Current issue 1-2025
Public engagement in science
The ERC's Public Engagement with Research Award (PERA) celebrates outstanding science communicators among ERC grantees who successfully engage audiences beyond their scientific discipline. This edition of ERC Magazine brings together perspectives from the 2024 PERA winners, whose approaches - ranging from citizen science to media outreach and interactive public engagement - demonstrate how frontier research can be made accessible, transparent, and engaging for all. Complementing these interviews, Professor Luke O'Neill, member of the ERC Scientific Council and renowned science communicator, reflects on why public engagement matters for scientists, and how it enriches both their work and their connection with society.
Editorial – Why public engagement with research matters
The importance of public engagement in research cannot be overstated in an era where scientific advancements shape our world. The ERC’s Public Engagement in Research Award (PERA) plays a significant role in encouraging ERC-funded researchers to share their work with the…
The importance of public engagement in research cannot be overstated in an era where scientific advancements shape our world. The ERC’s Public…
The importance of public engagement in research cannot be overstated in an era where scientific advancements shape our world. The ERC’s Public Engagement in Research Award (PERA) plays a significant role in encouraging ERC-funded researchers to share their work with the…
Featured articles
Farewell message from Jean-Pierre Bourguignon
Greek perspective from a new ERC Vice President
We spoke to Professor Nektarios Tavernarakis about his new role as Vice-President of the ERC, his research into ageing, and his conviction that Europe needs “more ERC”. Could you share an overview of your scientific background and research career?…
New ERC Vice-President widens ERC horizons
We spoke to Professor Andrzej Jajszczyk about his background in telecommunications research, his new role as Vice-President of the ERC and his thoughts about the future of the ERC. @ Jan ZychI received my Masters degree from Poznan University of…
Facing challenges at a critical time: Jean-Pierre Bourguignon back at the ERC
As Germany has just taken over the Presidency of the EU, let me take you back to the ERC’s launch ceremony in Berlin in 2007, during the previous German EU Presidency. Then, Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that “The ERC could become a Champions’…
ERC welcomes the first Croatian member of the Scientific Council
New ERC Scientific Council Member, linguist Milena Žic Fuchs, discusses her passion for cognitive linguistics and science policy. She also reflects on some of the challenges in the Croatian research landscape. You are the first Croatian member of…
Interpreting messages from the earth’s interior
Barbara Romanowicz, geophysicist and expert on imaging the earth's interior, has been a member of the ERC’s Scientific Council since 2016. She explains the nature of her research, its reach across the planet and also updates us on gender issues…
Farewell from Jean-Pierre Bourguignon
As the year draws to a close (and my mandate too for that matter), the time has come for me to look back at my past six momentous years at the helm of the ERC. I feel I have much to look back on and be grateful for – it has been a truly exhilarating…
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