Call for nominations for the ALLEA Working Group European Research Area

The ALLEA Working Group Horizon Europe will be continuing its work under a new chairperson, Kerstin Sahlin of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and widening its strategic priorities to focus more on the development, implementation and monitoring of the European Research Area under the new name Working Group European Research Area (ERA). 

The group will address strategic issues of importance to accomplish the ERA such as free circulation, research inequalities and widening participation, young researchers, academic freedom, and global approaches to R&I. 

Working group members are expected to play an active role in the work of the group, contributing to discussions, outputs, and communication and dissemination activities. The programme of action will include engaging with the European Institutions, particularly the European Commission, on the development of the ERA, its implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The group will also continue to contribute to the monitoring and shaping of EU research and innovation framework programmes. The working group meets approximately three times per year depending on our deliberations, planned outputs, and the wishes of the group itself. It is anticipated that some meetings will be held in person and some online. 

It is envisaged that the first meeting of the new working group will take place virtually on 7 October 2021. Thus, ALLEA is now inviting national academies such as the Royal Irish Academy to nominate candidates who might be interested in joining the working group.  To express an interest in being nominated by the Royal Irish Academy, please submit the following to policy@ria.ie by midday on Wednesday 4, August 2021: a CV and a short outline of your relevant expertise.

This opportunity is publicly advertised by the Royal Irish Academy. 

All expressions of interest received will be considered by the Academy’s Policy Oversight Group- the unit tasked with advising upon the initiation and implementation of all of the Academy’s policy and international activities and responsible for overseeing a standardised quality process for all outputs. Chaired by the Academy’s Secretary of Policy and International Relations, the six members of this group are all elected Members of the Royal Irish Academy and come from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds in several institutions across the island of Ireland- both north and south of the border. On occasions, the Policy Oversight Group may also consult additional experts to inform their assessments and evaluations.

The Royal Irish Academy values diversity and strives for a culture of equality and inclusion in all of its activities. As outlined in its Strategic Plan 2019-2023, the Academy is committed to ensuring greater gender, disciplinary, institutional and overall diversity in every area of the Academy and its work throughout the island of Ireland.  It particularly welcomes nominations from under-represented groups and communities.

As women are underrepresented in the Academy’s participation in international collaborative activities, nominations of women are particularly welcome.

Information for member academies: nominating representatives for ALLEA Working Groups

About ALLEA

ALLEA is the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities, representing more than 50 academies from over 40 countries in Europe. Since its foundation in 1994, ALLEA speaks out on behalf of its members on the European and international stages, promotes science as a global public good, and facilitates scientific collaboration across borders and disciplines. 

Nomination and selection process 

•  Academies may nominate any representative with the relevant expertise and according to the procedure described in the respective call for nominations.
• Academies are usually represented by one member per WG. Where justified, academies can be represented by two members who may alternate and/or share the mandate for their home academy. Academies wishing to be represented by two members should specify the reasons when submitting their nominations. 
•  When working groups undergo a process of re-composition, academies may renominate their current WG members.
• The suitability of nominees is assessed by the working group chair and ALLEA Board liaison, who may also consult further members of the working group, ALLEA Board or presidency as necessary. 

Membership in ALLEA Working Groups (WGs)

•  While WG group membership does not come with a minimum or maximum term, academies are encouraged to consider regular rotation and renewal of its representation in ALLEA WGs.
• WG chairs and other WG members with a significant role in the work of the group may be accompanied by support staff. Unless officially nominated as representatives by the home academy, support staff are not members of the working group.

Operational procedures

• ALLEA WGs are active scientific committees that require commitment from their members in the form of, for example, contributing to written outputs and events, and disseminating WG outputs within their academies.
• WGs usually meet at least twice per year, and may meet as often as their work plan necessitates. WG meetings may be held in person or online at the discretion of the WG members.
• The nominating academies are expected to cover the travel and accommodation expenses incurred by their representatives in relation to WG activities. 

Nominating academies are welcome to host WG meetings on their premises. Alternatively, ALLEA can offer to host meetings in its facilities in Berlin and Brussels. 

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