EURAXESS Smart Talks

Understanding the ERA Dimension of Horizon Europe: Strategies, Insights & Real Project Experiences

How does the European Research Area (ERA) translate from policy vision into concrete opportunities for researchers and institutions—especially those in widening countries? In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we dive deep into the ERA dimension of Horizon Europe and explore how to build competitive, high‑impact WIDERA proposals. You’ll hear expert insights from: * Siiri Kolka – National Contact Point, ERA specialist * Damir Hasković – Coordinator of the Next Tech Talents project * Kārlis Krēsliņš – Project partner and university representative Together, they unpack the ERA pillars, discuss what makes a successful ERA proposal, and share hands‑on experiences from the recently funded Next Tech Talents initiative—focused on strengthening deep‑tech ecosystems and improving researcher career pathways in Europe. Whether you’re a researcher, proposal writer, project manager, or institutional leader, this episode helps you understand the ERA logic, avoid common pitfalls, and recognize how ERA‑funded actions support systemic change across Europe.  Timestamped Questions & Segments 00:00:02 – Welcome to the episode 00:00:35 – Introduction of guests and topic Interview with Siiri Kolka 00:01:40 – What is the ERA dimension of Horizon Europe and why does it matter? 00:12:06 – What makes a competitive ERA proposal? 00:14:00 – Why is understanding the ERA policy agenda crucial? 00:17:20 – How should applicants think about consortium composition? 00:18:55 – What should applicants check when calls have a “portfolio approach”? Interview with Damir Hasković 00:19:36 – How did you organize your proposal-writing journey for Next Tech Talents? 00:23:11 – What makes an impact section convincing? 00:25:55 – What is the Next Tech Talents project about? 00:31:02 – Who is in your consortium and why? 00:33:20 – Tips for applicants preparing proposals under ERA/WIDERA Interview with Kārlis Krēsliņš 00:35:25 – First impressions and reflections on ERA insights shared today 00:37:20 – Why did your institution join this consortium? 00:40:01 – Your role in the proposal and how it translated into project duties 00:46:00 – Can ERA projects lead to national reforms (doctoral schools, career models)? Closing Reflections 00:55:20 – Siiri’s final remarks and key takeaways 00:58:30 – Episode wrap‑up Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1998474/fan_mail/new]

Radiance & Research Mobility: Dr. Juliane Sauer on Shaping MSCA Support

In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we sit down with Dr. Juliane Sauer, Director and founding member of OXYGENEUM, and former MSCA National Contact Point for Switzerland. With over a decade of experience supporting researchers across Europe, Juliane shares her journey from academia to consultancy, her leadership in the Net4Mobility project, and her current role in the ambitious Radiance initiative. Together, we explore how Radiance is working to harmonize support for MSCA National Contact Points (NCPs) across countries, improve researcher mobility, and leverage digital tools—including matchmaking platforms and AI—to strengthen collaboration. Whether you’re a researcher, policymaker, or simply curious about how the EU fosters scientific careers and international cooperation, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of research support. 🔑 Key Topics Covered •Juliane Sauer’s career path: from communication scientist to EU research consultant •The Radiance project: scope, funding, and goals •Ensuring consistency among MSCA NCPs across countries •Peer learning, benchmarking, and tailored training approaches •Quantitative & qualitative evaluation methods for NCP support •Adapting to diverse target groups: doctoral networks, postdocs, industry partners •Matchmaking platform for researchers and institutions •The role of AI in supporting—but not replacing—human expertise ⏱️ Question Timestamps •00:57 – Introduction to Dr. Juliane Sauer’s background •02:38 – What is the Radiance project and its objectives? •05:56 – How will consistency among NCPs be ensured across countries? •09:10 – Evaluating success: indicators and feedback mechanisms •10:06 – Adapting Radiance to different MSCA schemes and target groups •13:30 – Tailoring support for widening and third countries •13:33 – The matchmaking platform: how it works and why it matters •16:00 – Exploring AI tools: balancing automation with human touch Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1998474/fan_mail/new]

Mobility That Matters: How Moving Shapes a Scientist’s Career

In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Daria Aksenova and Jovan Aranđelović sit down with Dr. Monika Golińska—a biochemist, cancer researcher, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow whose work bridges leading European institutions including the Medical University of Łódź and the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute. Dr. Golińska shares her journey from early student exchanges to leading a cutting‑edge project investigating the link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer through advanced spatial biology and photoacoustic imaging. She opens up about the realities of research mobility, the value of intersectoral experience in healthcare policy, and the challenges researchers face in building sustainable careers across borders. Whether you're an early-career researcher considering mobility or a seasoned scientist navigating nonlinear career paths, this conversation offers insights, advice, and thoughtful reflections on the future of research in Europe. 🔑 Key Topics Covered * Dr. Monika Golińska’s path into research and early motivations * First experiences with international mobility and Erasmus exchanges * Challenges of relocating: bureaucracy, adaptation, and institutional culture * The impact and value of Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions (MSCA) * Intersectoral mobility: transitioning into the UK National Health Service * Transferable skills between academia, healthcare, and policy * Returning to academia and rekindling a passion for research * Work-life balance for mobile researchers * Career precarity, risk-taking, and planning next steps after fellowships * Suggestions for more sustainable mobility programs * The future of European mobility and support networks for researchers ⏱️ Detailed Timestamps & Guiding Questions 00:00 – 00:01 | Intro 00:53 – 01:18 | Guest Introduction 01:24 – 02:41 | Q1: “Tell us more about yourself and your career mobility.” 02:41 – 04:06 | Q2: “What was your first experience with research mobility?” 04:07 – 05:31 | Q3: “How challenging is adapting to a new country?” 05:31 – 07:00 | Q4: “What role do European mobility programs play?” 07:00 – 09:22 | Q5: “Have you experienced intersectoral mobility?” 09:22 – 11:20 | Q6: “What was the impact of working in healthcare?” 11:20 – 13:16 | Q7: “What drew you back to academia?” 13:16 – 15:00 | Q8: “How responsive is policy to research evidence?” 15:00 – 18:02 | Q9: “What are the opportunities and drawbacks of mobility programs?” 18:02 – 19:41 | Q10: “How can researchers deal with career uncertainty?” 19:41 – 21:25 | Q11: “How do we stay healthy during mobility?” 21:25 – 24:03 | Q12: “What’s the future of mobility in Europe?” 24:03 – 25:01 | Closing   Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1998474/fan_mail/new]

Crossing Borders and Bridging Disciplines with Dr. Antonino Puglisi

In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we sit down with Dr. Antonino (Nino) Puglisi — a Chartered Chemist, seasoned researcher, and European advisor at UK Research and Innovation. With more than 20 years of international experience across Italy, the UK, Austria, and Turkey, Nino shares a deeply personal and insightful journey of how research mobility shaped his scientific career, worldview, and professional identity. From postdoctoral adventures abroad to leading impactful projects on polymer chemistry and rare diseases, Nino discusses the transformative role of mobility, the value of interdisciplinary thinking, and the importance of supportive communities such as the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA).  He also reflects on the challenges researchers face — from isolation to funding instability — and offers practical advice for early‑career scientists navigating international paths. Whether you're a researcher considering mobility, a policymaker, or simply curious about how chemistry, culture, and policy intertwine, this episode offers an inspiring, thoughtful, and honest perspective on what it means to build a career across borders. ⏱️ Questions & Timestamps Below are the main questions asked during the conversation, based on the transcript’s time markers. 00:01:41 – Introduction of the guest “Could you briefly introduce yourself and explain your current research or professional role?” 00:02:49 – First experience with research mobility “What was your first experience with research mobility, and what motivated you to take this step?” 00:05:31 – Impact of mobility “How has moving across borders shaped your career path and personal development?” 00:07:39 – Opportunities created by international mobility “What are the biggest opportunities that international mobility creates for researchers?” 00:09:40 – Challenges of mobility “What are the main challenges you experienced or observed in international mobility?” 00:10:44 – Institutional support “How can institutions and policymakers better support researchers in overcoming mobility-related challenges?” 00:12:20 – Networking and collaborations “How has mobility influenced your collaborations and professional relationships?” 00:13:56 – Advice for early‑career researchers “What advice would you give to early-career researchers considering mobility as part of their path?” 00:14:44 – Future of research mobility in Europe “How do you imagine the future of research mobility in Europe, especially from your perspective as an NCP?” Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1998474/fan_mail/new]

How Deindustrialization Shapes Politics: Lessons from an ERC Starting Grant

In this episode of Euraxess Smart Talks, we speak with Anne‑Marie Jeannet, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Milan and Principal Investigator of the ERC Starting Grant project DESPO – Deindustrializing Societies and the Political Consequences. Anne‑Marie reflects on her journey into social science, her unconventional academic path from the humanities to quantitative sociology, and her experience applying for—and winning—an ERC Starting Grant. She shares candid insights into rejection, persistence, and how research ideas evolve through failure. The conversation dives deep into the political consequences of deindustrialization, challenging dominant assumptions that link economic decline directly to voting behaviour. Drawing on findings from her ERC project, Anne‑Marie explains why community, family, memory, and industrial nostalgia matter more than annual economic indicators—and why her project took an unexpected but productive turn when its central hypothesis did not hold. This episode is especially valuable for early‑career researchers, offering practical advice on ERC applications, proposal writing, interviews, project deviations, amendments, and the realities of managing a large grant—particularly during disruptions such as COVID‑19 and institutional mobility. ⏱️ Question & Segment Timestamps 00:00 – 01:50 | Introduction  Welcome to Euraxess Smart Talks and introduction of Anne‑Marie Jeannet and the DESPO project. 01:50 – 03:35 | Academic background  How Anne‑Marie transitioned from history and the humanities into social science and sociology. 03:35 – 06:50 | Applying for the ERC Starting Grant  How she decided to apply, early rejections, persistence, and improving the proposal over time. 06:50 – 08:40 | What makes a strong ERC idea?  Why ERC projects are about big ideas and new avenues, not small research gaps. 08:40 – 10:35 | Deindustrialization and politics  How her project reframed the political effects of deindustrialization beyond jobs and unemployment. 10:35 – 11:55 | External shocks and project reality  Political changes, COVID‑19, and whether the project followed its original plan. 11:55 – 14:20 | When the core hypothesis fails  Why finding “no effect” changed the direction of the research—and why that matters. 14:20 – 15:30 | Industrial nostalgia  The paradox of longing for factory work that people do not want to do themselves. 15:30 – 16:55 | Media, memory, and romanticizing the past  How collective memory and media narratives shape perceptions of industrial history. 17:00 – 19:30 | Deviations, amendments, and ERC flexibility  How to legally and scientifically manage changes to an ERC project. 19:30 – 22:55 | Advice for early‑career researchers  Proposal writing, abstracts, mock interviews, and learning from ERC winners. 22:55 – 24:55 | Portability and institutional challenges  Moving institutions with an ERC grant and why starting grants can be slower than expected. 24:55 – 26:15 | Closing reflections  Final thoughts on challenges, transparency, and success in large research projects. Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1998474/fan_mail/new]