Watch Recording: Expert Workshop on Current Challenges for ILSA

Last January, the ALLEA Science Education Working Group organised an expert workshop on current challenges for international large-scale studies of achievement (ILSA). Chaired by WG member Maksym Halchenko of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, the meeting addressed the role of ILSAs as well as current and emerging challenges related to these studies.

A dedicated introduction to PISA (Programme for International Assessment) was presented, and participants discussed examples of assessment discrepancies when applied to heterogenous countries where school systems are very different.  This webinar was recorded and is now available to the wider public.

  • Introductory Remarks | Watch
    – Meeting chair Dr. Maksym Halchenko, National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine
  • The impact of PISA on the development of educational research and evidence-based decision-making | Read abstract | Watch
    – Prof. Benő Csapó, Professor of Education, University of Szeged, Hungary
  • Circulation of a mediated artefact. Questioning the consequences of PISA for education – the example of Poland | Read abstract | Watch
    – Dr. Piotr Zamojski, Assistant Professor, University of Gdańsk, Poland
  • Use and misuse of international large-scale assessments: Why it matters to science education and policy | Read abstract | Watch
    – Dr. David Rutkowski, Associate Professor with a joint appointment in Educational Policy and Educational Inquiry, Indiana University, USA;
    – Dr. Leslie A. Rutkowski, Associate Professor of Inquiry Methodology, Counselling and Educational Psychology, Indiana University, USA, Professor of Educational Measurement, University of Oslo, Norway
  • Education as a global race – or for democracy and solidarity? The side effects of PISA testing | Read abstract| Watch
    – Prof. Svein Sjøberg, Professor Emeritus in Science Education, Oslo University, Norway
  • Plenary discussion  | Watch

The ALLEA Science Education Working Group is committed to supporting the further progression of science education throughout Europe to ensure students develop the necessary knowledge, skills and motivation to participate as active citizens and to pursue careers in science. Since June 2019, the group is chaired by Dr Cliona Murphy of the Royal Irish Academy.

Webinar on Research Integrity

PERITIA Public Lectures: [Un]Truths, Trust in an Age of Disinformation

PERITIA – Policy, Expertise and Trust – is launching a series of public lectures from 6 April to 1 June 2021. Around the topic of [Un]Truths: Trust in an Age of Disinformation’, these five meetings will explore the concept of trust and truth, both becoming contentious topics for science and democracy. Conspiracy theories disrupt political elections, disinformation campaigns target scientific consensus around climate change and vaccines, and anti-elite populism overshadows public debates. In the midst of a pandemic, citizens find themselves asking quintessential philosophical questionswhat truth is, whom we can trust, or how we should trust. 

Hosted by the UCD Centre for Ethics in Public Life and the American University of Armenia, the lectures are open to all upon registration via Zoom and moderated by science communicator Shane Bergin. The first part of this online series runs every second Tuesday, from April to June 2021. Participants are invited to join an interactive Q&A debate after each lecture. Registration is free.

  • Lecture 1: Trust in Science

    6 April 2021, 17:00 CEST
    Naomi Oreskes, Harvard University

  • Lecture 2: Misunderstanding Conspiracy Theories

    20 April 2021, 17:00 CEST
    Quassim Cassam, Warwick University

  • Lecture 3: The Democratic Value of Truth

    4 May 2021, 17:00 CEST
    Michael Lynch, University of Connecticut

  • Lecture 4: Trustworthy Science Advice

    18 May 2021, 17:00 CEST
    Heather Douglas, Michigan State University

  • Lecture 5: Trust vs. Argument

    1 June 2021, 17:00 CEST
    Dan Sperber, Institut Jean Nicod

Read more and register here

PERITIA Online Discussion: Creating a Climate of Trust

How can scientists and science communicators (re-)establish trust in trustworthy science in a changing media environment? As part of the international conference SCI:COM, PERITIA experts will discuss the different strategies used to tackle COVID-19 and their impact on trust in science communication under the motto “Creating a Climate of Trust in Science”.

Expert Workshop: ‘Evaluating Policies and Interventions to Reduce Health Inequalities: An Interdisciplinary Dialogue’

Initiated by the ALLEA-FEAM-KNAW Scientific Committee on Health Inequalities and for the third in a row, this expert workshop will aim at assessing available empirical and analytical methods to evaluate the impact of policies and interventions on socioeconomic inequalities in health.