Policy

Horizon 2020 will support early-stage research in Europe. © Inserm

policy | horizon 2020

22 November 2013

Europe to tackle society’s challenges with biggest-ever research programme

Europe is poised to launch its biggest-ever research and innovation funding package in order to take on some of society's biggest challenges such as the need for green transport and clean energy, while at the same time creating jobs.

A young female participant at the Global Youth to Business Forum in the lecture theatre of Moscow School of Management in Skolkovo, Moscow, Russia. © Shutterstock/ Pavel L

policy | science in society | women in science

08 November 2013

Qualified women still opting out of career in science, says study

The growing number of female doctoral graduates in the European Union is not reflected in the number of women taking up senior science research positions. The GENDERA project looked into the matter.

he sentinel programme will provide real-time data on the earth. © European Space Agency

space | environment | policy

07 October 2013

Keeping a watchful eye over earth

Europe’s new fleet of observation satellites will monitor the earth in real time, giving vital data on things like sea ice, pollution and crop maturity as part of the EU's earth monitoring programme that also includes sensors on the ground, at sea and in the air.

Günther Oettinger, European Commissioner for Energy, addresses representatives of ITER Member States at the construction site on 6 September 2013. Image courtesy of ITER

energy | policy | industry

04 October 2013

World powers back hotter-than-the-sun reactor

Ministers representing many of the world's main economic powers met on 6 September 2013 to show their support for one of the world’s most ambitious scientific experiments – a nuclear fusion reactor that will operate at temperatures ten times hotter than the core of the sun.

The European country with the highest number of international research connections is the United Kingdom.

policy

05 August 2013

Using algorithms to link-up researchers

Scientists are developing algorithms that can connect researchers across the world who have similar interests by scanning the content of academic papers.

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science and Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda, launched the five new Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) to boost the fields of innovative medicines, aeronautics, bio-based industries, fuel cells and hydrogen, and electronics. © European Union, 2013

public–private partnerships | policy

11 July 2013

Multi-billion partnerships for EU research

Solving major challenges like finding alternatives to fossil fuels and new antibiotics, boosting the competitiveness of EU industry in sectors that provide good jobs, and bringing research to market – these are the main aims of the EUR 22 billion research partnerships between the EU, industry and Member States that the European Commission announced on 10 July.

Dr Conor O’Carroll speaking at the Euroscience Open Forum 2012 in Dublin. © ESOF / Irish Universities Association

opinion | policy

13 May 2013

Fast track immigration for attracting researchers

Dr Conor O’Carroll, Research Director at the Irish Universities Association, argues that the Scientific Visa pioneered by France and implemented as a European Directive in 2005 is in itself a really effective method for attracting researchers to Europe.

Test of the quality of a laser beam produced by the Amplitude start-up company in France. The technology proposed by this company has been co-patented by the Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, France. © CNRS Phototèque – Kaksonenl

industry | policy

03 May 2013

EU patents predict green recovery

If the type of patents being filed by Europe’s companies is anything to go by, the economy that will emerge from the financial crisis in Europe may be decidedly green.

Gaining professional experience abroad can be a career boost for women scientists © Shutterstock

science in society | women in science | policy

18 March 2013

Women in science: Mobility is good for your career

For scientists, packing up their lab coats and microscopes and heading to foreign laboratories can really pay dividends. Thanks to initiatives like Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowships, women are benefiting more and more from making a move abroad.

Policy

Europe to tackle society’s challenges with biggest-ever research programme