(Above): Claude Meisch, Luxembourg's Minister of Higher Education and Research; (below) Marc Schiltz, Secretary General of FNR, President of Science Europe;
Credit: Olivier Minaire
On Wednesday 24 November 2021, Luxembourg hosted this year's Science Europe High Level Workshop on the European Research Area (ERA).
Luxembourg's Minister of Higher Education and Research, Claude Meisch, opened this European seminar in Luxembourg-Kirchberg bringing together the heads of national research funds, as well as representatives of national research ministries and the European Commission.
The 2021 edition of this High Level Workshop on the ERA addressed central aspects of research culture in the area and its influence on the way research is designed, conducted, communicated and evaluated. The aim was to better understand the points of view of the different actors in ERA research and innovation and to continue alignment with the fundamental aspects of research culture. This is expected to make it possible to identify actions likely to make the ERA more attractive for researchers and research excellence.
Co-organised this year in Luxembourg by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research and the National Research Fund (Fonds National de la Recherche - FNR), the High Level Workshop offers a platform to Science Europe member organisations, national ministries and European Union (EU) institutions to discuss the progress, specific aspects and future development of the ERA.
Luxembourg's Minister of Higher Education and Research, Claude Meisch, commented: “I welcome this opportunity to exchange views on the fundamental aspects of the culture of research, on the values underlying it and on the various national approaches to a modern research culture in the European Research Area. It is essential that the sector remains attractive to current and future talent in order to be able to provide the scientific excellence necessary to meet global challenges. This common reflection on how our research policies and practices could evolve to achieve an attractive, inclusive, sustainable and effective ERA is therefore essential”.
Marc Schiltz, Secretary General of the FNR and President of Science Europe for the past four years, stressed the importance of the subject addressed at this conference: “The culture of research - the values and standards that make up the system - influences all levels and aspects of research, shaping the careers of individuals, the results achieved, as well as the attractiveness of the sector. As funders and institutions active in this sector, we have a responsibility to reflect on current culture and envision its evolution towards a thriving, sustainable and open science-based European research ecosystem. With this workshop, we are together creating a common understanding and a long-term vision of the research culture of the European Research Area”.
Organised in a hybrid format, the High Level Workshop brought together representatives of the 38 member organisations of Science Europe, from 28 European countries, as well as eight ministers and / or ministerial representatives and the Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, Jean-Eric Paquet.
