The annual conference of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) kicks off in Brussels, Belgium, tomorrow (26 September).

The one-day event takes ‘EU for facts: evidence for policy in a post-fact world’ as its theme, and will see leading experts from the world of science, media and policy come together to discuss trust in science and the need to re-design policymaking using behavioural and decision science.

“Just like Gutenberg’s printing press, social media has enabled a paradigm shift in communication, wresting control from traditional information ‘gatekeepers’,” said Education Commissioner Tibor Navracsics, responsible for the JRC, ahead of the conference.

“In policymaking, values and emotions have always had an important place alongside evidence and facts, but the lines have become increasingly blurred.

“The JRC is working with scientists, politicians, the media and citizens to develop new thinking and new narratives, finding a better balance between facts and values in the political discourse.”

European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen and Science and Innovation Commissioner Carlos Moedas are both due to address the conference.

Other speakers include Pascal Lamy (former director general of the World Trade Organization), Sir Peter Gluckman (chair of the International Network for Science Advice to Governments), and Rush Holt (CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science).

The conference is the highlight of the JRC’s 60th anniversary celebrations and will be streamed online here between 08:50 and 18:00 CEST.

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