A new European Union research program could lead to more cooperation between scholars on both sides of the Atlantic.
On December 3, Concordia International and EURAXESS North America brought together a panel with expertise on EU/Canadian policy and research collaboration to discuss emerging opportunities for Canadian researchers.
Panel moderator Patrick Leroux, associate dean of research for Concordia’s Faculty of Arts and Science, says the university stands to gain by facilitating these discussions.
“For Concordia to be a significant part of the international research landscape, we need to help our researchers become actively engaged in multinational research teams that share methods, best practices, resources, and expertise,” he adds.
“Beyond the expanded funding possibilities, international collaborations offer opportunities for stimulating expansive research and for student and faculty mobility.”
More systematic support for collaborations
Julio Sevilla is international projects manager for Concordia International and an organizer of the event.
“Recent research and innovation policy developments in Canada and the EU promise an enhanced participation of Canadian researchers in European programs such as Horizon Europe 2021-27,” he says.
“This represents a good opportunity for Concordia researchers to continue building on their bilateral collaborations. We are here to support them.”
Invited guests included researchers from universities across the province, representatives of various European embassies and consulates and government officials from Quebec and Canada.
Dominique Bérubé, vice-president of research programs for the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), was one of the speakers at the event.
“This is an ongoing conversation between individual researchers, the community and the support agencies,” she says.
“We’re trying to give a stronger and more unified response to what the communities have been asking for, in terms of more systematic support to their collaboration.”