Programme
9.00 – 10.00:
Registration
10.15 – 10.45:
- Welcome by dr. ir. Elisabeth Monard,
secretary general FWO - Introduction by prof. dr. Paul Van Cauwenberge, president FWO
- 80 years FWO by prof. dr. Herman Balthazar
- Official Opening of the exposition 80 years FWO
11.00 – 13.00:
Seven thematic sessions (part 1):
- Bibliometrics
- Research Careers
- Popularisation of science
- Big Science
- International Mobility
- Financing International Programmes
- Science and Industry
13.00 – 14.00:
Lunch offered by FWO
14.00 – 16.00:
Thematic sessions (part 2)
16.15 – 16.30:
Speech by Patricia Ceysens, Flemish Minister of Economy, Enterprises, Innovation, Science and Foreign Trade.
16.30 – 17.15:
Science and fiction of quantum computers, by prof. dr. Carlo Beenakker, Full professor, chair of theoretical physics, Leiden University, The Netherlands
17.15 – 17.30:
Closing by prof. dr. Paul Van Cauwenberge, president FWO
17.30 – 20.00:
Reception offered by FWO
Partners
Seven thematic sessions
Session No 1: Bibliometrics
“To measure is to know”. Is it possible to express the output of a researcher in one or several figures? Is it possible to judge and classify researchers on this basis? This session further examines the bibliometric analysis which is praised or loathed by many but known in detail by only a few. Wolfgang Glänzel and Koenraad Debackere, experts of the Policy Research Centre for R&D Indicators, together with other international experts go deeper into different aspects of bibliometric analysis as well as the sense and nonsense of its use in various applications.
Session No 2: Research Careers
What are the assets Flanders holds for those who wish to develop a research career? How do the Flemish Universities meet the European Charter for Researchers? And what if we confront this with international trends? Prof. Dr. Jan De Groof introduces two speakers who analyse this further. After that there is a panel discussion on the rights and duties of researchers. Each time a relation is made with the various arguments advanced on all the various levels (Flemish, Belgian, European,...).
Session No 3: Popularisation of science
The clash between scientists and journalists is the inevitable consequence of the clash between two worlds. However, popularisation is important both for scientists and science in general. By accepting the dialogue with a broader audience the researcher will partly remove the uncertainty, the fear as well as excessive expectations towards science. During a debate and a panel discussion conducted by the Department For Economy, Science and Innovation the significance and the traps of popularisation are made clear to the researches.
Session No 4: Big Science
The major international research facilities appeal to every scientist’s imagination. The four different presentations of this session illustrate which type of research is necessary to discover the fundamental principles of the cosmos and of life. All subjects ranging from giant particle accelerators, telescopes and Antarctic research are dealt with. Pieter Van Dooren is the science anchor.
Session No 5: International Mobility
“If you think mobility is too expensive, try immobilism” [Albert Einstein]. International mobility plays an increasingly important part in the development of a scientific career. In the course of this session the testimonies of Flemish and non-Flemish researchers are used to analyse the considerable added value of international mobility but also the practical problems confronted by the researcher when moving abroad or when a foreigner wants to come to Flanders. A panel discussion further illustrates the pros and cons of international mobility. Science journalist Guy Tegenbos will be the moderator during this session.
Session No 6: Financing International Programmes
This session deals with the numerous possibilities available to researchers to finance their research within an international context. Representatives of the leading (European) financing channels (ESF, ERC, EU, BAEF, VLIR-UOS, etc.) will illustrate their programmes. This session is conducted by science journalist Jan Van Pelt.
Session No 7: Science and Industry
When dealing with industrial research we immediately associated this with application-oriented research. However, fundamental scientific research constitutes the first link in the innovation chain. The importance of fundamental scientific research as a guarantee for the preservation of economic growth and innovation constitutes a core issue of this session. A panel discussion will be held after a number of presentations delivered by industrial heavyweights. The Alcatel-Lucent and Atlas Copco Scientific Awards will be presented at the end of this session.