Bold ideas and critical thoughts on science.

COVID-19

The COVID 19 pandemic poses an unprecedented challenge to science and higher education. Scientists are working hard on solutions to highly complex problems. They are working flat out on finding cures and vaccines. They must assess the consequences of the pandemic for society. They have to advise politicians and provide information to a highly agitated public. And all of this within a climate of extreme uncertainty.
 

What is your take on Covid-19? We welcome contributions on this topic.

Communicating Science in Covid Times

Communicating Science in Covid Times

Stefanie Molthagen-Schnöring on science communication in times of a global pandemic and why communication with “the public” shouldn ´ t be its goal

Science Without a Question

Science Without a Question

Fabian Stephany on the CoRisk-Index, its development during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of implicit theory

The Great Update of Research

The Great Update of Research

Our editor, Benedikt Fecher on research in post-COVID-19 times and the prospective falsificationist rationale

Suddenly famous: a virus and the media

Suddenly famous: a virus and the media

Science journalists find experts, deal with new developments intensively, do fact-checking, analyse data and communicate knowledge to the public. All of this has been important in the past weeks and may lead to a difference in the future, says our author Juliane Meißner.

The Science Must Go On

The Science Must Go On

In this opinion-piece Katharina C. Cramer discusses the impact of the Corona-Crisis on large scale research infrastructures and their limits of performance in the current situation.

Higher Education in Crisis Times

Higher Education in Crisis Times

In this interview with Teresa Völker, Prof. Villa talks about the initiative “Nicht-Semster” (calling for a cancellation of the regular spring semester during the Corona crisis) and how the crisis impacts the infrastructure of the german higher education system. 

Not back to normal

Not back to normal

After his interview with Elephant in the Lab on 22 March 2020, Wander Jager develops his thoughts on the time after the COVID-19 pandemic

Social control systems and Covid-19

Social control systems and Covid-19

Dispite the cruelty of the current situation, Agata Komendant-Brodowska calls for a more optimistic view on the side effects of the COVID-19 crisis.

Open Access in Near Time

Open Access in Near Time

The rise of Open Access publications during the Covid-19 pandemic – a living article and dashboard