EURAB publishes advice on social sciences and European Technology Platforms
The European Research Advisory Board (EURAB) has issued two sets of recommendations, one covering the social sciences and humanities in the context of the European Research Area (ERA), and the second on European Technology Platforms. The principle target of EURAB's recommendations for developing a framework for social sciences and humanities (SSH) research within the ERA is the Commission, the report explains. While the advice may have some impact on remaining calls for proposals under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), it adds that 'the principle thrust of EURAB's recommendations look towards FP7.' The board's first suggestion is for more prominence to be given to social sciences and humanities research activities within the Framework Programmes 'in their own right'. Such activities should address social, economic and political challenges, and the report suggests democracy and European cultural heritage as two examples, although it adds that SSH researchers are best placed to draw up a fuller range of topics. Under the 'support for research infrastructures' priority of future Framework Programmes, the report advocates the inclusion of SSH within its remit. 'The term 'research infrastructure' should be allowed the widest possible definition to cover the breadth of SSH disciplines, and an expert task force should be established to elaborate this,' it adds. In order to strengthen the socio-economic dimension of all major research themes within the Framework Programmes, EURAB advises the Commission to analyse the number of SSH experts involved in successful FP6 proposals. The aim would be to measure the actual, as opposed to rhetorical, importance of the socio-economic dimension of the projects. Another strategy proposed by EURAB is to increase the number of SSH experts involved in evaluating proposals. In terms of the instruments used to fund social sciences and humanities research, the Commission is urged to retain smaller instruments, and consider creating a new one, dubbed the 'SSH Research Innovation Space' aimed at encouraging researchers from within the field to cooperate and explore innovative research opportunities. A second EURAB report looks at the concept of the European Technology Platform, and suggests the principles that should guide their establishment and operations. Essentially, the report sees such platforms as innovation initiatives that draw together all relevant international stakeholders to tackle a major European challenge or need. In the first phase of such an initiative, the members of the platform must develop a vision that leads to the creation of an action plan, or road map. During the second phase, which could last a decade or more, the platform will then oversee and coordinate the implementation of that road map. EURAB sets out five guiding principles for the establishment of European Technology Platforms. First, the challenge to be addressed must be major, and the response long term in nature. Technology platforms 'are not short term, problem solving devices,' argues the report. A second and related principle states that platforms should only be established when there is a well defined European strategic need for such an instrument. 'To affect change across national, industrial and technological boundaries, platforms must create strong political support and be highly visible at a European, [and even] a global level,' the report adds. The fourth point is also considered by EURAB to be a key success factor, namely that platforms are driven by actors from the application or 'problem' end of the innovation process, rather than by policy makers. The final guiding principle specified in the report states that: 'There must be a road map with a longer term vision, a sound strategy for achieving this vision and a detailed action plan for carrying out the necessary activities.' EURAB warns that technology platforms must not be considered the answer to everything, concluding that 'If they become simply the fashion of the year, they will lose their value and industry will refuse to participate.'