” Science is,first and foremost, about people -not only technological advancements. It’s about “connecting the dots”, and allowing people from different walks of life and academic backgrounds to meet and to exchange ideas within a framework free from by top-down requirements. This helps people and ideas to grow”, he added.
The 2017 edition of Rencontres, recherche et Création, organised by the French National Research Agency was held under the patronage of Carlos Moedas, EU Commissioner for Research and Innovation. The conference is part of the Avignon theatre festival and brings together researchers from various disciplines like cognitive neurosciences, anthropology, history, political science, sociology, history, philosophy, literary studies, and theatre practitioners. They engage in high-level discussions that welcome interdisciplinary perspectives on society and the human being.
Dr De Bruin spoke during the morning session closing, alongside Louis Schweitzer, President of the Avignon theatre festival, Olivier Py, Director of the festival and Michael Matlosz, Director General of the French National Research Agency.
He also highlighted how the COST programme particularly encourages interdisciplinary endeavours and strives to provide a platform helping the research community to define its research priorities. At the same time, this platform is open for other stakeholders to participate: the civil society, policy makers and industry representatives.
” In COST, social sciences and humanities are of paramount importance; they are not only networks exploring issues traditionally relevant for the disciplines themselves, but they also work hand in hand with “hard sciences”, such as neurosciences, information and communication technologies, material sciences, etc. Their critical stance, their human-centric approach, their “being rooted in society” are crucial to stirring and challenging scientific debate”, Dr De Bruin commented.
COST has already participated in two previous editions. Several researchers from COST Actions have participated to the debates with other vibrant researchers, theatre directors and practitioners, in order to deepen our understanding of the challenges faced by contemporary societies.
As part of the “Dignity and heroism” session, COST will be represented by Professor Sabrina Corbellini, Chair of COST Action IS1301 (New Communities of Interpretation: Contexts, Strategies and Processes of Religious Transformation in Late Medieval and Early Modern Europe). Dr Corbellini will be presenting on the topic of Dignity and spirituality in the medieval city.
For more information on the event, the programme is now available.