The sight of cities lobbying, campaigning and fighting for the privilege of hosting the Olympics is a spectator sport in its own right. But just as entertaining, to those who get to witness it, is the spectacle of cities hustling to host a general scientific assembly. Indeed, the competition to host the Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF) has become especially gratifying in that regard: the politicians actually care.rnSuch assemblies, of which the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the prime example, need a clarity of mission. Are the discussions intended to engage citizens? To allow researchers to discuss policy issues with policy-makers? To ensure that the media get a feast of stories to cover?
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