Current Forward Looks in Social Sciences
Ageing, Health and Pensions in Europe
The ageing of populations is one of the main secular developments shaping the 21st century. Ageing will fundamentally affect individuals as well as the European welfare states. Globalisation and population ageing now exert large pressures on our welfare states, necessitating reform of pension and health care systems. This will impact European labour markets as well as the health and well-being of European citizens. [more]
This project is a joint activity between the Medical Sciences (EMRC) and Social Sciences (SCSS). It is managed by SCSS.
Religion and Belief Systems
Events in history and today show vividly that religion remains one of the strongest forces in human affairs. Religions and belief systems constitute both stabilising and destabilising forces, serving as both cause for violence and source of reconciliation. Entire, crucially important areas of intersections of religions and other sectors of society – law, education – are lacking appropriate research strategies. This project aims to address these lacunae. [more]
This project is a joint activity between the Humanities (SCH) and Social Sciences (SCSS). It is managed by SCH.
Security: Advancing a Framework for Enquiry
This Forward Look will develop new perspectives for integrated research, to inform long-term understandings of models of security, of contingent cognitive, cultural, ideological and legal frameworks, and of relevant management issues. The objective is to address scientifically complex issues such as critical thresholds and systemic imbalances. [more]
This project is a joint activity between the Humanities (SCH) and Social Sciences (SCSS). It is managed by SCH.
Higher Education in Europe Beyond 2010
Resolving Conflicting Social and Economic Expectations
Higher education institutions are being subjected to a variety of pressures that seek, primarily, to enhance higher education’s contribution to the successful creation of so-called ‘knowledge societies’, together with, and receiving only slightly less emphasis, the achievement of greater equity and social justice. [more]
This project is a joint activity between the Humanities (SCH) and Social Sciences (SCSS). It is managed by SCSS.
European Food Systems in a Changing World
Food security is a primary societal goal in which food systems play a pivotal role. European food systems are changing, driven by complex technological and policy factors including CAP reform. These changes will affect the interactions between food availability, food access and food utilisation in uncertain ways. [more]
This project is a joint activity between Medical Sciences (EMRC), the Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences (LESC), the Humanities (SCH) and Social Sciences (SCSS) as well as the COST Domain Committee for Food and Agriculture. It is managed by LESC.
Final Report published!
Higher Education Looking Forward: An Agenda for Future Research
(July 2008)
In the report, Brennan and a multinational team of experts point out that universities are as affected by internationalisation and globalisation as other actors are, ranging from people and companies to whole countries. [Read the full release]
Download the report (6.1 MB)
More information on the Forward Look on Higher Education
What is a Forward Look?
Forward Looks enable Europe’s scientific community, in interaction with policy makers, to develop medium to long-term views and analyses of future research developments with the aim of defining research agendas at national and European level. [more]
Further pages
Current Forward Looks
involving social sciences
Completed Forward Looks
involving social sciences