LERU reacts to Council Recommendation on research careers

LERU, the League of European Research Universities, has published a statement reacting to the 'Council Recommendation on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe', which was formally adopted on 18 December 2023.

LERU acknowledges the dedicated efforts of the European Commission (EC) in developing the Charter and Code for Researchers and in taking up some stakeholder concerns in the text. Nonetheless, LERU still regards a "toolbox" as insufficient, calling for a comprehensive strategy to "address the multi-layered challenges faced by research and innovation", and stressing the need for "a cohesive and decisive approach to foster talent in Europe".

In particular, LERU is concerned about "policy fragmentation" and the "non-committal nature of the recommendations" and what the association calls "the Commission's inclination towards a more soft and voluntary approach".

LERU therefore remains sceptical regarding the efficacy and implementation of the current recommendations, deploring the lack of concrete steps in the recommendations to eliminate national barriers to mobility, and calling on the EC to take a proactive coordinating role in this context.

In particular, LERU's statement also addresses the issue of "precariousness of researchers as a direct consequence of the precariousness of funding", calling for a broader discussion of the funding ecosystem, and highlights the instrumental role of the "Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agenda". Regarding the latter, LERU urges the Commission to "articulate a more robust approach".

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