Peter Stern, senior editor at the prestigious journal Science, visited Coimbra from June 25 to 28 as an invited speaker at the European Social Club 2025, an event organized by the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of the University of Coimbra (CNC-UC). Focused on the neurobiology of social behavior, the meeting brought together internationally renowned researchers to discuss the latest scientific advances in this multidisciplinary field.

During his visit to Coimbra, Peter Stern gave an interview to the newspaper Público, where he reflected on the challenges currently facing science in today’s political and social climate, with particular attention to the situation in the United States. He addressed the impact of policies from the former Trump Administration on the scientific community, especially on early-career researchers, and emphasized the need to safeguard scientific freedom.

(Full interview available here.)

With a background in neurobiology, Stern currently serves as a senior editor at Science, one of the world’s most influential scientific journals, published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) — an international nonprofit organization committed to fostering scientific cooperation and promoting science in society.

Peter Stern’s participation in the European Social Club highlights the international relevance of the event and the University of Coimbra’s role as a hub for critical reflection and the advancement of scientific excellence.