Gain insights from leading voices in academia, policy, and research. Our exclusive interviews highlight key challenges and emerging trends. If you are interested in gender equality, take a look at our Gender Equality Interview Series.
Explore our Interview Spotlight Series
The hidden networks of medieval Europe: An interview with Tuomas Heikkilä In this interview, Professor Heikkilä MAE explores the CODICUM project’s innovative use of DNA analysis and AI to trace the medieval book fragments that shaped Europe’s cultural and intellectual history.
Exploring ancient genomes: An interview with Hypatia prize winner Svante Pääbo Svante Pääbo MAE reflects on his pioneering work in paleogenetics, the impact of ancient DNA on modern science, and his vision for the future of human evolutionary research.
A Cardiff legacy: Sir Leszek Borysiewicz on science, leadership, and the future of medicine Sir Leszek explores his early days in Cardiff, the career decisions that shaped his path, and the contributions he hopes to leave for future generations of scientists.
Advancing stem cell therapies: An interview with Zaal Kokaia Professor Zaal Kokaia MAE discusses the rapid progress in stem cell research, the hurdles in bringing regenerative therapies to patients, and the academic challenges facing Georgia.
Scientific advice on Solar Radiation Modification: An interview with Naki Nakićenović and Benjamin Sovacool Naki Nakićenović MAE and Benjamin Sovacool MAE reflect on the recent work on SRM by the Scientific Advice Mechanism and their role within it.
Shaping Europe’s future through research and policy: An interview with Martin Kahanec Professor Martin Kahanec MAE discusses his work on inequality, migration, and the importance of safeguarding academic freedom.
Pioneering green energy and science communication: An interview with Saiful Islam Professor Saiful Islam MAE shares his journey in advancing sustainable energy research, championing science communication through engaging talks and record-breaking public experiments.
Radicalism, legacy, and the future of the Humanities: An interview with Rosi Braidotti Professor Rosi Braidotti MAE reflects on her contributions to feminist philosophy, the evolution of the humanities, and the importance of embracing intergenerational justice.
Towards an equitable digital society: An interview with Helen Kennedy Professor Helen Kennedy MAE explores what a fair and inclusive digital society could look like and the challenges of digital inequality, big data, and technology ethics.
Transforming urban waste for a sustainable future: An interview with Katarzyna Chojnacka Professor Katarzyna Chojnacka MAE discusses her pioneering work in sustainable technologies and shares insights on contributing to climate-neutral urban innovations.
Biodiversity in the age of climate change: An interview with Yvonne Buckley Professor Yvonne Buckley MAE examines how climate action and land use shape biodiversity.
Insights from history into energy use: An interview with Verena Winiwarter Professor Verena Winiwarter MAE discusses historical shifts in energy use, and the lessons they offer for modern energy policy and transition.
Towards the ends of space and time: An interview with Heino Falcke Professor Heino Falcke MAE shares his experience of capturing the first image of a black hole.
The impact of arts and humanities on public policy: An interview with Arlene Holmes-Henderson Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson MAE explores the process that led to a new publication highlighting real-world examples of how arts and humanities research impacts public policy.
Advancing mental health and autism research: An interview with Kate Tchanturia Professor Kate Tchanturia MAE describes her career at the intersection of research and clinical practice in autism and eating disorders, and shares her reaction to receiving the prestigious National Award of Georgia.
Living and working through war: Oleg Krishtal MAE describes the need for ‘metalanguage’ Professor Oleg Krishtal MAE discusses the resilience of Ukraine’s scientists, their wartime challenges, and the critical role of science in the nation’s survival.
Exploring animal communication: An interview with Nicolas Mathevon Professor Nicolas Mathevon MAE discusses his book 'The Voices of Nature' and uncovers the fascinating world of how and why animals communicate.
Challenging gender norms in media: An interview with Cláudia Álvares Professor Cláudia Álvares MAE reflects on the changing portrayal of gender in the media, the nuances of intersectionality, and the critical need for effective digital regulation in promoting equality.
Academia Europaea welcomes Jiří Přibáň, legal scholar and newly-appointed Justice Cardiff University’s Professor Jiří Přibáň MAE discusses his election to Academia Europaea and his role at the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic.
Exploring climate change narratives: An interview with Kjersti Fløttum Professor Kjersti Fløttum MAE examines the impact of narrative structures on climate change awareness and the need for motivating climate communication.
Building effective research environments: An interview with Kai Simons Professor Kai Simons MAE reflects on life as a scientist and entrepreneur, described in his autobiography 'The Magic of the Collective'.
Bridging science and society: An interview with AE Budapest’s new Director, Péter Hegyi Academia Europaea’s Budapest Hub has welcomed its new Director, Professor Péter Hegyi MAE.
Exploring the bilingual brain: An interview with Professor Li Wei MAE Professor Li Wei MAE discusses his groundbreaking research on bilingual brain development, and the significant benefits of language exposure in both childhood and later life. 
Bridging science and policy in Europe: Insights from Pearl Dykstra MAE Professor Pearl Dykstra MAE discusses her roles within the European Scientific Advice Mechanism, and the importance of collaboration in science and policy. 
From the Silk Road to the One Belt, One Road Initiative: an interview with Samuel Lieu Professor Samuel Lieu MAE discusses his co-director role in the UNESCO-sponsored 'Corpus Fontium Manichaeorum' project, and how his diverse range of scholarly interests led him from the Silk Road to the Byzantine.
AI’s opportunities and challenges: Insights from 2024 Hypatia Prize Winner, Nuria Oliver The 2024 winner of the Hypatia European Science Prize, Nuria Oliver MAE, shares her reaction to receiving the award and discusses the opportunities and challenges of Artificial Intelligence. 
Building Bridges 2023 Spotlight Series: an interview with Katalin Solymosi Chair of the Young Academy of Europe, Dr Katalin Solymosi FYAE, talks about her motivation for taking on the role and her plans for the YAE. 
Overcoming barriers in male-dominated world: an interview with Ann-Christine Davis MAE Professor Ann-Christine Davis MAE talks about making history as the first female Mathematics professor at Cambridge, the challenges she's faced, and the positive effect of support from male colleagues.
Building Bridges 2023 Spotlight Series: an interview with Michael Udvardi Professor Michael Udvardi, recipient of the The Adam Kondorosi Academia Europaea Award for Advanced Research 2023, shares why this award is special to him and his research into sustainable agriculture. 
Building Bridges 2023 Spotlight Series: an interview with Eugene Yeo Professor Eugene Yeo, inaugural recipient of the Academia Europaea Sydney Brenner Medal, speaks on his personal connection with Sydney Brenner and continuing his legacy as a mentor.
Building Bridges 2023 Spotlight Series: an interview with Jean-Pierre Changeux Professor Jean Pierre Changeux MAE, recipient of Academia Europaea's Erasmus medal, shares what the award means to him and discusses key aspects of his research. 
Building Bridges 2023 Spotlight Series: an interview with Johanna Ivaska MAE Professor Johanna Ivaska MAE shares her passion for cancer research and the challenges faced by female scientists.
A conversation on gender equity and allyship in STEM: an interview with Jeremy Sanders MAE Professor Jeremy Sanders MAE talks about his personal inclusion agenda and setting an example as a male ally.
Why we need more women in science: An interview with Dame Athene Donald MAE Dame Athene Donald MAE talks about her book "Not just for the boys" which examines the modern way of working in scientific research and how gender bias operates within it, drawing on the experiences of leading women in science.
30 years of the European Review: an interview with Alban Kellerbauer To mark this milestone, European Review Editor-in-Chief Alban Kellerbauer MAE discusses his ambitions for the journal, and what makes the ER distinctive. 
Telling the stories of women scientists: An interview with Magdolna Hargittai MAE Professor Magdolna Hargittai MAE discusses her book which focuses on the achievements of female scientists and the importance of role models in promoting and supporting more women in STEM.
Telling the story of émigré scientists: An interview with Istvan Hargittai MAE Professor Istvan Hargittai MAE discusses his motivation for writing his book 'Brilliance in Exile,' which explores the lives of Hungarian émigré scientists who have made significant contributions to science after leaving their country of birth.
Changing landscapes in academia: an interview with Susan Wray MAE Marking International Women's Day 2023, Professor Susan Wray MAE shares her passion for physiology, and the people who have had the greatest impact on her work and career. She discusses gender equality in academia as well as her hopes for the next generation of scientists.
An interview with Katalin Solymosi and Linn Leppert Dr Katalin Solymosi FYAE and Dr Linn Leppert FYAE discuss Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, their experiences as women in science and the importance of the CALIPER project in addressing the gender balance in STEM fields.
Building Bridges 2022 Spotlight Series: an interview with Nancy Cartwright MAE Winner of the Hypatia Prize, Professor Nancy Cartwright MAE tells us about her recent work and the role philosophy can play in facing present-day challenges.
Building Bridges 2022 Spotlight Series: an interview with Sierd Cloetingh MAE Professor Sierd Cloetingh MAE, recipient of Academia Europaea's 2022 Gold Award, gives us his reaction and tells us about some of his activities on behalf of AE. 
Building Bridges 2022 Spotlight Series: an interview with Philippe Aghion MAE Professor Philippe Aghion MAE, recipient of Academia Europaea's Erasmus medal, tells us about his work on growth and innovation. 
Building Bridges 2022 Spotlight Series: an interview with Carl-Henrik Heldin MAE Professor Carl-Henrik Heldin MAE shares his views on the role of science in addressing global challenges, and his work with the Nobel Foundation.
Building Bridges 2022 Spotlight Series: an interview with Sir Shankar Balasubramanian and Helga Nowotny MAE Sir Shankar Balasubramanian MAE and Professor Helga Nowotny MAE discuss innovation, interdisciplinary research, public and policy engagement, and the impacts of technology. 
Building Bridges 2022 Spotlight Series: an interview with Moniek Tromp FYAE Professor Moniek Tromp FYAE, Chair of the Young Academy of Europe, tells us about her ambitions and priorities for the YAE.
Celebrating physiology: an interview with David Paterson MAE Professor David Paterson MAE, President of the Physiological Society, marks the life and work of neurophysiologist Thomas Graham Brown FRS (1882-1965) in Cardiff.
Mathematics and Planet Earth: an interview with Valerio Lucarini MAE Professor Valerio Lucarini MAE explains the role of mathematics in climate science, the importance of interdisciplinary research collaboration and the need to engage with policymakers.
Music as a strategic issue of Ukrainian independence: an interview with Lyubov Kyyanovska Professor Luba Kyyanovska MAE discusses her life as a musicologist, from her early studies in L'viv to life beyond the fall of the Iron Curtain. 
Life as a Ukrainian scientist: an interview with Yaroslav Shuba MAE Professor Yaroslav Shuba MAE charts his life as a scientist, from the Soviet era to independent Ukraine.
Dedicating my next 20 years to climate change: An interview with Sir David King FRS MAE AAAS Award winner and former UK Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King MAE, shares his ambitious plans to tackle the global challenge of climate change.
The rewards and challenges of working in mental health: an interview with Professor Karina Lovell Professor Karina Lovell MAE shares insights into her career and research in the mental health sector.
My passion to serve the research community: an interview with Academia Europaea’s new President, Professor Marja Makarow In her first interview as President of Academia Europaea, Professor Marja Makarow MAE tells us about her leadership roles and sets out some of her priorities for Academia Europaea.
A life in science with Professor Ole Petersen Professor Ole Petersen MAE, winner of Academia Europaea’s Gold Medal 2021 and the Cardiff Hub’s Academic Director, speaks about the honour of receiving the Medal, the current challenges he sees for science, and shares personal reflections on his career.
Special interview with Sir Roger Penrose, Nobel laureate and this year’s winner of Academia Europaea’s Erasmus Medal We were honoured to meet with world-renowned mathematician, physicist and Nobel laureate, Professor Sir Roger Penrose OM FRS MAE, winner of Academia Europaea’s Erasmus Medal, 2021.
Looking through the lens of good science, by Professor David Allison MAE Professor David Allison MAE, expert in nutrition and obesity, shares his passion for scientific rigour and evidence-informed policymaking.
A special collective spirit: Reflections on my time as President of Academia Europaea by Professor Sierd Cloetingh To mark our 5th anniversary, Professor Sierd Cloetingh MAE shares highlights from his role as President of Academia Europaea and reflects on the impact of the Academy's work. 
The role of the Young Academy of Europe by Dr Gemma Modinos, FYAE Dr Gemma Modinos FYAE, Chair of the Young Academy of Europe, talks about her vision and priorities for the YAE in our first video interview.
From Research to Public Health Policy by Professor Martin McKee MAE Professor Martin McKee MAE tells us about his passion for Public Health, his role at the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and his research on the adverse effects of movement restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Understanding asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by Professor Peter Barnes MAE Professor Peter Barnes MAE tells us about his career highlights and the effect of COVID-19 on his research.
Making decisions at times of uncertainty, by Nils-Eric Sahlin MAE Professor Nils-Eric Sahlin MAE tells us about his research on decision-making under conditions of uncertainty, and his contribution to the evidence review on 'Making Sense of Science for Policy', coordinated by Academia Europaea.
Examining the sustainability of our food systems: By Peter Jackson MAE Professor Peter Jackson MAE tells us why he became involved in the study of food, and his role in the publication of a major evidence review on sustainable food systems.
Working at the interface between academia and policy, by Barbara Prainsack MAE Professor Barbara Prainsack MAE shares her experiences of the vital relationship between academia and policy.
My research career in big data analysis by Yike Guo, Imperial College London Professor Yike Guo MAE discusses the importance of big data analysis, the impact of his international education and his continued links with China.
Priorities for Plan S by Open Access Champion Johan Rooryck Professor Johan Rooryck MAE shares his priorities for Plan S and his passion for Open Access publishing.
Progress at the Academia Europaea’s Tbilisi Hub, Georgia, by David Prangishvili Professor David Prangishvili MAE tells us about his plans for Academia Europaea’s 5th Hub in Tbilisi, Georgia. 
Interview spotlight: Dr Mangala Srinivas, Chair of the Young Academy of Europe (YAE) Dr Mangala Srinivas FYAE, Chair of the Young Academy of Europe, discusses the impact of being awarded an ERC Starting Grant, her role as the Chair of the Young Academy of Europe and why the YAE became involved in the debate on Plan S.
Interview spotlight: Professor Peter Hegyi, Director of the Centre of Translational Medicine, the University of Pécs Professor Peter Hegyi MAE provides an insight into the importance of Translational Medicine.
Interview Spotlight: Theo D’haen, Emeritus Professor of English and Comparative Literature, KU Leuven Professor Theo D'haen MAE shares his career highlights, the relevance of his research, the role of international collaboration in research and his thoughts on Plan S.
Interview spotlight: Rosalind L Smyth, Director and Professor of Child Health UCL Great Ormond St Institute of Child Health Professor Rosalind L Smyth MAE talks about her work as a clinician and academic at the UCL Great Ormond St Institute of Child Health, her commitment to Open Access and her views on gender equality in science.
Interview Spotlight: Lord Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal Astronomer Royal Professor Martin Rees, The Lord Rees of Ludlow, OM, FRS, FREng, FMedSci, FBA (Hon) MAE, internationally renowned cosmologist and astrophysicist, talks about how to successfully engage the public with science and gives us an insight into his latest book.
Interview Spotlight: Christopher Smith, Professor of Ancient History, University of St Andrews Professor Christopher Smith MAE shares his most noteworthy professional experiences, explains how his research relates to modern society and tells us more about 'Sovereignty: a global perspective', April 2019.
Interview Spotlight: John Tucker, Professor of Computer Science, Swansea University Professor John Tucker MAE shares his professional highlights and what being a Member of Academia Europaea means to him.
Interview spotlight: Professor Ole Petersen, Cardiff Hub Academic Director and Vice-President Academia Europaea As the first in a series of interviews with Members of Academia Europaea connected with the Cardiff Hub, Professor Ole Petersen CBE FMedSci FLSW MAE ML FRS, shares highlights of his life and career.
