Frontier research

Since the ERC launch, two of its grantees have received a Nobel Prize, including Prof. Konstantin Novoselov, a Russian-British professor at the University of Manchester, UK. © IOP

18 March 2013

ERC grants: from novelty to acclaim in six years

In the six years since the launch of the European Research Council (ERC), its grants have become the most sought-after funding for top researchers in Europe. The biggest reason: the freedom they give scientists to pursue projects in the way they think best.

For the past 15 years L'Oréal and UNESCO have bestowed awards specifically recognising women scientists © CAPA Pictures for L’Oréal Foundation

frontier research | women in science

18 March 2013

Europe's atom watcher rewarded

Professor Pratibha Gai’s modified electron microscope is helping scientists develop new medicines and energy sources.

interview | frontier research

18 March 2013

Empathy: from spiders to psychopathy

Professor Christian Keysers first saw the film Dr. No as a teenager. Watching the scene where James Bond wakes up to discover a large, hairy, poisonous spider crawling up his arm, he thought he could almost feel the spider on his own skin.

Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell is a UK astrophysicist and a campaigner for the cause of women in science. © IOP

interview | frontier research | women in science

18 March 2013

Grants only to 'female-friendly' labs

Grants should only be given to research organisations who have received an award for female-friendly policies, according to a UK scientist who was overlooked for a Nobel Prize on pulsars even though she did much of the work.

Peter Zemsky (L), Deputy Dean INSEAD, France and Tim Hunt (R), Professor, Cancer Research UK, United Kingdom discuss during the session 'An insight, an idea with Tim Hunt' at the Annual Meeting 2013 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, 26 January 2013 © World Economic Forum swiss-image.ch / Photo Mirko Ries

interview | frontier research

13 March 2013

How to make a scientist: Sir Tim Hunt’s recipe

Should we rethink education to foster curiosity, creativity and competitiveness? At the last World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Sir Tim Hunt, member of the ERC Scientific Council and Nobel laureate in 2001 proposed some guidelines.

Frontier research