European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
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European Parliament Plenary Session – April 2021
Members of the European Parliament certainly have their work cut out for them this month with a very full agenda, featuring budgetary discharge in respect of EU financial management in 2019, spending plans for a number of EU programmes in 2021‑2027, and a number of other legislative proposals, including on the proposed digital green certificate. Continue reading
EPRS and OECD hold a joint conference on science and research
The Covid‑19 pandemic has mobilised tremendous efforts in scientific research, but also exposed its inefficiencies, according to analysts and policy-makers attending a joint event organised by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Continue reading
Coronavirus and the cost of non-Europe: An analysis of the economic benefits of common European action
Although the European Union is about much more than economics – promoting peace, common values, democratic governance, international development, human rights, health, social protection, research and innovation, and many other public goods – the process of European integration has been key to driving economic growth for half a century, generating significant gains in gross domestic product (GDP) for EU Member States both collectively and individually. Continue reading
EPRS workshop: early career researchers discuss the role of research in policy-making
While regular contact with researchers, academics and the broader policy-making community is part of our core business at the EPRS, it is always a particular pleasure to meet with PhD students and young researchers who are experts in regional policy. Continue reading
International research collaboration – a key feature of the new global science landscape
The phenomenal growth in collaboration between scientists and institutions located in different countries began 30 years ago, when the bipolar world, in which most internationally active scientists belonged either to the Soviet block or to Western countries, collapsed. Continue reading
Boosting cooperation on health technology assessment [EU Legislation in Progress]
The European Commission has proposed a regulation on health technology assessment (HTA). HTA is a research-based tool that supports decision-making in healthcare by assessing the added value of a given health technology compared to others. Continue reading
What if mini-brains could help us understand dementia? [Science and Technology Podcast]
Organoids are artificially grown organs that mimic the properties of real organs. What new possibilities for treating diseases, drug development, and personalised and regenerative medicine do organoids provide? Continue reading
How the Budget is spent: Horizon 2020
Horizon 2020 – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020) – is the successor to seven previous framework programmes. With a budget of over €70 billion, it is unique in the world, not only in terms of budget, but also duration and scope. Continue reading
Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) [EU Legislation in Progress]
Following a request made by nine Member States in December 2014, on 18 October 2016 the European Commission adopted a proposal to establish a new public-public Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) under Article 185 TFEU. Continue reading
Foresight: a policy tool for anticipating technology trends
Written by Lieve Van Woensel with Victoria Joseph, Since early 2015, the Science and Technology Options Assessment (STOA) Panel at the European Parliament, has been experimenting with science and technology foresight, to provide Members with insights that will help them anticipate possible future developments. Foresight is a fundamental path in policy-making, as policy-making is often … Continue reading
EU Research Policy: Tackling the major challenges facing European society
Written by Christian Salm, 2014 – 2020, EU funds for research and innovation near €120 billion. €31 billion of EU funds are set aside for research into societal challenges (2014 – 2020) A fully established European Research Area will generate annual gains of €16 billion. A European Research Area to boost growth and jobs in Europe In … Continue reading
What if computers were trillions of times faster? [Science and Technology Podcast]
Written by Lieve Van Woensel with James Tarlton, Could the theory of quantum mechanics one day revolutionise commonplace technical devices such as sensors, communication devices and computers? Quantum mechanics is a scientific theory that has revolutionised our understanding of the Universe. In the world of classical physics, a system is always in one particular state … Continue reading
12 graphs: Eleven sectors of ‘data users’
Written by Clare Ferguson, In 2016 we all became more aware of the enormous quantities of data we generate in our daily working and private lives, and the uses to which this data can be put. Analysis of ‘big data’ generated by economic and social activities can be used to improve processes or predict human … Continue reading
12 Graphs: Seven eminent scientists
Written by Clare Ferguson, Recent populist waves on both sides of the Atlantic have shown that that expert advice is more than ever distrusted and even flatly rejected. Will this trend continue next year? Or will people go back to considering evidence more thoroughly? Like it or not, politicians make decisions on policies that affect … Continue reading
What if electric cars became an affordable and convenient way to travel? [Science and Technology Podcast]
Written by Christian Kurrer with James Tarlton, Are electric cars on the verge of becoming the norm, should we encourage this transition, and what would be the consequences for the environment, the automobile industry and our electricity grid? Over the past century, cars have become an integral part of our society. They generally offer greater … Continue reading
Public-public partnerships in research
Written by Vincent Reillon, Since 1974, the objective of coordinating national research policies to create a pan-European research system has been at the heart of European research policy. However, despite a long history of efforts to coordinate research policy throughout the EU, barriers remain at Member State level. In 2000, the launch of the European … Continue reading
Economic impact of Big Data
Written by Eulalia Claros and Ron Davies, Advances in information and communication technologies, the increasing use of electronic devices and networks, and the digitalisation of production processes mean that vast quantities of data are generated daily by economic and social activities. This ‘big data’ can be transmitted, collected, aggregated and analysed to provide insights into … Continue reading
Scientific advice for policy-makers in the European Union [Policy Podcast]
Scientific knowledge has become a key element in the policy-making process, alongside societal values and political considerations. As a consequence, stronger science advice systems have been developed to provide timely and useful scientific advice to policy-makers in both legislative and executive bodies. Continue reading
The European Research Area in a nutshell
Written by VIncent Reillon, Thomas Zandstra and Christian Salm, The European Research Area (ERA) concept has shaped common European policy on research since 2000. However, despite positive developments in creating an integrated research area in Europe with 28 different research systems working together, the implementation of the ERA still faces challenges. Over 40 years after the … Continue reading
Quantum Technologies or how microscopic things can change our lives
Written by Nera Kuljanic and Sarah McCormack, Over the past 15 years the EU has been supporting research into quantum technologies. With a number of research projects being funded under the Horizon 2020 programme, the EU aims to stimulate interactions and collaborations amongst individuals and groups in Europe working in the field. Through the early … Continue reading
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