Realising a single labour market for researchers: Report of the ERA Expert Group

Abstract

It has become increasingly evident that a more concerted strategy is necessary to address the human resources needs of the European Research Area (ERA). Such a strategy should establish realistic goals and develop clear methods for their implementation. The present Report addresses the Policy Options that the Expert Group 'Realising a single labour market for researchers' (EG Researchers) has identified in order to ensure more attractive careers for researchers and to progressively eliminate the obstacles hampering their mobility. We have chosen an architectural image in order to highlight the complementary nature of the components of the tetrahedral structure that we have conceived. For each of the proposed four cornerstones we identify the obstacles and hindrances that, in our view, continue to hamper the development of ERA, and provide some 'case studies' in order to illustrate our concerns. We then provide Policy Options, some of which have already been successfully tested and could therefore be generalised almost immediately, others could be implemented progressively. The recommendations in this report are addressed to all bodies in receipt of public funds for research. This is meant to include the funding agencies who disburse funds and those who receive them, in the public and private sector (universities, research centres and companies). All must take individual and collective responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations; in our opinion they will determine whether Europe does indeed become a single labour market for researchers. We believe that the European Commission can take the lead by implementing the recommendations in the Seventh Framework Programme.

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