Committed to Planet A

The first block of Simply Science episodes will take a closer look at the topic of Intercultural Communication and explain 3 important theories in this field. Episode 3 and 4 introduce us to Geert Hofstede and his six dimensional model of (national) culture. In The Anxiety Map -Planning, Time, and lmpulse, we take a look at the final three dials in this theory.

The first block of Simply Science episodes will take a closer look at the topic of Intercultural Communication and explain 3 important theories in this field. Episode 3 and 4 introduce us to Geert Hofstede and his six dimensional model of (national) culture. In The Hidden Software - Power, ldentity, and Competition, we take a look at the first three dials in this theory.

The first block of Simply Science episodes will take a closer look at the topic of Intercultural Communication and explain 3 important theories in this field. Episode 2 High Context vs. Low Context: The Secret Frequencies of Communication, tackles theory number 2: Edward T. Hall's concept of High Context versus Low Context Communication.

The first block of Simply Science episodes will take a closer look at the topic of Intercultural Communication and explain 3 important theories in this field. Episode 1 Lost in Translation? The Hidden Rules of Our Conversations, explores Edward T. Hall's Iceberg Model of Culture and how intercultural misunderstandings arise because people from different cultures communicate according to different, often invisible, cultural norms rather than simply because they speak different languages.

Project management is one of the most important skills researchers need, yet it’s rarely taught in academia. From drafting budgets and schedules to building well-coordinated teams – knowing how to run a project is essential for PhD students and early-career researchers.
This episode of “Committed to Planet A” takes us to the “Management of Research Projects” workshop hosted in June 2026 by Technical University of Leoben. During this intense five-day workshop, young researchers from 3 EURECA-PRO partner universities came together. They learnt essential skills and tools to propose and run their future projects successfully and sustainably.
Join the workshop organizers, Michel Varelija (Research Coordinator, TUL) and Isabella Zick (Communication Manager, TUL), as they discuss the growing need for project management in academia. And, dive even deeper into the topic of project management and the biggest challenge for researchers: transitioning from a project contributor focused on fine details to a project leader overseeing the entire scope and “bigger picture”. Expert trainer Caroline Rotter shares practical insights on budgets, timelines, and team dynamics to turn proposals and projects into sustainable, real-world success.

Whistleblowing in science sits at the uneasy intersection of ethical responsibility, personal risk and institutional power. Episode four of the EURECA-PRO podcast special edition on Science Ethics explores the moral courage required of scientists who choose to speak up when they encounter misconduct, suppression of evidence or practices that endanger public health. Through the landmark cases of Jeffrey Wigand in the tobacco industry and Nancy Olivieri in pharmaceutical research, the episode illustrates how whistleblowers often face retaliation, legal threats, professional isolation and lasting personal consequences. At the same time, these stories reveal why whistleblowing is essential for safeguarding scientific integrity, protecting vulnerable populations and maintaining public trust in research. By discussing both the individual costs and the broader benefits for the scientific community, the episode examines current legal protections, structural shortcomings and future strategies to better support scientists who act in the public interest.

In this episode of Science Ethics, students of the University of Applied Sciences Mittweida explore the current state of science communication in relation to truth and transparency.Scientists have been facing mistrust for ages. With Trump’s election in 2016 a new term for the mistrust and negligence of scientific facts has become mainstream: “Post-Truth”.The students discuss various reasons for post-truth behaviour, obstacles for science communicators and different dimensions to consider when communicating science nowadays. Lastly, an interview with the leading expert David Kaldewey reveals possible ways for science communication to be effective.

This is the second episode of Committed to Planet A's special edition on Science Ethics. It explores how artificial intelligence is transforming medical research and diagnosticsand examines whether machines can act as ethical researchers.The discussion combines host dialogue with expert perspectives to connect practical AIapplications with broader ethical implications, while addressing different current problems:• AI in scientific discovery and ethical responsibility• Pattern recognition in complex medical data• Support for high-stakes diagnostic decisions• Ethical concerns such as opacity, bias, and responsibility• Challenges around errors and ownership of AI-generated resultsUltimately, the episode highlights that trustworthy science continues to depend ontransparency, explainability, and human oversight in the age of AI.

What if your academic career depended less on what you discover and more on how often you publish? In this first episode of the special edition of Committed to Planet A, we dive into the logic of “publish or perish”. A system in which publication numbers, citation counts and metrics like the h-index often determine jobs, funding and reputation.We explore how this pressure shapes everyday life in academia, especially for early-career researchers, and how performance indicators can influence research topics, priorities and even behavior. From salami slicing and ghost authorship to paper mills and predatory journals, we discuss where strategic adaptation ends and scientific misconduct begins.At the same time, we look at possible alternatives: more differentiated contribution models like the CRediT taxonomy, stronger research integrity guidelines and a broader understanding of what makes a “good” scientist.This episode asks a fundamental question: How can we build an academic system that rewards quality, transparency and integrity – not only productivity?

What happens when you bypass the geographical static and tune four different countries into the exact same frequency? You unleash the true superpowers of the student movement. In this new episode of Committed to Planet A, the Universidad de León coordinates a truly borderless recording, broadcasting simultaneously from Belgium, Spain, Pakistan, and Poland to capture a pivotal moment: the official board handover of the EURECA-PRO Student Council.
Guided by our host, Andrés Sánchez (Andrelo), we mix the "old guard" and the "new blood" on the airwaves. We are joined by Ihtesham Ud Din and Aralia Muñiz (outgoing board) along with Juan Guerrero and Klaudia Cholewa (incoming board) to talk bluntly about what it really means to lead change within a European alliance.
We turn up the volume on honest conversations regarding the gap between institutional bureaucracy and the human side of university life, explore how to ground the concept of Responsible Consumption and Production (RCP), and close with a very special studio dynamic: an exchange of "superpowers" and radio-ready advice to survive—and enjoy—the journey ahead!
In this episode, you will find:
On the Air: The real people behind the roles and what motivated them to join the council from different corners of the world.
Brutal Honesty: Direct frequencies sent to rectors and coordinators to make the alliance truly work for its students.
Future & Priorities: The new leadership's key signals to connect campuses across all 9 countries.
The Handover: Essential tools and mutual advice for their upcoming professional lives.
🎧 Tune in, turn it up, and discover the driving force behind the student engine in Europe!