Hello and welcome to the September edition of Brussels News Updates, the monthly EuChemS newsletter keeping you up to date on the latest chemistry related science-policy issues, news and upcoming events and awards. With the summer holidays now behind us, we can take stock of what lies ahead, including potential transformations at the EU level with the appointment of a new Commissioner for Research and Innovation, updates on the Horizon Europe framework programme, the recent call for nominations for three major EuChemS awards, and the publication of ‘Women in their Element’, a book which delves into the stories of women who shaped the Periodic Table.
Happy reading,
You can read the full newsletter online here.
European Highlights, Research, Innovation, Education, Entrepreneurship
EuChemS responds to European Commission's consultation on Horizon Europe Co-design 2021-2024
The European Commission recently launched a ‘co-design’ consultation which intends to foster greater debate and encourage feedback from a variety of stakeholders.
EuChemS’ response to the consultation emphasises that Horizon Europe should continue to support excellence, notably through the European Research Council (ERC) and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. EuChemS moreover underlined the need to enable broad third country participation to preserve and enhance international collaboration. Read the full debrief here.
Bulgaria’s Mariya Gabriel nominated as Commissioner for research, innovation and education
Under the title ‘Innovation and Youth’, Bulgaria’s Mariya Gabriel will take charge of a portfolio that covers research, innovation, education and sports, and which will include overseeing Horizon Europe, the future funding programme as well as the Erasmus+ programme.However some organisations have also questioned the lack of the words ‘research’ or ‘science’ featuring in the job title. Read the full story.
‘Women in their Element’: new book sheds light on the role of women in the building of the Periodic Table
Edited by Brigitte van Tiggelen, Chair, and Annette Lykknes, Vice-Chair, of the EuChemS Working Party for the History of Chemistry, and including the work of several authors, ‘Women in their Element’ opens the door to the stories often forgotten or unstudied of how women shaped the Periodic Table, and Chemistry as a whole. It moreover includes a preface by EuChemS President Pilar Goya, and IUPAC Past-President Natalia Tarasova. You can find out more about the book here.
Chemistry meets Industry & Society: A creative showcase conference, Salerno
From 28 – 30 August 2019, chemists, researchers and industry representatives met in the Italian town of Salerno for a breakthrough-type international conference: a creative showcase conference which would explore the interactions between research, industry and society within the field of Chemistry. EuChemS President Pilar Goya was invited to speak about EuChemS' latest activities and initiatives. Read more about it here.
Study reveals that collaborative dynamics for research networks are on the rise between EU countries
A study in the Journal of European Planning Studies has shed light on the growing integration between EU countries on research networks. Read more about the results and what they mean here.
The European Food Safety Agency publishes latest report on pesticide residues in food
The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has published a report on pesticide residues in food. The study, which analysed some 88,000 samples in Europe, found that 96% of food samples were found to be free of pesticide residues or to contain traces that fell within legally allowed levels. Two fun infographics have been prepared where you can check the results per food or per country. For the longer read, click here.
European Chemicals Agency warns of no-deal Brexit effects on downstream users
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is urging companies to seriously prepare for a no-deal Brexit scenario, due to take place on 31 October 2019. The warning encourages downstream users especially, who may rely on supply chains originating from a UK-based REACH registration, to prepare for the eventuality of a no deal. Read the full story here.
EuChemS General Assembly 2019, Bucharest
The upcoming EuChemS General Assembly and its Professional Networks meetings will be held in Bucharest, Romania in the first week of October where it will be hosted by the Romanian Chemical Society. The meetings will enable EuChemS’s member societies from discussing future activities and initiatives, as well as the many IYPT activities and events of the year. The meetings will as always allow representatives to share ideas and of strengthening links across borders.
Consultations & Roadmap
Take part in co-designing Horizon Europe!
EuChemS has already submitted its response, but you can also respond in a personal capacity to the European Commission’s consultation on the priorities of Horizon Europe. Deadline: end of September.
More information here.
European Partnership for clean hydrogen (Horizon Europe programme)
The European Commission has launched an initiative which aims to help create a clean hydrogen sector in Europe.
If you would like to contribute to an EuChemS response, please drop us a line.
Deadline for feedback: 6 November 2019
Fundings, Nominations & Awards
EuChemS opens calls for three of its awards
The call for submissions for three major EuChemS awards were opened on 1 September. These include the:
- EuChemS Historical Landmarks Award
- EuChemS Lecture Award
- EuChemS Service Award
Deadline: 31 December 2019
More information about the awards here.
Just 2 weeks left to submit a nomination for the European Gold Medal Award
There are now just two weeks left to submit your nomination for the next Gold Medal awardee. Submissions can be made here.
EuChemS Events
15th International Conference on Polysaccharides-Glycoscience (15th ICPG)
13 – 15 November 2019
Prague, Czechia
Website: https://bit.ly/2meEo7Z
3rd International Caparica Christmas Conference on Translational Chemistry
2 – 5 December 2019
Caparica, Portugal
Website: https://bit.ly/2lKzgIw
Avogadro Colloquia 2019 (AC 2019)
17 – 18 December 2019
Rome, Italy
Website: https://bit.ly/2k90TKG
EuChemS aisbl - Rue du Trône 62, 1050, Brussels, Belgium; www.euchems.eu. Produced for EuChemS by Nineta Hrastelj, Alex Schiphorst and Marta Kucza. This newsletter has been carefully prepared and only contains correct information to the best of EuChemS´ knowledge, however this does not exclude the possibility of existence of incorrect information. EuChemS cannot be liable for the use or misuse of any information, whether correct or incorrect, present at this newsletter. Intellectual property belongs to its rightful owners, always explicitly traceable on each article. Compilation Copyright © 2019 EuChemS