Keynote Lectures
Keynote 1: Unconscious bias in academia
Gerlind Wallon, PhD Deputy Director Programme Head EMBO Young Investigator Network
Everybody holds unconscious biases, they have evolved as a means to sift quickly through the large amounts of information that the brain constantly receives. Daniel Kahnemann has postulated that the human brain has developed two modes of thinking: fast and slow. There are many situations in human life where fast thinking and decision making is of the essence. But these decisions may often be flawed, because they are based on stereotypes that we have developed in our life time. I will talk about unconscious bias as social stereotypes that often lead to unfair decisions, also in academia, despite our thorough training in reasoned thinking. Our own unconscious biases effect the ways of thinking about ourselves and others and the decisions that we make. Can the effects of unconscious bias at least be mitigated?
Keynote 2: AI in Science: Paradigm shift or a lot more of the same?
Dr. Susanne Beck, Assistant Professor in the Information Systems Management & Analytics Group at Warwick Business School
In the dynamic field of scientific inquiry, technological advancements continuously reshape the production of scientific knowledge. But while the incorporation of advanced technologies into scientific practices and methods is common, generative AI (GenAI) sparks heated discussions about its disruptive potential for science. This talk explores the impact of AI on science across two critical dimensions: Firstly, using AI in science promises to increase productivity and reduce the costs of producing formally correct scientific knowledge. However, this may also lead to the production of trivial or possibly irrelevant scientific knowledge. Secondly, on a societal level, GenAI may facilitate distant scientific collaboration, such as across various fields, increasing the relevance and impact of research by enabling the participation of knowledge actors with more diverse perspectives. Distinguishing these seemingly divergent trajectories of AI’s impact on science and reflecting upon the underlying mechanisms offer starting points to critically discuss requirements for the future organization of scientific knowledge production in the face of AI.
https://www.wbs.ac.uk/about/person/susanne-beck/
Keynote 3: The importance of supervision for researchers
Bodo Richter, Deputy Head of Unit – MSCA Doctoral Networks, European Research Executive Agency (REA), Brussels
As the EU’s flagship programme for the mobility and training of researchers, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) promote effective supervision, mentoring and appropriate career guidance. Long-term investment in people pays off, as indicated inter alia by the number of Nobel Prize laureates who have been either former MSCA fellows or supervisors.
Consequently, the MSCA emphasises effective supervision as a means to create a supportive environment for researchers to conduct their work. In line with the principles set out in the Charter & Code for Researchers, MSCA beneficiaries must ensure adequately supervision or mentoring and appropriate career guidance. Supervision is one of the crucial elements of successful research. Guiding, supporting, directing, advising and mentoring, in particular from the very outset, are key factors for researchers to pursue their career paths. In this context, all MSCA-funded projects are encouraged to follow the recommendations outlined in the MSCA Guidelines on Supervision.
In his talk, Bodo will present these guidelines, touching upon the roles of the supervisor, the researchers themselves and the institution, both when it comes to their rights, but also their obligations. He will give some concrete examples from MSCA-supported projects and discuss with the audience ideas to further strengthen supervision for the benefit of both the researcher and the institution.