The ISEED Final Conference marked the culmination of the Inclusive Science and European Democracies (ISEED) project, a groundbreaking international research initiative funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (2021–2024). The event took place in Brussels from June 11 to June 12, 2024 and brought together policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to explore strategies for strengthening citizen engagement in science and democracy.
Coordinated by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, ISEED united experts from Italy, France, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Bulgaria, Uruguay, and the United Kingdom. Over three years, the project examined the potential of citizen science to foster inclusive, knowledge-based democratic deliberation.
Highlights of the Conference
- National Workshops Insights: Findings from workshops held in Bulgaria, Poland, Italy, Spain, France, and Uruguay, where citizens, policymakers, and experts collaboratively developed recommendations for enhancing participation in democratic processes at local, national, and EU levels.
- Key Report Launch: Presentation of the report “Recommendations and Scenarios for the Possible Futures of Democracy”, prepared by ARC Fund, consolidating the project’s research and engagement outcomes.
- Tool Demonstration: Introduction of a computational tool developed by ISEED to analyze argumentation styles in traditional and digital media, focusing on the interplay of emotion and reason in polarized debates.
The conference served as a platform to celebrate the project’s achievements, while facilitating dialogue on practical applications of its findings. Participants explored innovative strategies to bridge the gap between science, democracy, and citizen engagement, ensuring the relevance of ISEED’s legacy in shaping inclusive democracies.
For more details about the ISEED project, visit: https://iseedeurope.eu