European research set to benefit from new senior advisory panel
A new European research advisory board (EURAB), which brings together senior scientists from both academia and the private sector, is to meet for the first time on 26 September in Brussels. EURAB has been established under the auspices of the European Commissioner and specifically its Research Commissioner, Philippe Busquin. The members of the 45 strong board have been selected by the European science foundation (20 members), UNICE, the Union of industrial and employers confederations of Europe (20 members) and the European Commission (five members). Its mission is to help bring science and society closer together and achieve further cooperation and coordination in European research. Acting independently, EURAB will be able to draw on the expertise of organisations that exist on a European level and will give advice and information to the European Commission both in response to requests and on their own initiative. Commissioner Busquin welcomed the move as a step nearer to the creation of a European research area (ERA). 'Making a reality of the European research area is something we want to achieve with and for the scientific community. I am happy that we are able to count on the advice of such eminent scientists, both from the public and the private sectors,' he said. He felt that the board will help to overcome the divide between public and private scientists and was also pleased to note that the private sector scientists were drawn from both large companies and SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises). The board has among its number Nobel prize winners and has been composed with sectoral, disciplinary, geographical and gender balances in mind. An announcement on the identity of its first president will be made at its first meeting.