Statement by Christophe Rossel, President of the EPS, after UK’s decision to leave the EU
Mulhouse, 24 June 2016 – The European Physical Society (EPS) regrets the outcome of the vote by the British people and their decision to leave the European Union. In spite of all possible consequences that might arise from this choice, the popular decision must be respected like in all democratic processes. The result of the UK’s referendum will certainly bring the leaders to start a wider discussion on the future of the union.
Photonics4All
Photonics4All is a European outreach project funded by the European Union under one of the calls for Photonics Public Private Partnership (PPP). This outreach project aims to promote photonics and light based technologies to young people, students, entrepreneurs and the general public throughout the EU.
The new team of the European Commission
On 22 October 2014, the European Parliament approved the new European Commission [EC] team presented by Jean-Claude Juncker, who started their term of office on 1 November 2014.
The President Jean-Claude Junker put forward his agenda and presented his team earlier this year. In ten policy areas, he focused in particular on “a new boost for jobs, growth and investment”, “a connected digital single market”, and “a resilient energy union with a forward-looking climate change policy”, to quote the first priorities in the list.
Shaping science policy in Europe
The Lisbon Strategy was adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the European Union [EU] in 2000. By moving science into a central position for the development of a European knowledge-based economy and society, its adoption at political level seems to have been a powerful catalyst for the increased involvement of scientists in science policy in the EU.
Recognising the need for scientists to act collectively in order to contribute to shape the future of science policy in…
Positive conclusions for ERA
Since 2008, the European Research Area [ERA] has facilitated the circulation of researchers, scientific knowledge and technology in the European Union. In February 2014, the Council of the European Union [EU] reaffirmed its support to ERA as a key factor to create growth and jobs.
Over the years, ERA has been reinforced with focus on 5 priorities: more effective national research systems; optimal transnational co-operation and competition; an open labor market for researchers; gender equality and gender mainstreaming in research; and optimal circulation, access…
€70 billion for Horizon 2020
After long negotiation between European Union leaders agreeing on the next seven year budget for the Union, the final figure of €70.2 billion has been agreed upon for the research programme Horizon 2020. Although this total is 23% more than allocated for the current framework programme FP7, the first instalment planned for 2014 of €8.8 billion is actually less than the allocated funding in 2013.
p>During the negotiations a number of demands by the European Parliament were met. These included…
Editorial: Widening our 2020 Horizons
Dear Readers,
The European Physical Society [EPS] has been duly responding to various questionnaires from Brussels, to provide significant input to the European Union’s scientific policies, namely in: ‘Areas of untapped potential for the development of the European Research Area’ and ‘Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation Funding’.
In particular, the EPS has been repeatedly stressing the importance of investment…
Results of EC consultation on scientific publishing
The European Commission has published the results of its ‘Consultation on scientific information in the digital age’. The survey generated much interest, with 1,140 responses received from 42 different countries. The European Physical Society provided input into the consultation in September last year.
The survey noted a general desire for better access to scientific publications; the vast majority of respondents believing that publications and data resulting from publically funded research should be made open access. In addition…
Eurypedia: the education encyclopedia
A new initiative detailing the European education systems – Eurypedia – has been launched by the Eurydice Network. Eurypedia aims to present the most accurate picture of the 38 national and regional secondary and tertiary education systems across Europe.
Eurypedia, a wiki-based tool powered by MediaWiki, will be a regularly updated resource, maintained by education experts and the national ministries responsible for European education. It will cover all 27 European Union Member…
Consultation on the future of European Union Research
The outcome of the consultation on European Union research and innovation funding was discussed, at a major conference in Brussels, on 10 June this year. The consultation – which the EPS contributed to – was based on a European Commission Green Paper, which was published earlier this year, on 9 February.
The Green Paper proposed major changes to EU research and innovation funding, in order to increase the scientific and economic impact, to make participation easier and to provide better value for money…
EU Whoiswho Directory
The European Union publishes an online directory, Whoiswho, which gives giving contact information for individuals working at the various European institutions. The directory can be searched in three ways: by individual, by hierarchy and by organizational entity.
This latter feature may be useful for EPS Member Societies; who, for example, might wish to contact their representative to the Council of the European Commission…
