WP2 is about the state of the art research and existing studies on pandemics, and their wider societal implications, research and innovation in this area, and the operational and regulatory environment. Its main objectives are to establish a baseline knowledge about:

1. governance of flu pandemics and other similar crises;
2. unsolved scientific questions regarding influenza and pandemic situations;
3. past experiences of participatory governance, bringing research about influenza and pandemics closer to democratic institutions at all levels;
4. targeted ethical, legal and societal implications of pandemics;
5. gender issues in pandemics;
6. the research and innovation context;
7. the risk of intentionally caused outbreaks.