Neth-ER and KNAW cordially invite you to join two webinar sessions around the theme ‘Better connecting excellence in the EU’ on September 22nd from 14:00 to 15:30 and September 30th from 14:00 to 15:30. The webinars ask what needs to be done at different governance levels to create a more integrated and cohesive European research & innovation system.


Registration opened: Webinars ‘Better connecting excellence in the EU’

Better connecting excellence in the EU  

On September 22nd and September 30th, Neth-ER and KNAW will host two webinar sessions on how to better connect researchers and research organisations across Europe. The webinars ask what needs to be done at different governance levels to create a more integrated and cohesive European research & innovation system. During the first webinar on 22 September, we invite researchers from two Horizon 2020 Twinning projects to reflect on lessons from their cooperation and what they expect of the partnership. In the second webinar on 30 September board members of research organisations will comment on institutional strategies that can increase cooperation and interlinkages between research and innovation actors in the European Research Area and how to better coordinate policies and programmes at the European, national and regional level. 

Registration link

Programme 22nd September 

“Connecting researchers across Europe", time 14:00-15:30

  • Opening & introduction by Jurgen Rienks, director Neth-ER
  • Contribution from researchers participating in Horizon 2020 project “The Life Course of the Young in the 21st Century” from the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) & Tallinn University
  • Contribution from researchers participating in Horizon 2020 project “Strengthening the research & innovation capacity in the area of Bioeconomy for the Plovdiv region” from Wageningen University & the Agricultural University of Plovdiv
  • Short statement by Judith Litjens, Policy Officer at COST Association
  • Panel discussion and Q&A on connecting researchers across Europe, moderated by Jurgen Rienks

Panel members:

  • Prof. dr. Vladislav Popov, PhD, Vice-rector Science and Projects & coordinator CAPBIO4BG
  • Dr. Berien Elbersen, Senior Researcher land use and integrated environmental assessment
  • Prof. dr. Aart Liefbroer, Theme Leader Families and Generations at NIDI
  • Dr. Gerli Nimmerfeldt, Researcher at Institute of International Social Studies, University of Tallinn
  • Federica Roffi, Deputy Head of Unit Spreading excellence & widening participation, Research Executive Agency

Programme 30th September 

"Strategies to enhance cooperation across Europe"

  • Introduction by Prof. Dr. Marileen Dogterom, Vice-President of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
  • Short panel discussion with Karina Angelieva, Adviser to the Bulgarian Minister of Education & Science & representative of the Ministry of Education, Science & Culture of the Netherlands (tbc)
  • Panel discussion and Q&A on institutional strategies to enhance R&I cooperation across Europe, moderated by Jurgen Rienks, Director of Neth-ER

Panel members:

  • Prof.dr. ir. Arthur Mol, Rector Magnificus/vice-president Executive Board Wageningen University and Research
  • Prof. dr. Helga de Valk, director Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute
  • Prof. dr. Hristina Yancheva, PhD, Rector Agricultural University of Plovdiv
  • Prof. dr. Katrin Niglas, Vice-Rector Member of the Executive Board Tallinn University

Practical information and registration form

The events will take place on Wednesday 22 September from 14:00 to 15:30 and Thursday 30 September from 14:00 to 15:30 via Microsoft Teams. The events will be held in English. Registration for both webinars takes place via this link. Prior to the event, participants will receive a Microsoft Teams-link to the webinar. The webinar will be recorded and a recap will appear on the Neth-ER website. For further questions about the registration and the programme, please contact neth-er@neth-er.eu.