What we do
Strategic lines and alliances
To fulfill its mission and vision, the Academia Europaea – Barcelona Knowledge Hub carries out activities along the following strategic lines
Dialogue
Promotion of interdisciplinary dialogue on scientific and technological advances of social and/or ethical relevance
Participation
Societal engagement and inclusion of citizen participation in scientific discussion, particularly within the Barcelona area
Recognition
Recognition of outstanding scholarship across diverse fields with positive social impact
Science and Art
Exploration and development of synergies between science and art
International
Enhanced visibility of the AE-BKH and of the research ecosystem of Catalonia, and its increased integration in the international academic community
Alliances with collaborating institutions, such as the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona (RACAB), provide important added value to the activities developed by the AE-BKH.
Frontiers of Science and Technology in Society
The AE-BKH introduces a new series of high-level scientific discussions in English that explore the limits of knowledge and cross disciplinary boundaries. Entitled Frontiers of Science and Technology in Society (abbreviated as Frontiers), the series focuses on cross-sectional perspectives of very distant fields of knowledge, for example, the social, ethical and/or philosophical implications of scientific or technological advances…
Agora
Agora, referring to the meeting place used by the citizens of ancient Greek cities for a variety of public activities, is the name of the second new series of scientific discussions introduced by the AE-BKH. Similar to the Frontiers series, Agora also promotes interdisciplinary dialogue between two experts on scientific advances that are of high social relevance and/or pose major challenges to humanity, addressing their implications from the standpoint of the social sciences, and the humanities…
Disputatio of Barcelona
Since it began operations in 2013, the AE-BKH, in collaboration with the Barcelona City Council, has organized the Disputatio of Barcelona, an annual academic debate held between two renowned experts (disputantes) holding different viewpoints on a common topic of social relevance. The session is coordinated by another expert, the Magister disputationis or convenor, responsible for selecting the topic and moderating the debate.
Barcelona Hypatia European Science Prize
The Barcelona Hypatia European Science Prize is awarded by the Barcelona City Council in collaboration with the Academia Europaea–Barcelona Knowledge Hub. Part of the Barcelona Science Plan, which seeks to boost the city of Barcelona as a European capital of science, the prize, featuring a significant monetary award, recognizes an outstanding researcher who has conducted her/his career primarily in Europe and at the highest international level.
Science and Art
A new important strategic line of the AE-BKH encompasses the interrelationships between Science and Art, aimed at exploring and developing synergies between these areas as complementary ways of understanding and interpreting the world. The AE-BKH seeks to enrich the dialogue that has begun between artists and scientists in its area of influence and to dynamise relations.
In an initial phase, the AE-BKH organises dialogues, round table discussions and joint work sessions focused on harnessing science-art synergies; then, in a later phase, it plans to promote the development and production of artistic projects, built on partnerships with scientists and/or residencies at research centres, with the goal of exhibiting these projects both locally and internationally, highlighting their added value for scientists, artists, and others.
The AE-BKH aspires to make this line of action innovative, creative, and interdisciplinary, appealing to all stakeholders involved.
Outreach
Finally, the AE-BKH carries out outreach activities aimed at both scholars and citizens alike. The purpose of this strategic line is to achieve greater visibility of the AE-BKH and of the research ecosystem of Barcelona and Catalonia, as well as an increased integration in both the international academic community and society as a whole.