Highlights from e-EPS: Gender Manifesto / Energy Conference / ERASMUS Anniversary

e-EPS News is a monthly addition to the CERN Bulletin line-up, showcasing articles from e-EPS – the European Physical Society newsletter – as part of a collaboration between the two publications.

Manifesto on the Gender Dimension in Research

Interested parties are encouraged to sign the Manifesto for Integrated Action on the Gender Dimension in Research and Innovation. The manifesto discusses potential actions to enhance research and innovation by addressing gender equality issues.

The manifesto follows on from the European Commission public consultation on the green paper “What actions should be taken at EU level to further strengthen the role of women in science and innovation?”, which received 300 responses, and the subsequent 2011 European Gender Summit, which was attended by over 400 stakeholders.

To date, over 2,800 people have signed the manifesto. For more information, and to sign the manifesto, please visit the gender summit website.

Second European Energy Conference

The Second European Energy Conference (E2C) is being held at the Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre, in the Netherlands, on 17-20 April this year. The event, part of a bi-annual series, will act as a forum for the discussion and definition of the role of energy science and research in the future European energy system.

The conference programme will consist of morning plenary lectures, covering overarching subjects of energy and associated climate research, with afternoon symposiums focusing on the essential key fields in the development of our future energy system. The conference will conclude with a panel discussion on the European dimension of research and development.

For more information, and for registration, please visit the conference website.

ERASMUS programme celebrates 25th anniversary

2012 marks the silver anniversary of the European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students (ERASMUS), the European Union’s best known and most popular student exchange programme.

In commemoration of this milestone a series of national festivities, to be held throughout the year, were announced at the end of January by the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, Androulla Vassiliou.

Close to three million students have benefited from a study period or work placement abroad since the establishment of the programme in 1987.

by Hendrik Ferdinande and Ian Randall