Human Resources and Mobility in the European Research Area Georges Bingen European Commission, DG Research
Europe needs researchers The European Research Area (1/2000) The Lisbon European Council (3/2000) • The Commission together with the Member States must take the necessary steps to remove obstacles to mobility of researchers in Europe The Barcelona European Council (3/2002) • Devote 3% of GDP to research by 2010
Weakness?
is not the number and quality of PhD …
But the number of researchers…
and the percentage of female researchers
Europe needs researchers An integrated strategy for the development of Human Resources in R&D in Europe 1. Reinforcing funding 2. Fostering career prospects at all career stages 3. Promoting gender equality 4. Improving a favourable environment for researchers in Europe
A Mobility Strategy for the ERA June 2001 – now • A Mobility Strategy for the European Research Area (COM(2001) 331 final) • Resolution from the Council • Decision to create a “Steering Group” in February 2002 • First Implementation Report 2/2003 • Second implementation report 4/2004 • Third implementation report 4/2005
Progress made so far • The European Researcher‘s Mobility Portal • The European Network of Mobility Centres ERA-MORE • Commission Recommendation on the European Charter for Researchers and a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers • Proposal for a Directive on the “scientific visa“ • 2005 Researchers in Europe Initiative
The European Researcher’s Mobility Portal Access to already existing national and international web-sources throughout Europe • fellowships/grants/research jobs • information about issues related to a move from one country to another • information about research policies/other career resources for European researchers
The European Researcher’s Mobility Portal A Portal which offers many services such as: • Organisations can advertise directly their vacancies or transfer their own data • Researchers can post their CV • Personalised assistance through ERA-MORE
The European Researcher’s Mobility Portal http://europa.eu.int/eracareers
The ERA-MORE Network Offers researchers and their families comprehensive and up-to-date information, tailor-made and personalised assistance in all matters relating to their professional and daily lives: entry conditions (visa requirements), work permits, job opportunities, salaries and taxation, pension rights, health care, social security, accommodation, day care and schooling, language courses, general culture of the host country, intellectual property rights, recognition of diploma etc.
The ERA-MORE Network Each Mobility Centre • acts as a point of entry for researchers looking for practical information and guidance • fulfils its information and assistance task either by direct proximity assistance or by directing the person(s) concerned to the appropriate specialised centre
The ERA-MORE Network • Launch of ERA-MORE: June 2004 • 200 Mobility Centres in Europe • Mapping exercise at national level to identify the Mobility Centres and “bridgehead organisations” • EC contribution for the start-up phase on the basis of national work programmes • First Annual conference: December 2004 • Networking activities at European level
A strategy for enhancing careers of researchers in Europe Communication “Researchers in the ERA – one profession, multiple careers” (July 2003) Council Resolution on the profession and careers of researchers (Nov. 2003) Recommendation on the European Charter for Researchers and a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (March 2005)
European Charter for researchers and Code of conduct for the recruitment of researchers
• Recommendation from the Commission to the Member States, employers, funders, researchers • Fruit of broad consultation process • To be implemented on a voluntary basis
European Charter for researchers and Code of conduct for the recruitment of researchers Why such instruments? • Differences of career structures in Europe • Fragmentation at local/regional/national level • Close, non transparent and local recrutiment procedures • Lack of career development prospects
European Charter for Researchers
Reference point for the career management Enhancing and maintaining a supportive research environment and working culture within which researchers act as professionals and employers/funders recognise researchers as professionals
European Charter for Researchers RESEARCHERS: • Research freedom/ethical principles • Professional responsibility and contractual obligation • Accountability • Dissemination, exploitation of results • Supervision/managerial duties • Continuing professional development
EMPLOYERS/FUNDERS: • Working conditions, stability of employment, salaries • Value of mobility • Career development • Gender issues • Intellectual Property Rights • Co-authorship • Teaching • Appraisal systems • Participation in decision making bodies
Code of Conduct for the recruitment
Reference point for transparency in recruitment processes • • • • •
Recruitment and Selection Judging merit Recognition of the mobility experience Recognition of qualifications Postdoctoral appointment
European Charter for researchers and Code of conduct for the recruitment of researchers Member States are invited: • To take principles/requirements into account for their HRM strategies, for their institutional quality assurance mechanisms • To continue efforts to overcome obstacles to mobility • To put in place monitoring structures • To inform Commission about measures taken for the application of the Recommendation
The 2005 Researcher’s in Europe Initiative Awareness-raising campaign: • Promote a better public understanding of the contribution of researchers to society • Encourage more young people to embark on careers in R&D • Contribute to the overall attractiveness of the EU as a reference area for research talent from all over the world http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/researchersineurope
Attracting researchers to Europe – “scientific visa” Proposal for a Directive and two Recommendations aiming at the improvement of condition of admission of Third Country Researchers in Europe (16 March 2004) • Fast track procedure for researchers • Involvement of research organisations (“hosting agreement”)
Towards FP7 – “People” programme Suggested priorities: • Marie Curie Networks for early stage researchers • Individual Fellowships for life-long training & Career development • International dimension • Industry involvement • Women ~10% of total budget
Thank you for your attention.
Commission Contact Person : Annegret Ziller European Commission The Human Factor, Mobility and Marie Curie Actions Strategy and Policy Aspects Tel. +32/2/2991822
[email protected]