LERU presents new advice paper on the European Research Area Framework
27 January 2012
On Monday 23 January 2012 the League of European Research Universities (LERU) presented its new paper ‘The European Research Area: Priorities for research universities’. Policy makers and stakeholders discussed the paper during a breakfast launch event in the Neth-ER House in Brussels.
Europe’s leading research universities support the concept of developing the ERA and agree with much of the analysis offered by the Commission in its recent Communication. To be sure, the proof will be in the pudding, as usual: although it is not clear exactly how the EU will persuade governments, research funders and others – by carrot or by stick - to help build the ERA, the initiative deserves broad support. Why? Because as a continent we need a bold move if we don’t want to be demoted to second class when it comes to our rich and varied research and innovation capacity. Research and innovation simply must be at the heart of the Europe 2020 agenda to enable the European Union to escape its current economic difficulties and to foster a sustainable economy.
Dr. Katrien Maes (LERU Office), co- author and editor of the paper, presented LERU’s views on the future of the European Research Area. Her presentation was followed by responses from Dr. Anneli Pauli (Deputy Director General, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission) Prof. Jüri Engelbrecht (immediate past President, European Federation of National Academies of Sciences and Humanities) and Dr. Peter Tindemans (Governing Board and Science Policy Convener, Euroscience). They gave their opinion about what can or cannot be done and engaged in a stimulating discussion with the audience.
