Why Europe needs one Commissioner for research, innovation and education

While potential new portfolios such as a Commissioner for the Mediterranean or a Commissioner for Defence are emerging, here are three reasons why research, innovation and education should remain under one politically strong Commissioner:

1. The challenges Europe and the world are facing need research-based approaches. Equally, they require highly skilled, versatile people from different backgrounds with an open mindset to develop and implement solutions. Combining learning with research has proven to be effective in this regard as it ensures that university graduates have the latest, cutting-edge knowledge that Europe needs. Therefore, research, education and innovation need to be much more interlinked, including in European policies.
2. The boundaries between fundamental research, innovation and application are becoming more and more blurred. In this context, it is vital that universities are equipped both to deliver innovation and develop the knowledge base through basic research. To ensure Europe’s competitiveness and prosperity, we need balanced and holistic policies that consider the whole innovation ecosystem, from basic research and research-based learning to disruptive innovation.
3. Research, education and innovation are uniquely intertwined in the missions of Europe’s universities as they work to serve open, democratic and pluralistic societies and cooperate across borders in Europe. The European Universities Initiative has shown that there are limits to developing policies that focus solely on the educational part of universities’ missions. While much has been achieved on that side, efforts to better connect it with research and innovation must be continued in the new mandate.

Common to all of these factors is the need for policy coordination within the European Commission, notably between the different Directorates-General, as well as with stakeholders. Therefore, in congratulating President Ursula von der Leyen on her second term, EUA President Josep M. Garrell has emphasised the Association’s call to appoint a single Commissioner for research, innovation and education who unites these policy areas under one portfolio:

“Having research, innovation and education under one portfolio has proven highly useful in the 2019-2024 mandate. We must build on the good work that has been done in recent years, and this can be made much easier by having one Commissioner with a strong political mandate for this area. This Commissioner will have a vital mission in upholding European values such as university autonomy and academic freedom, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion.”