The ERC will take part in the 2024 Falling Walls conference in Berlin. On 8 November at 9.00, a livestreamed high-level ERC plenary on 'Boosting Frontier Research: Europe's Next Move' will feature three research Ministers, one Nobel laureate, one industry leader and the ERC President. Over thirty ERC grantees will attend the summit, of which several will receive prizes such as the Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year and speak in sessions. Angela Liberatore, Head of the ERC Scientific Department, will also take part in a session on science diplomacy.
Falling Walls takes place 7-9 November and is an annual science conference.
8 November 2024
9.00 - 9.50 | 'Boosting Frontier Research: Europe's Next Move'
organised by the European Research Council
To watch the livestream, please register (free of charge).
Speakers:
- Alain Aspect, Nobel Prize laureate, ERC grantee
- Patrick Hetzel, Minister of Higher Education and Research, France
- Andrzej Szeptycki, Deputy Minister for Science and Higher Education, Poland
- Jana Havlíková, Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Innovation, Czech Republic
- Marie-Noëlle Semeria, Senior Vice President Research & Development, Total Energies One tech
Moderator: ERC President Maria Leptin
This Plenary Table will explore how cutting-edge frontier research drives scientific and technological breakthroughs that benefit the global economy and society. With rising global competition, the focus will be on how Europe can enhance its support for such research. Leaders from government and science will discuss strategies to bolster frontier research both nationally and internationally, addressing future challenges and opportunities.
10.00 - 10.50 | 'Science Diplomacy: Opportunities and Limits'
Angela Liberatore, Head of the ERC Scientific Department, is amongst the speakers.
The Round Table will explore how international scientific collaborations can be sustained during crises, the role of such partnerships in crisis and post-crisis periods, and the limits of science diplomacy. The discussion will address how scientists and institutions can navigate these challenges and find paths for continued cooperation.
Over thirty ERC grantees will take part in Falling Walls, many in livestreamed sessions including, Monika Aidelsburger, Hatice Altug, Susan Banducci, Michael Bronstein, Jan Ellenberg, Thomas Elsaesser, Iryna Gurevych, David Harel, Michael Kramer, Félix Krawatzek, Gerard Meijer, Metin Sitti, Matthias Tschöp, Ian Walmsley, Günter M. Ziegler, Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz.
Several grantees will be recognised for their work:
Michael Bruter is a 2024 Falling Walls Winner in the Social Sciences and Humanities - watch his session (live or online): Impact of 2024 US Elections on Global Politics and Society. Read also his interview: Fighting Democratic Exclusion.
Emilie Caspar is the Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year 2024 in the Social Sciences and Humanities - watch her session (live or online): Breaking the Wall of Blind Obedience.
Michael Platten - the Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year in Life Sciences - his presentation : Breaking the Wall of Brain Tumor Vaccines. Interview: Advancing Brain Tumor Vaccines
Winners in the 2024 Falling Walls Physical Sciences category:
Nils Johan Engelsen and Tobias J. Kippenberg - interview: Quantum Drum Vibration
Thorsten Schumm - interview: Unleashing Nuclear Laser Excitation
Ewold Verhagen - interview: Programmable Metamaterials: Revolution in Light and Sound Control
Watch their Winner session
Harvey Whitehouse - a 2024 Falling Walls Winner in the Social Sciences and Humanities category - interview: Identity Fusion and Global Cohesion.
Josefa Gonzalez, a Falling Walls Engage Winner with her project "Melanogaster: Catch the Fly!" jointly with Roberto Torres (session).
Former ERC President Helga Nowotny will also participate in the summit as well as ERC Scientific Council member Geneviève Almouzni.
On social media we will be posting from Falling Walls with the hashtags #ScienceSummit24 / #Falling Walls.
