The ERA Analysis action conducts analyses relevant to European research policy, drawing mainly on the information available in the web-based ERAWATCH knowledge platform. It focuses on research and development (R&D) policies and programmes in Europe, trends in public R&D and emerging issues relevant to R&D policy.
ERA Analysis contributes to the work of the Scientific and Technical Research Committee's (CREST) Open Method of Coordination (OMC) working groups. This is part of a long-standing relationship with CREST as the representative of Member States in science and technology (S&T) issues.
The analyses produced at ERA Analysis are primarily intended for a policy audience, in particular policy-makers and analysts in the area of R&D at EU, national and regional level. These analyses seek to contribute to sound policy-making at all levels of governance by offering evidence of and insights into the European R&D landscape. But they are also a good source of information for policy-makers and analysts outside the EU, as well as for academics interested in the fields of science and technology policy and the economics of R&D and technological innovation.
For 2009, ERA Analysis is working on the following issues:
Monitoring the European Research Area (ERA)
ERA Analysis will contribute to monitoring ERA through a number of studies, to bring greater conceptual clarity and provide robust evidence on progress in its realisation.
Research in universities
ERA Analysis will continue studying universities in order to obtain a picture of the university landscape in Europe and its evolution. Universities are key actors in the European research landscape, and progress towards excellence in research in Europe will not be possible without their active participation.
Specialisation of R&D in Europe
ERA Analysis will continue leading inquiry in this field building on the success of prior activities. There is a concern that research resources across the EU dissipate in a large number of sub-critical areas. The notion of concentrating R&D resources in a limited number of areas is therefore a major issue of debate in the research policy agenda.
Framework Programme data analysis
ERA Analysis will analyse the data on participation in the Framework Programme (FP) focusing on universities and on measures of centrality within FP networks. These data allow exploring the recent evolution of the ERA.
University references in patent documents
As an exploratory activity, ERA Analysis is analysing relations between universities and business by looking at patent data. This will allow, among other things, to monitor progress towards ERA, examine patterns in cross-border knowledge flows, and assess the merits of patent ownership by universities for promoting innovation.
