The challenge is to promote the opening of research databases for low-carbon energy in Europe, and to support a European-level approach to defining the development of future research data bases; this action focuses on the area of low-carbon energy. As the energy transition combines different scientific disciplines, particular attention has to be paid to agreed metadata in order to allow for the joint exploitation of data from these disciplines.
Every two years, the exceptional achievements of one scientist working in the field of chemistry in Europe are rewarded. The winner is awarded a gold medal and the opportunity to give the opening lecture at the next EuChemS Chemistry Congress (ECC). The call for nominations is open until 30 September 2019.
What’s the extent of microplastics in urban wastewater? Time until 30 June for water utilities or expert labs to join the campaign for EU-wide assessment on the occurrence of microplastics in wastewater https://t.co/irYbWTC6KC
On the first ever World Food Safety Day, a new Eurobarometer survey by EFSA (the European Food Safety Agency) was published. The survey looked at how European citizens think about food safety, what their concerns are, and how it impacts their consumption.
Interestingly, there was no one single over-riding safety concern. Instead, Europeans cited a number of issues, of which three surfaced most frequently: the misuse of antibiotics, hormones and steroids in farm animals, pesticide residues in food, and food additives. Moreover, two in five Europeans take a personal interest in food safety, while only one in five say it is their main concern when choosing food. Other factors such as price, taste, nutrition and food origin especially, play important role in influencing and determining eating habits. The concerns over GMOs which a few years ago were particularly discussed are less prominent today, whereas new issues such as the trace of microplastics in food have appeared. The figures also reveal important differences across EU countries.
In a positive turn, 82% of Europeans place their highest level of trust in scientists when it comes to information on food risks. This is an increase from 73% in 2010, and comes before trust in consumer organisations, farmers, national authorities and European Union institutions.
On 5 June 2019 we celebrated the United Nations World Environment Day, aimed an encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment. Organised since 1974, the day focuses around a specific theme to draw attention to a particularly pressing environmental concern, with this year looking at air pollution. The day asked citizens worldwide to think about the different types of pollution, how it affects our health and environment, and ways of tackling issues and improving the air around us.
The proposal put forward by the European Commission last year to ban 10 plastic items most often found on European beaches, and which was adopted by the European Parliament, has now been officially adopted by EU ministers. The new rules, which also aim to tackle abandoned fishing gear and oxo-degradable plastics, focus on items such as plastic cutlery, plates and straws – all of which have alternatives that can be made easily available and affordable. Read the European Council press release here.
Following the results of the EU elections, we take stock of what to expect for science in Europe for the next few years. Some of the main figureheads of the planning and design of Horizon Europe have been re-elected, including MEP Dan Nica of Romania and Germany’s MEP Christian Ehler, which may suggest some continuity in the planning.
So, what happens now that the EU elections are over? Until early July, newly elected Members of the Parliament will form political groups. At the same time, the European Council will discuss possible candidates for the presidency of the European Commission, which will then be proposed to the European Parliament in July for an election by majority of its component members. EU countries then have September and October to designate commissioners, with the inauguration of the new European Commission planned for November this year. During this time, the European Parliament’s Committees (such as the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)) will be formed with the aim of working on ‘paused’ legislation from the outgoing Parliament and on new files. Take a look at this handy European Parliament graphic to better understand the timeline, and read Science/Business’ pertinent analysis of what the election results mean here.
How will European countries successfully compete with the research and innovation capacity of such countries as the United States or China? How can European science best be supported and encouraged? What role can Chemistry play in shaping the EU’s next research framework programme Horizon Europe? EuChemS’ Science Communication & Policy Officer Alex Schiphorst delves into these questions in a recent article published in Open Access Government.
The EuChemS Executive Board met on 13 – 14 June in Brussels for two days of active discussions on a broad range of topics, including the latest debates and news on Plan S and the Open Science Policy Platform (OSPP), as well as on the activities taking place in light of the International Year of the Periodic Table (IYPT2019). Jan Reedijk, co-chair of the InterUnion Management Committee IYPT2019, joined the meeting to present some of the initiatives held so far and those still to come. The Board also welcomed the EYCN’s new Chair, Antonio M Rodriguez Garcia to his first Executive Board meeting (where he was accompanied by the EYCN’s adopted mascot, professor Chem Chicken). The Executive Board in turn discussed persisting issues linked to gender balance within the sciences amongst other topics. Finally, discussions focused on the next EuChemS Chemistry Congress to be held in Lisbon, Portugal in 2020.
EuChemS attended the 3rd meeting of the second mandate of the Open Science Policy Platform (OSPP), an Expert Group that advises the European Commission on how to develop open science policy, and on which EuChemS is represented) in April in Bucharest, Romania. Discussions during this third meeting focused on the changing scholarly publishing landscape and whether and how the OSPP should look beyond the remit of its mandate. Representatives in turn deliberated on solutions to move from a “reflection mode” to an “implementation mode” that would provide the European Commission with a clearer set of steps forward.
OSPP members were also invited to submit feedback on the report on the future of scholarly communications prepared by the Expert Group. EuChemS published a position paper which highlights its views on what lies ahead, what role Learned Societies can and will play, and how stakeholder cooperation and dialogue will be crucial to encourage a sustainable and quality scholarly communications landscape.
The next OSPP meeting will take place in October 2019 in Helsinki, Finland, where, amongst a range of topics, the role of open science in the Horizon Europe research framework programme will be discussed.
Following the analysis of some 600 responses to the call for feedback on the Plan S implementation guidelines, cOAlition S (a coalition of funders with the aim of pushing through a rapid transition to open access publishing) has published its updated implementation guidelines.
The main change is that the plan is now set to be implemented in 2021 rather than 2020. But many scientists and researchers remain concerned that the changes have not gone far enough to alleviate remaining worries.
EuChemS has acknowledged the work that has been done in order to evaluate the large amount of feedback received. However, many issues continue to persist, most notably the fact that cOAlition S’ stance on other forms of journals as well as on embargo periods has not changed. EuChemS is moreover concerned that the points of view of Learned Societies has not been taken into enough consideration or invited to play a greater role in the debate. Read our full response here.
118th General Assembly of the German Bunsen Society for Physical Chemistry (Bunsentagung 2019)
Jena, Germany
30 May – 1 June 2019
Website: http://bit.ly/2GjnaOh
The European Commission has opened the call for applications for selecting members of the commission expert groups on five ‘Missions’ within the Horizon Europe programme. The missions include: adaptation to climate change; cancer; healthy oceans, seas coastal and inland waters; climate-neutral and smart cities; soil health and food.
Each of the Mission Boards will consists of up to 15 members appointed for up to 18 months, and meeting for a minimum of 4 times per year to discuss and accomplish the various tasks associated with the definition of specific missions and the design of their implementation.
Every two years, the exceptional achievements of one scientist working in the field of chemistry in Europe are rewarded. The winner is awarded a gold medal and the opportunity to give the opening lecture at the next EuChemS Chemistry Congress (ECC). The call for nominations is open until 30 September 2019. Submissions can be made here.
EuChemS was once again pleased to have been able to attend the European Chemistry Thematic Network Association (ECTN) General Assembly in Krakow, Poland in April. Discussions focused on the recent developments regarding the Eurolabels® as well as the EChemTest®. Collaboration between EuChemS and ECTN is also set to continue, notably with the next joint project for the Employment Survey of European Chemists.
The European institutions have long been criticised for their bureaucracy and lengthy reaction time. The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (referred to as DG RTD) is attempting to change that by approving a new “matrix” design and structure for their administration. The new structure, more reminiscent of company designs, is aimed to significantly make things more flexible and modern. Whilst in the past specific policy areas were clearly divided, the new design allows much broader overlap and enables teams to work on a greater diversity of topics or to relate them better to each other. The DG RTD hopes to also work in a more efficient manner with the other Directorate-Generals, whose areas of focus also often overlap. Read the full ScienceBusiness article here. You can also download the new organigram here.
The European Commission appointed on 14 May, Mauro Ferrari, an Italian nanoscientist known for his leadership role in the founding of the field of nanomedicine, as the next President of the European Research Council (ERC). He will take up his new role in January 2020 for a 4-year term of office, replacing the current President, Jean-Pierre Bourguignon.
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