The European Commission has established the European Research Area Board (ERAB) as the new consultative body responsible for advising the EU on the realisation of the European Research Area (ERA).
22 people will make up ERAB, coming from the fields of science, academia and business. The aim of the body is to provide "independent and authoritative advice to the European Commission on European research and science policy".
Despite claims by Janez Potocnik, Commissioner for Science and Research, that civil society is crucial for ERA, DG Research has nominated no civil society representative to this high level Advisory Group.
The members of ERAB have been appointed in a personal capacity and were proposed by an independent high-level committee consisting of Ms Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former President of the Republic of Latvia, Dr Andrew Dearing, Secretary General of the European Industrial Research Management Association, and Ms Claudie Haigneré, former French Minister of Research and New Technologies (2002-4) and European Affairs (2004-5).
EPHA is disappointed by the lack of representation of civil society, and calls on the Commissioner to demonstrate his commitment to the importance of civil society and prove this is not merely political rhetoric.
List of 22 Nominees to the European Research Area Board (ERAB)
For further information
European Research Area Board (ERAB)
European Commission
DG Research
Republic of Latvia
European Industrial Research Management Association
EPHA related articles
**Updated** Current EU research policy
New plans to improve European Research
The SPHERE Project - Strengthening Public Health Research in Europe
