Transatlantic Mobility without Borders · EURAXESS Links USA A Networking Tool for European...

Transatlantic Mobility without Borders NORDP, 21 May 2012

Izabella Zandberg, PhD EURAXESS Links USA

Researchers and Mobility Cutting Edge Research is not possible without internationalization ◦ International mobility and internationalization of research are

important factors for excellence of research

◦ There is a variety of motivations for researchers to be mobile

◦ The likelihood of mobility is related to career level and differs from country to country

◦ There are numerous barriers to researchers’ mobility

◦ Scientists and scholars interested in mobility must be actively supported

Push Factors

- Lower salaries - Lower standard of living in home country - Political unrest/wars - Gender issues - Lack of funding for research - Weakness of home country's research - Lack of employment opportunities - Lack of fair recruitment policies - Extensive bureaucracy - Supervisor's advice

◦ MOREBRAIN Study, 2010

Pull Factors - Higher standard of living in a destination country - Higher salaries /remuneration/stipend in a destination country - Family reasons (e.g.: better prospects for family in a destination country, spouse or other family members) - Working at prestigious host institution with excellent research

facilities and equipment - Career development (gaining knowledge and professional

experience, entering new a area of research, establishing scientific contacts abroad)

- Acquiring foreign language skills - Good employment contract conditions in terms of social security,

pension and other entitlements - Good career opportunities (e.g.: increased demand for

researchers in specific area in a destination country)

Pull Factors - Transparent immigration procedures favorable for foreign

researchers and their families (work permit, scientific visa) - "Safe return" schemes, possibility of receiving a fellowship after you return from abroad - Possibility to see the world and experience new culture/

environment - Personal connections (presence of colleagues, compatriots in a

hosting institution/country

MOREBRAIN Study, 2010

Obstacles to Mobility

- Missing transferability of pensions etc. from one country to the other - Lack of dual career support - No sufficient childcare infrastructure - Rigid career patterns - Lack of support for mobility - Administrative / legal obstacles (immigration law, work permits etc.) - Lack of information

Facilitators of Mobility

- Removing administrative and legal obstacles on a political level - Providing better information - Improvement of counseling - Better conditions for families / Dual career opportunities - Funding programs for mobility - Funding programs for research collaboration - Partnerships between countries and/or universities and research institutes - Compatibility of career paths in different countries

FP7 (2007-2013) Indicative Breakdown (€ million)

European Partnership for Researchers

◦ Open recruitment and portability of grants

◦ Social security and supplementary pensions for mobile researchers

◦ Attractive employment and working conditions

◦ Improving training, skills and experience of researchers

From “Brain Drain” to “Brain Circulation”

- Research shows that migration of the skilled tends to be correlated positively with development

- The role of diasporas (i.e., networks of migrants from any country around the world) has been shown to promote development

The Economist, Nov. 19, 2011

Transatlantic Mobility of Researchers

- Mobile European researchers generally prefer the USA as a country of destination:

75% of European researchers funded within the Marie Curie IOF scheme carry out research activities in the U.S.

- Mobility of researchers between Europe and U.S. is becoming increasingly bilateral:

In FP7, U.S. researchers are the top Third Country nationals benefiting from the Marie Curie IIF scheme

Transatlantic Collaboration in Research

- Among Third Countries in all FP7 grant agreements, U.S.A… Ranks 2nd in number of participations (includes 30 U.S. SME

grant holders, 9.43% of total U.S. participation)

Ranks 2nd in budget share

- Top collaborative links with:

United Kingdom Germany France Italy Netherlands

Making Mobility Easier

EURAXESS Portal = Visit Card to Europe

Research career in Europe

step-by-step

EURAXESS – Researchers in Motion 4 Activities

Recruitment tool with job opportunities, funding opportunities, grants, employment, etc.

Relocation assistance for researchers and their family Information on the Charter and Code (i.e. rights and obligations in the

research profession) A networking tool for European researchers abroad

EURAXESS Jobs - European database of research jobs

◦ New jobs & fellowships every day

◦ 6,400 registered institutions

◦ User-friendly search options

◦ Tool to create your online CV

◦ Vacancies sent to your e-mail

Free-of-charge access to:

EURAXESS Jobs - European database of research jobs

EURAXESS Services

Network of ~200 Services Centres in 37 European countries (West Balkans

included) Goal: To provide researchers and their families with comprehensive and up-to-

date information, as well as tailored and personalized assistance in all matters relating to their professional and daily lives:

◦ Entry conditions (visa requirements), ◦ Work permits, ◦ Job opportunities, ◦ Salaries and taxation, ◦ Pension rights, ◦ Health care, ◦ Social security, ◦ Accommodation, ◦ Day care and schooling, ◦ Language courses, ◦ General culture of the host country, ◦ Intellectual property rights, ◦ Recognition of diplomas etc.

Core activity: Each Service Center

Acts as a point of entry for

researchers looking for practical information and

guidance

Fulfils its information and assistance task either by direct

proximity assistance or by directing the person/s

concerned to the appropriate specialised centre

EURAXESS Services (http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/services)

EURAXESS takes care

of researchers’ working conditions in Europe

EURAXESS Rights

EURAXESS Links (http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/links)

EURAXESS Links USA

EURAXESS Links USA A Networking Tool for European Researchers Abroad

EURAXES Links USA is a network of European researchers, scientists and scholars throughout North America.

This multidisciplinary network includes members at all stages of their careers.

It allows them to connect with each other and with Europe - ensuring that they are recognized as an important resource for European research, whether they remain in the U.S. or return to Europe.

Approx. 3500 members in the USA.

Similar networks have been established in China, Singapore, Japan and India.

EURAXESS Links USA A Networking Tool for European Researchers Abroad

Monthly newsletter with articles specifically of interest to the European science community in the US.

Regular updates signaling job, funding and collaboration opportunities.

Occasional meetings and events.

Co-organization of career fairs with US partners to provide forum for researchers to meet with European funding agencies and employers, both public and private.

A website with targeted information on sources of research funding in Europe and US, research policies, career opportunities, collaboration opportunities, conferences and training courses.

Thank you!

Contact us: http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess

Izabella.Zandberg@euraxess.net

(The EURAXESS Links USA Network)