Empowering European Research: Highlights from the Cross-Alliances Forum 2023

Last 30^th November and 1^st December 2023, the Arqus Alliance participated in the Science with and for Society in European Alliances: Cross-Alliances Forum 2023 (SwafS Forum 2023). This event, held in Brussels, highlighted the advancements achieved by 37 Alliances, Arqus among them, in their pursuit of fostering the exchange of valuable insights regarding the development of a common R&I European Research Agenda.

As underscored by Manuel Aleixo (Head of Unit ERA Spreading Excellence & Research Careers, DG RTD) and March Tachelet (Director of the European Research Executive Agency) during their speeches to an audience of more than 230 participants, Alliances and European Commission’s collective efforts are being dedicated to positioning Europe as the most attractive destination for research and encouraging a culture that fosters individuals to become researchers.

At the plenary sessions, all speakers agreed that the time is now to influence the policymakers, especially in securing adequate funding for the ambitious goals of these Alliances.

Arqus, together with the other 10 organizing European Universities, pooled their forces to initiate workshops and roundtables with professionals from various fields and all participating Alliances and external stakeholders.

Discussions were focused on Human Resources issues, advancing common science agendas, SwafS projects’ input for future developments of the Alliances and inter- and trans-disciplinarity in research management. Arqus contributed to the ongoing debate around the reform of the research assessment systems and the role of technologies in guaranteeing research ethics and integrity.

On 30^th November, Joachim Reidl, Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Graz, presented the pilot on research assessment reform that is being carried out within the Alliance during the Workshop “Reforming Research Assessment”. Javier Valls, Full Professor of Law at the University of Granada and European Commision Advisor on Artificial Intelligence, participated in the Roundtable “Research Ethics & Integrity: The Role of New Technologies” held on 1^st December.

The emphasis was put on curiosity-driven, responsible and transparent research, collaboration over competition and dissemination of findings to society. Pivotal discussions and experience exchange played a crucial role in making informed decisions for the future, promoting impactful, quality-driven projects.

During an interactive poster session, the Alliances showcased their best results, and participants shared their best practices and valuable insights regarding seven transformational modules. Arqus participated in this session with a poster on mainstreaming Open Science practices presented by the Arqus R.I. Project Officer, Luisa Bernstorff. The Arqus Alliance’s poster and the ones from other Alliances are available online and ready to download here.  

European Commission members Tine Delva (Deputy Head of Unit, DG EAC) and Stijn Delauré (Policy Officer, DG RTD) participated in the wrap-up, expressing satisfaction with the growing impact of the Alliances. The Alliances, through their SwafS projects, gained invaluable knowledge. Minna Wilkki (Head of Department C at the European Research Executive Agency) claimed that “European Universities Alliances are on the right path to being pioneers of change”. The Arqus R.I Project Officer, Luisa Bernstorff, stated that “the event remarkably achieved its objective of fostering meaningful dialogues between Alliances and external stakeholders, striving to explore diverse models and pathways leading to excellence within the European Research & Innovation (R&I) ecosystem”.

Watch the replay of the event at Science with and for Society in European Universities Alliances: Cross-Alliances forum 2023 – YouTube and its photo gallery.