CESAER

❄ CESAER WINTER READS ❄ As the year winds down, it is the perfect time to reflect on impactful initiatives of the recent weeks and months. Today, we wanted to spotlight our support for the joint call to boost Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) alongside Aurora Universities , Coimbra Group, Epso, EuroTech Universities Alliance, EU-LIFE, European University Association, Initiative for Science in Europe, League of European Research Universities (LERU), Marie Curie Alumni Association, Science Europe,The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, YERUN - Young European Research Universities. The MSCA is widely regarded as a flagship initiative supporting doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. It is celebrated for promoting mobility, advancing groundbreaking research, and developing talent that drives Europe’s global competitiveness in science and technology. 💬 “The MSCA must receive strong support for the remainder of Horizon Europe and be integral to FP10” - Mattias Björnmalm, PhD, Secretary General of CESAER. Read the call here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eUZT4JKA #FP10 #MSCA #HorizonEurope #universitiesofscienceandtechnology

"We have said, following the Draghi report, that a robust research and innovation system is essential for protecting Europe's welfare, environment, and society. So, it is vital for those of us who care deeply about these matters to be strong advocates, engaging actively at this crucial time for Europe’s future in research and innovation". - Orla Feely, University College Dublin President & CESAER President. "The convergence of political acknowledgement and ongoing developments, such as the European Competitiveness Fund, was a major discussion point, especially in our conversations with Manuel Heitor and invited leaders. Only by working together as a continent can Europe lead globally in science, technology, and innovation" - Mattias Björnmalm, PhD, CESAER Secretary General. Our President and our Secretary General were interviewed by News Tank Academic to reflect on what happened during our CESAER Annual Meetings 2024. Full interview is available here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e_uWhRh6 #researchandinnovation #competitiveness #fp10

Today, the leading universities of science and technology united within CESAER released a new report titled 'Research careers: A critical choice for Europe'. 📰 ⚙️ The report presents the results, insights, and recommendations from a 2024 CESAER research careers survey. It combines a data-driven analysis of survey outcomes from 24 universities with expert assessments, landscape analyses, and detailed case studies. The report also provides guidance for a 'Choose Europe' initiative and calls for its launch as a pilot under Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions in 2025. The full report is available for dissemination here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eTk2G3nt #researchcareers #humanresources #universitiesofscienceandtechnology #CESAER Orla Feely Manuel Heitor Tanya Bondarouk Sophie Ratcliff

📰 A brutal fight lies ahead in securing our future in research. 📰 "Securing the necessary resources and political support for the next research programme, FP10 will require nothing less than a united, relentless advocacy campaign across Europe." "We find ourselves on the brink of a defining moment for Europe’s future in research and innovation. The recent publication by the European Commission of the report ‘Align, Act, Accelerate’, prepared by an expert group that I had the pleasure to chair, outlines a bold vision for the next chapter of European research and innovation. However, we must be clear: the next two years will bring a brutal political fight over priorities, funding instruments, and budget allocations at the European level." Our Envoy on Research Careers Manuel Heitor wrote a viewpoint for Science|Business in October where he calls European leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders in research and innovation to unite in advocating for significantly increased investment and support for the next European research framework program, FP10, amid a competitive global landscape where Europe risks falling behind other regions of the globe. Check out the full viewpoint 👉 https://lnkd.in/efgXk-DH #ResearchCareers #FP10 #ResearchFunding

Thrilled to have co-led the development of the CESAER report "Reimagining University Rankings: Exploring Strategic Priorities and Alternatives", in partnership with Sophie Ratcliff, whose contributions were instrumental. This workshop report explores the future of commercial rankings, providing recommendations to enhance transparency, equity, and accountability in university ranking systems. It also advocates for the adoption of responsible evaluation frameworks and encourages universities of science and technology to consider endorsing the "More Than Our Rank" initiative, as well as frameworks such as CoARA, DORA, and the Leiden Manifesto. A big thank you to all our contributors: Paul Boselie (Chief of Open Science, Utrecht University), Manuela Höfler (Co-Director of the Open Science Office, University of Zürich), Rüdiger Mutz (Senior Researcher, University of Zurich), and Ludo Waltman (Scientific Director at the Centre for Science and Technology Studies, CWTS, Leiden University). Special thanks to Peter Elspass, Chair of the Task Force Benchmark, Aldo Torrebruno (Politecnico di Milano), and all members of the Task Force Benchmark. My gratitude also goes to my colleagues in the Secretariat, Mattias Björnmalm, PhD, and Justine Moynat, for their invaluable support.

Tomorrow, I will give an invited contribution at the European Commission's Conference on Research Careers. I will share insights from the recent CESAER Research Careers Survey. To support modern and stable research careers in Europe, five dimensions are essential: 1) Unlock stability in researcher careers through sustainable institutional funding. 2) Pursue balanced funding to achieve equilibrium between temporary and non-temporary contracts. 3) Strengthen the evidence base by implementing a ‘Research & Innovation Careers Observatory.’ 4) Modernise outdated legal and employment frameworks. 5) Foster excellent institutional support for (early-career) researchers. Full details of the five dimensions can be found here 👉 (PDF) https://lnkd.in/eM3iJHzv I’m looking forward to the European Commission event tomorrow, and the full CESAER Research Careers Survey is planned for publication in December!

Reimagining university rankings: exploring strategic priorities and alternatives, our report is out! 🆕 Today, the leading universities of science and technology united within CESAER, released a new report titled ‘Reimagining university rankings: exploring strategic priorities and alternatives’. The report builds on the joint workshop of our Board of Directors and Task Force Benchmark which took place on 18 June 2024, kindly hosted by KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. Led by our Task Force Benchmark, this publication provides recommendations to enhance transparency, equity, and accountability in commercial university rankings. It advocates for adopting responsible evaluation frameworks and encourages universities of science and technology to consider endorsing the ’More Than Our Rank’ initiative, as well as frameworks such as CoARA, DORA, and the Leiden Manifesto. The workshop report features contributions from Paul Boselie (Chief of Open Science, Utrecht University), Manuela Höfler (Co-Director of the Open Science Office, University of Zürich), and Rüdiger Mutz (Senior Researcher, University of Zurich), who shared insights into their respective universities' strategic decision not to submit data to commercial rankers. Ludo Waltman (Scientific Director at the Centre for Science and Technology Studies, CWTS, Leiden University) presented the new Open Edition of the CWTS Leiden Ranking. Report is here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eTNNYpkT #coara #universityrankings #benchmark Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment

"We have said, following the Draghi report, that a robust research and innovation system is essential for protecting Europe's welfare, environment, and society. So, it is vital for those of us who care deeply about these matters to be strong advocates, engaging actively at this crucial time for Europe’s future in research and innovation". - Orla Feely, University College Dublin President & CESAER President. "The convergence of political acknowledgement and ongoing developments, such as the European Competitiveness Fund, was a major discussion point, especially in our conversations with Manuel Heitor and invited leaders. Only by working together as a continent can Europe lead globally in science, technology, and innovation" - Mattias Björnmalm, PhD, CESAER Secretary General. Our President and our Secretary General were interviewed by News Tank Academic to reflect on what happened during our CESAER Annual Meetings 2024. Check out the full interview 👉 https://lnkd.in/e_uWhRh6 #researchandinnovation #competitiveness #fp10

Today, Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner-designate for Startups, Research, and Innovation, presented her vision in her hearing at the European Parliament , highlighting the need to prioritise R&I in Europe. I welcome her commitment to propose a European Innovation Act and push Member States to meet the 3% R&I spending target, which is essential for our science and technology universities. Her focus on supporting startups and reducing red tape is commendable, but we must ensure that established research institutions including universities of science and technology also receive adequate support to foster long-term innovation. Additionally, her commitment to promoting women in R&I and advocating for an ambitious budget in the next multi-annual framework programme is a step forward. While some proposals may need more digging and detail, I commend Zaharieva for her dedication to working with all actors including stakeholder organisations. CESAER is prepared to lend its support to ensure a balanced and collaborative future for European research and innovation. I look forward to seeing how her vision unfolds in practice!

Did you know that CESAER has a Flickr page❓ On it, you will find pictures from our latest in-person events, including our September MEP Welcome reception and the CESAER Annual Meetings 2024, kindly hosted by the University of Strathclyde. Check it out 👉 https://lnkd.in/e_BBzsBW #CAM2024 #CESAERAnnualMeetings #Universitiesofscienceandtechnology