concerns are emerging around the erosion of scientific independence and the undermining of environmental and public health initiatives. Scientific research is being increasingly censored, disregarded, or selectively interpreted leading to exacerbations in global inequalities and weakening evidence-based decision-making.

This webinar, promoted by the SPHERA Consortium—an alliance of leading research institutions across the EU—, aims to address these attacks on science, discuss their roots, and suggest a line of action to take a firm stand to protect scientific freedom and advocate for evidence-based policies.

Moderator:

• Manolis Kogevinas, ISGlobal. Rationale and introduction.

Speakers:

• Francesco Barone-Adesi, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara-Italy. The first four months months of attacks on science.
• Beate Ritz, UCLA School of Public Health. Silencing academic voices.
• Michelle Turner, ISGlobal. Navigating environmental epidemiology in 2025.
• Paolo Vineis, Imperial College London. The ideological roots of the attack on science.

Duration:

• Each presentation: 15’
• Followed by 30’ general discussion. The discussion will be open to contributions from the audience, including asking questions and sharing experiences.
• Total duration: 1.5 hours

REGISTER NOW

Don't miss the opportunity to register for this impactful event, to defend the integrity of science.

We look forward to seeing you on 22 May!

Hosted by:

ISGlobal and the SPHERA Consortium