LEAPS convenes pan-EU debate on research infrastructures and societal challenges

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Key stakeholders from science, industry and policy invited to LEAPS Plenary Meeting in Switzerland to define synergies and strategies for more impactful cooperation

Shortly before the summer, the League of European Accelerator-based Photon Sources (LEAPS) – whose community features 19 of Europe’s most advanced research infrastructures and facilities (RIs) – launched ESAPS 2022, a milestone strategic plan to address urgent societal challenges and needs in what many see as a new era for research and innovation.

ESAPS 2022 is grounded in an ambitious vision for the further upgrading and use of Europe’s research infrastructures to develop advanced technologies at the interface between industry and science. The strategy defines several focal areas for the future, from batteries and the discovery of new materials for circular economy, to water-based technologies and biomedicine.

With LEAPS members’ facilities currently serving over 35,000 researchers, ESAPS 2022 also aims to play a key role in expanding the skills of Europe’s next generation of scientists and engineers, and in supporting European industry in new product and market development. Ultimately, it provides a roadmap for the interaction between national RI and European research ambitions, and sets out a pathway for a stronger, more resilient European Research Area (ERA).

PSI to host high level dialogues in October to move the agenda forward 

Against this backdrop, on October 26-28 the Paul Scherrer Institute will host the next LEAPS Plenary Meeting in Villingen, Switzerland. The forum will bring together decision makers and leading figures from European policy, research infrastructure and industry communities, with the specific aim of defining new synergies and joint initiatives that will help to tackle society’s most pressing problems.

On October 27, the Plenary Meeting opens its doors to stakeholders from across the R&I spectrum for a series of high-level debates about the way forward, including perspectives from the European Commission, the Swedish Research Council (linked to the upcoming EU Swedish Presidency), and senior industry executives. Among featured topics on the agenda will be quantum technologies, synchrotron sciences, the ERA policy agenda, life science challenges, and the impact of current geopolitical tensions – all as part of a wider discussion about pathways to translate ESAPS 2022 into effective action.  

For more information on the programme and registration details, please visit the LEAPS 2022 Plenary website or contact [email protected].    

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