Prof. Arben Merkoçi appointed Chair of the ERA’s Working Group of the European Federation of Academies of Sciences

by Virginia Greco

As the Chair of the Working Group on the European Research Area (ERA), ICN2 group leader Prof. Merkoçi will contribute to foster European research collaboration and innovation.

On 15 June 2023, ICREA Prof. Arben Merkoçi, leader of the ICN2 Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group and a member of the Academy of Science of Albania, was officially introduced as the new Chair of the Working Group on the ERA, during the first meeting of the year of the group. His appointment, made by the Board of the European Federation of Academies of Sciences (ALLEA) following a proposal from the ALLEA Presidency, was met with warm congratulations and well wishes from the members of the Federation. Prof. Merkoçi takes over this position from Prof. Kerstin Sahlin, from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, who held it for two years (2021-2023).

ALLEA, the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities, represents over 50 Academies from approximately 40 EU and non-EU countries. The federation promotes science as a global public good, facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration, and fosters scientific cooperation across borders. Comprising distinguished scientists from various fields, Academies are independent bodies dedicated to advancing science and scholarship. ALLEA aims to improve research conditions, provide independent interdisciplinary science advice, and strengthen the role of science in society. Their efforts include offering science-based guidance on societal matters and engaging the public in scientific reasoning and values.

The European Research Area (ERA) envisions a unified and borderless market for research, innovation, and technology across the EU. While the ERA has been in development since 2000, recent initiatives, such as the Pact for Research and Innovation and the ERA Policy Agenda by the European Commission, aim to revitalize the commitment of Member States to enhance research circulation, excellence, and cooperation.

The ALLEA Working Group on the ERA plays a crucial role in the further development, political framework, implementation, and monitoring of the ERA. Comprising experts with diverse backgrounds and representing different geographical regions, the group effectively reflects the ERA's heterogeneous nature. By collaborating with European institutions, particularly the European Commission, and engaging with umbrella organizations in the research and innovation landscape, the working group contributes to shaping and advancing the ERA's objectives.