Joint Chairs:
Expanding Joint Chair Rights in Greece
Unlocking Greece’s Research Potential: Strengthening the ERA Chair Initiative
The Deon Policy Institute’s proposal for ERA Chairs is designed to unlock Greece’s research potential by offering international scientists more flexibility and opportunities. By allowing them to maintain positions abroad, access local funding, and create innovations, Greece can further develop its research environment and attract top-tier talent. This initiative will enhance the country’s role in Europe’s academic landscape and help foster a thriving innovation ecosystem, supporting long-term economic growth and positioning Greece as a leader in global research and development.
Proposal Overview
The Deon Policy Institute has put forward a proposal to improve Greece’s research environment, particularly for ERA Chair holders. This proposal aims to help Greece better utilize the growing pool of international research talent by addressing current gaps in the legal framework.
Why Now?
With Greece’s increasing success in securing ERA Chair funding, there’s a real opportunity to further develop the country’s research landscape. These changes will help Greece unlock the full potential of these scientists.
Key Proposal Recommendations:
Allow Flexibility: Let ERA Chairs keep their positions at other institutions while working in Greece.
Empower Researchers: Allow ERA Chairs to hire their own teams.
Support Funding: Enable ERA Chairs to apply for local research grants.
Enable Innovation: Encourage the creation of spin-offs, patents, and intellectual property.
Promote Change: Create structures that enable researchers to submit proposals for institutional improvements.
Create Continuity: Establish a permanent position for the research to continue beyond the ERA Chair program, as dictated by the European Commission.
Looking Forward:
By adopting these recommendations, Greece can better align with European Commission goals, helping to make the country a leader in research and innovation in Europe.
Our Recommendations have been implemented:
In March 2024, the Greek Parliament ratified Law 5094, aiming to increase the country’s public education quality. This law included five out of six of our recommendations regarding the expansion of joint chairs(Article #84).
Project Contributors
President of Deon Policy Institute
Executive Director of Deon Policy Institute
Acknowledgments
Panagiotis Kastritis
ERA Chair Holder, National Hellenic Research Foundation
Alexandros Stamatakis
ERA Chair Holder, Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH)
Georgios Spyroulias
ERA Chair Coordinator for the position holder Anastasios Perrakis, University of Patras
Georgios Skretas
ERA Chair Holder, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”
Related Articles
Yes, they came to Greece to conduct research
by Apostolos Lakasas
Kathimerini - April 23, 2024
7 scientists living abroad received a 2.5 million euro grant each to conduct a research in Greece through the European Research Area (ERA) Chair program. In fact, Greece was by far the largest recipient of grants, 21% of the total funding issued by the European Commission. The journalist Apostolos Lakasas, asked Deon Policy Institute co-founders Georgios Laskaris and Afroditi Xydi to share their perspective about the impact such a program can have on the Greek research ecosystem.