Eszter Hargittai

The nominating institution University of Manitoba on the breakthrough: Environmental DNA is a non-invasive way to sample organisms. It’s revolutionizing biodiversity monitoring in the Canadian Arctic. The Stetefeld lab, in partnership with the Kivalliq Inuit Association, extracts eDNA from environmental samples without having to isolate the target organisms. Tags: Artificial…

Nominated by: Thomas Montenegro-Johnson, University of Birmingham Presented by: John Terry

The two most common mental health issues, depression and anxiety, are also the leading cause of disability globally. The economic impact and societal ramifications are increasingly being recognised and a cultural and policy shift in the way mental health disorders are perceived and tackled is already underway. However, much remains…

The rapid integration of AI into all aspects of society raises urgent questions and presents significant dangers. AI technologies have been introduced in a range of sectors, with claims that automating sensitive social decisions improves outcomes and increases efficiency. From facial recognition and predictive policing data to automated HR –…

Cooperation in Science in a Multilateral World Falling Walls Circle Tables are lending the spotlight to world-leading scientists, science strategists and policy-makers from academia, business and politics discuss how we can apply science, research and innovation to get the world moving again. The Covid-19 pandemic has made clear the vital…

In this Falling Walls Breakthrough Conversation with Londa Schiebinger, digital participants had the chance to discuss and ask questions. The interview series provided an intense personal atmosphere, in which high-level guests, speakers and panelists of the Falling Walls Science Summit 2021 focused on their individual research, career paths and experiences.…

Irene Tagliaro is addressing the environmental and health concerns associated with perfluorinated substances (PFAS), or forever chemicals, by developing a PFAS-free water-repellent coating. This alternative solution utilises biopolymeric materials, specifically chitosan derived from aquaculture wastes, and fatty acids, offering a non-toxic, biodegradable, and sustainable substitute for PFAS in various applications.

I developed a relatively low-cost, low energy input process to make valuable products from mining wastes, which has the potential to achieve carbon neutral mining operations.   Tag: Climate change, Environment & Nature, Green Tech

The nominating institution CAU Kiel on the breakthrough: The project aims to make use of crowd dynamics and the phenomenon of self-mobilizing masses in educational contexts. We conduct our research in educational settings and innovative learning environments that are designed to transcend conventional classroom or distant learning settings towards participatory,…

What are black holes? Where do they lead and are they a threat? Questions such as these have captivated the imaginations of scientists and the public for decades. Up until recently, only simulations and illustrations could help to envisage what black holes might look like – which is why the…