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European Research Area (ERA) Forum launches work on research careers

17 February 2023

The European Commission convened on the 1st of February in Brussels the kick-off meeting of the ERA Policy action designed to strengthen research careers (ERA action 4). As a co-sponsor of this action, together with Portugal, the Coimbra Group works closely with the Commission to advance work related to this action. We also played an actively role in the preparation and moderation of the meeting, which gathered the member states, associated countries and stakeholders that have committed to implement this action. 

Participants were invited to take stock of the state of play of action 4 on “Promoting attractive research careers”, and to share any relevant national, regional and sectoral initiatives they are already developing, or planning to develop, in this area. This mapping exercise, and the discussions that followed on the development of a comprehensive European framework for research careers, will help establishing a work plan for the months to come. The synergies between this action and other connected ERA policy actions (3,5, 6, 13 and 17) were also outlined.

Among the numerous topics tackled at the meeting, two should be carefully considered:

  • the development by the Commission of a comprehensive European framework for research careers: the aim is to address all challenges related to research careers in academia and beyond, with the objective of making them more attractive, sustainable and effective (including a revised Charter and Code for Researchers).
  • the new Political Partnership for Young Researchers recently announced by EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel. This partnership aims at setting legislative standards, coordinating investments, but also monitoring progress in research and innovation jobs through a Research and Innovation Careers Observatory (RICO).

In line with the European Competence Framework for Researchers, the European Commission also announced the upcoming launch of the ResearchComp website. It will highlight the 7 competences areas and 38 transversal competences that individual researchers are expected to acquire in the course of their career. It is described as a tool for researchers to assess themselves and see their needs in terms of upskilling. It might also help employers to understand how what researchers can offer.

The slides projected at the meeting are available on the CG intranet for CG members only.