Annual Report 2025 - Report - Page 56
Sustained Work on Contemporary Concerns
Breaking Barriers in Science
Worldwide
At the 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, scientists came together to discuss
pressing challenges that range far beyond disciplinary boundaries. A result of these
discussions is the new Breaking Barriers in Science initiative.
To begin the Science Breakfast on Wednesday, 2 July 2025,
Nils Hansson and Adam Smith briefly discussed barriers
to success for students and early-career scientists, based
on recent research findings. In the following discussion
session with participating Young Scientists, topics such
as equity in science, physical and mental health, and the
resilience of researchers in a globalised scientific community emerged as recurring concerns. These issues,
which greatly shape the careers and well-being of Young
Scientists worldwide, called for a more systematic discussion.
Responding to strong demand, the impromptu workshop Science Without Borders, also moderated by Adam
Smith, was the starting point for the continued work of
four working groups. The initial outcome of the workshop is the Breaking Barriers in Sciences initiative. After
the main objectives were presented to the wider participants of the Lindau Meeting on Mainau Island, the four
focus groups continued to collaborate. Following are very
brief summaries of sustained work that developed out of
the spontaneous workshop in Lindau.
Promoting Equity and Wellness in Academia
Science should be an endeavour primarily driven by curiosity, yet inequity and exclusion pose strong limitations
for many researchers. The workshop explored challenges
faced by early-career researchers and identified concrete
institutional actions to advance equity, inclusion, and
54 | #LINO25 Engaging Programme Formats
wellness in academia. This focus group works on key areas in which targeted efforts will improve well-being and
career progression, ranging from mandatory training in
leadership positions, improved conditions for working
parents, greater LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, combating the
mental health crisis, and denormalizing harassment and
bullying in academia.
The focus group is collaborating with researchers in
psychology to design a survey aimed at assessing the universality of these issues and the effectiveness of the proposed solutions. The findings are intended to contribute
to peer-reviewed research and will raise awareness, support advocacy, and drive evidence-based policy change.
You can find more information about the progress of the
survey on the website of the Lindau Meetings.
Resilient Global Scientific Community
Scientific migration largely flows from the Global South
to established centres with stronger funding and career
opportunities. This often leads to brain drain, while local
systems struggle to retain researchers. However, recent
political shifts highlight the risks of overreliance on a few
supercentres. This focus group proposes key strategies to
improve scientific mobility for better opportunities and
truly interdisciplinary, multinational collaboration. Part
of this proposal is to focus on a productive friendship between industry and academia that can quickly translate
solutions for global problems.
