Global Symposium on Scientific Breakthroughs. Education and Science /Technology Policy for Creating Scientific Breakthroughs Presenter: Mr. Hakubun Shimomura,

Global Symposium on Scientific Breakthroughs

Education and Science /Technology Policy for Creating Scientific Breakthroughs Presenter: Mr. Hakubun Shimomura, Minister of Education, Sports, Culture, Science and Technology

•Scientific breakthroughs key for Japan’s continued growth and global contribution•World’s most innovation-friendly country•Continuous support from earliest stage of research•Focus on genuine innovation rather than short-term results

Novel Approaches to Breakthrough ResearchPresenter: Dr. France Córdova, Director, National Science Foundation

•Basic research at the root of technologies that support our daily lives•Accelerating pace of translation and commercialization of technology•Different funding schemes for different needs

Supporting Excellence with Impact – the European ExperiencePresenter: Prof. Paul Boyle, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Leicester

•Science more important than ever, but science funding under threat and hotly debated•How do we measure its value and communicate that information appropriately?•Not all research impact is technological

Magical Power of Transition Metals: Past, Present, and FuturePresenter: Prof. Ei-ichi Negishi H. C. Brown Distinguished Professor, Purdue University (2010 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry)

•ABCs of research: Ambitious, Broad & Basic, Creative•Nobel-Prize-winning cross-coupling concept first inspired by Legos

The Eureka Moments in SciencePresenter: Dr. Erling Norrby, Royal Swedish Academy of Science

•Some tremendous breakthrough discoveries take time to be assimilated by the scientific community•Largest conundrums: origin of the universe, origin of life, origin of consciousness•Conditions for a Eureka moment: important problem, advancing technologies, obsession, serendipity

Panel Discussion:Moderator: Dr. Yuichiro Anzai, President, Japan Society for the Promotion of SciencePanelists: Dr. France Córdova, Director, National Science FoundationProf. Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, President, European Research Council Dr. Peter Strohschneider, President, German Research Foundation Dr. Michiharu Nakamura President, Japan Science and Technology AgencyMr. Yutaka Tokiwa, Director-General, Research Promotion Bureau, MEXT

Theme 1: Research with a high potential for scientific breakthrough• All areas of science and engineering have potential for breakthroughs• Driven by people; new technologies and facilities• Research requires stable and autonomous environments

Theme 2: Ensuring investment in research and accountability to stakeholders•Balance – basic/applied research, open/targeted research, academic/societal & economic impact; priorities driven by bottom-up/top-down/steering•More effective communication of research benefits to public and policymakers, using all available means•Inclusion of the younger generation as science ambassadors who ‘learn by doing’

Theme 3: Building global research networks to accelerate breakthroughs•Scientific truth is the same across national boundaries, but funding policies and culture vary•International funding agencies must break down these barriers•Many opportunities for global collaboration – disaster response, data-driven research, large facilities, etc.•Overseas hubs by funding agencies can facilitate promoting international collaboration and exchange of researchers •Funding agencies responsible for efficient and smooth transfer and exchange of researchers