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The PCB opens its third annual series on “Science in Debate”

By 28 de February de 2008November 18th, 2020No Comments
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 28.02.2008

The PCB opens its third annual series on “Science in Debate”

In March, the Barcelona Science Park (PCB) kicks off another series of scientific debates entitled "Science in Debate at the PCB". Admission is free of charge and the aim of the debates will be to stimulate discussion about the new paths being opened by multidisciplinary research today. This year marks the third edition of the series, which will be conducted in three different sessions. The scheduled dates are 4 March, 10 April and 12 June, and each event will begin at 6 pm in the Fèlix Serratosa Conference Room at number 10, Baldiri Reixac Street in Barcelona. The subjects to be addressed are scientific fraud, biofuels and the future of energy, and the role of experts in political decision-making.

The debates are aimed at a scientific public, including students in the life sciences, researchers, and anyone else who may take an interest in science and its ethical, legal and social implications. The purpose is to offer a meeting place for the exchange of opinions, encouraging both the presentation of a wide variety of viewpoints and the participation of the public, who will be able to attend by prior booking. As in previous years, the plan is to galvanise discussion by means of computer software that will enable the audience to take part actively. At the end of each event, attendees will be able to carry on talking with the speakers more informally in another room, where light refreshments will be served.

The opening debate, entitled “Scientific Fraud in the Era of Photoshop”, will be held on 4 March under the moderation of Miriam Royo, head of the Combinatorial Chemistry Unit at the PCB. The participating speakers will be: David Bueno, Professor of Genetics at the University of Barcelona; Albert Gras Martí, professor of Applied Physics at the University of Alicante; and Pablo García de Frutos, member of the editorial board of the journal “Thrombosis and Haemostasis”.

The debate on 10 April, entitled “Biofuels and the Future of Energy”, will be moderated by Manel Ebri, head of the Catalan Biodiesel Association. Speakers will include: Antonio Vallespir, Executive Vice-president of Bioethanol (Abengoa Group); David Caparrós, researcher with the CSIC-IRTA, the Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology; and Joan Salvadó Rovira, professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Rovira i Virgili University.

The final debate, entitled “The Role of Science in Political Decision-making”, will be held on 12 June under the moderation of Rosina Malagrida, head of the PCB’s Communication and Scientific Diffusion Area. Speakers are to include: Joan Comella, Director General of the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation (FCRI); Jaume Padrós, Secretary of the Barcelona Medical Association; and Melanie Smallman, Managing Director of Think-Lab in the United Kingdom.

Advanced booking is required either through the website www.pcb.ub.cat/debatsciencia or by calling 93 403 45 18.

For more information: direcciocientifica@pcb.ub.cat