Science and technology are the most powerful instruments for social and economic progress but their full potential can only be realised if industry and academia work together more closely. Scientists have a responsibility to do this. In terms of making further scientific advances, a multidisciplinary approach, including greater interaction between natural and engineering scientists and human research, is essential in Europe. As an organisation representing all scientific disciplines, the ESF is well-placed to assist here. It could also play an important role in facilitating further cooperation between academia and industry, possibly by using its networking expertise to bring together the two parties to discuss significant advances in fundamental research and probable applications.
European industry is much more receptive to science than commonly believed.
However, for this to work successfully in a social sense, there needs to be a greater ethical awareness amongst scientists of the possible dangers of their research being misapplied. This doesn't mean we should stop certain avenues of research because they could have dangerous practical consequences, but we should control their direction and keep them very well guarded. This is as much a social responsibility as working more closely with industry. In our quest for new applications, though, we should not lose sight of the value of 'blue skies' research. There should always be funds available for brilliant scientists to carry out this type of work.