The recent ESET Science Award 2025 laureate in the main category Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia, Martin Kahanec, shared his insights with TASR – The News Agency of the Slovak Republic on the importance of trust in science and the practical impact of research on people’s lives.

The recent ESET Science Award 2025 laureate in the main category Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia, Martin Kahanec, shared his insights with TASR – The News Agency of the Slovak Republic on the importance of trust in science and the practical impact of research on people’s lives.

As co-founder and Scientific Director of the Central European Labour Studies Institute (CELSI), Kahanec highlighted the Living Wage methodology developed by CELSI in cooperation with the WageIndicator Foundation, now used in 175 countries worldwide.

“Our research directly influences people’s paychecks,” said Kahanec. “Employers use Living Wage data to set fairer wage policies, and our findings are cited in the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages as a data source for shaping wage policies.”

He also stressed that building trust in science and society is essential for progress and a fairer country.

“Trust between people — and in science — historically leads to better outcomes, cooperation, and higher quality of life,” he added.

🔗 The full TASR article is available at: https://www.teraz.sk/slovensko/m-kahanec-budovanie-dovery-vo-vedu-je/914139-clanok.html