"Representing EU-LIFE on gender equality and diversity in the ERA Structural Policies is a responsibility I value deeply, especially as academic freedom, equality and inclusion face growing threats. Championing these EU foundational values, which encompass the integration of inclusive sex and gender analysis in research, drives scientific excellence, relevance, public trust and social responsibility," said Dörthe Nickel.

💡Welcome to #EULIFEspotlight!

This month we celebrate Dörthe Nickel, International Relations Officer at @institutcurie.bsky.social, who represents EU-LIFE in the ERA Structural Policy "Strengthening gender equality and inclusiveness in the ERA, notably with an intersectional approach" #WomenInSTEM

"I greatly appreciate being part of the EU-LIFE community. Our institutes may each have their own identity, yet we are connected by a common pursuit of scientific excellence, similar challenges we navigate, and the successes we achieve. The EU-LIFE meetings feel like gatherings with old friends —warm and collaborative— and I always look forward to them," said Nicolas Favre, Head Patents and Licensing at FMI.

💡Welcome to #EULIFEspotlight!

This month we celebrate Nicolas Favre, Head Patents & Licensing and EU-LIFE main representative at @fmiscience.bsky.social, who led the organisation of the latest EU-LIFE Strategy Meeting and ensured a welcoming environment for productive discussions 🔗 bit.ly/48ycwAg

“Our session focused on having an open and honest conversation about research security, not as a restriction, but as a way to strengthen research practice. The discussion showed that integrating the perspectives of different actors is the way forward to build a more balanced and realistic approach to research security. Finding this balance is a shared responsibility that calls for ongoing dialogue between researchers, institutions, funders and policymakers,” said Henri van Luenen, Director of Operations at NKI.

💡Welcome to #EULIFEspotlight!

This month we celebrate Henri van Luenen, Director of Operations at @nkinl.bsky.social, who moderated the session “Research security in practice: making space for an honest conversation”, organised by EU-LIFE at the EU Conference on #ResearchSecurity

🔗 bit.ly/4hPXbhw

"The new MSCA Green Charter sends a strong signal for sustainability in research — especially at a time when climate action isn’t always at the top of the agenda. It offers young researchers practical guidance to reduce their environmental impact without adding bureaucracy. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of broader support for sustainable research on the EU level," said Christian Panetzky, Sustainability Coordinator at Max Delbrück Center.

💡Welcome to #EULIFEspotlight!

This month we celebrate Christian Panetzky, Sustainability Coordinator at @mdc-berlin.bsky.social, who was part of the drafting team of the new #MSCA Green Charter, aimed to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices in research.

🔗 bit.ly/4nwip5l

"On a personal level, the meeting was also a key internal community building moment with the GIMM colleagues present – on both nights we stayed up in the hotel lobby digesting all that we had learned that day and planning how to apply it back in Portugal. The enthusiasm was infectious, and we headed home with bags full of benchmarks, best practices and new contacts," said Laura Ward, Senior Project Manager at GIMM.

💡Welcome to #EULIFEspotlight!

This month we celebrate Laura Ward, Senior Project Manager at @gimmfoundation.bsky.social who attended the EU-LIFE Community Meeting for the first time this year and agreed to share her experience in our latest blog post! ➡️ eu-life.eu/newsroom/new...

"I am very grateful to have taken part in the EU-LIFE Science Vision Talk Contest because it is absolutely one of the highlights of my PhD experience! I decided to participate because I felt that it was something out of my comfort zone and whenever that happens, I tend to just go for it anyway (within reason)! I don’t regret putting myself out there, it was an amazing experience and I met such great people!" said Eleonore Ocaña, PhD student at Rayon Group, The Babraham Institute.

💡Welcome to #EULIFEspotlight!

This month we celebrate Eleonore Ocaña, PhD student at the Rayon Group in the @babrahaminst.bsky.social (UK), who was the winner of the EU-LIFE #ScienceVision Talk Contest 2025 with a rap about optogenetics!

She shared her experience in this interview ➡️ bit.ly/3TtvjEx

"Being prepared to adapt and change according to organisational need is essential, but managing change can be challenging for everyone. The paper was written to support colleagues throughout the life of a core facility, based on lessons from our shared experience. It is not prescriptive, instead it provides a context-agnostic framework managers can use to help navigate through complex situations," said Danielle Hoyle, Head of Research Operations and Deputy Director of Operations at The Babraham Institute.

💡Welcome to #EULIFEspotlight!

This month we celebrate Danielle Hoyle, Head of Research Operations & Deputy Director of Operations at @babrahaminst.bsky.social, who co-chairs the EU-LIFE Core Facilities WG & led the publication of a paper on the lifecycle of tech platforms ➡️ doi.org/10.1038/s443...

“Invited seminars and research visits provide crucial networking opportunities, but early-career researchers often fall by the wayside for lack of funding as they are still developing their network. That's why the EU-LIFE Postdoctoral Exchange Programme aims to empower postdocs to independently undertake such visits in view of networking and future career planning," said Stijn Hawinkel, member of the EU-LIFE Postdoc Initiative and postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB (Belgium).

💡Welcome to #EULIFEspotlight!

This month we celebrate Stijn Hawinkel, Postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Plant Systems Biology @viblifesciences.bsky.social & member of the EU-LIFE Postdoc Initiative, who chairs the organisation of the EU-LIFE Postdoctoral Exchange Programme ➡️ bit.ly/3WgNek3

"There is a great power in EU-level peer networks. Being part of the EU-LIFE community and the GEDI Working Group gives me access to very experienced colleagues who share their insights generously. I also very much appreciate the opportunity to be an active member of the community. The collaboration with the colleagues on the inter-institutional Pathfinder Mentoring Programme for Postdoc Women was incredibly fulfilling," said Agnes Uhereczky.

💡Welcome to #EULIFEspotlight!

This month we celebrate Agnes Uhereczky, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at @viblifesciences.bsky.social, who provided training on how to create an inclusive, safe & effective relationship to mentors of the EU-LIFE Pathfinder Mentorship Program for Postdoc Women.

“Being a mentor is a journey of shared growth — guiding, inspiring, and learning in return. EU-LIFE GEDI WG has been vital in ensuring that diverse perspectives are heard and in driving meaningful change to create equal opportunities for all," said Susanna Chiocca.

💡Welcome to #EULIFEspotlight!

This month we celebrate Susanna Chiocca, Director of the Viruses & Cancer Unit at #IEO - European Institute of Oncology in Milan, who is one of the mentors of the EU-LIFE Pathfinder Mentorship Programme for Postdoctoral Women ➡️ bit.ly/42zXw07

#WomenInSTEM #mentoring

"The future of the European Research Area depends not only on researchers but also on research managers, who create the conditions for research to thrive. The research management profession is constantly evolving, requiring specialized expertise and collaboration across stakeholders and sectors. ERA Action 17 strengthens research institutions through upskilling, capacity building and networking, leading to more effective project management, optimized resource use, and increased innovation. This initiative benefits not only researchers and research managers but also society as a whole," said Ester Jarour, Head of Strategic Partnerships and International Relations at CEITEC

💡Welcome to #EULIFEspotlight!

This month we celebrate Ester Jarour, Head of Strategic Partnerships & International Relations at #CEITEC, who contributed greatly to EU-LIFE's input to the #EUResearchArea #Action17 Careers & Competence Framework for #ResearchManagers ➡️ eu-life.eu/research-man...

“It is very stimulating to collaborate with colleagues from other EU-LIFE institutes to enhance advanced training and career opportunities. I think training is vital to foster an inclusive, accountable, and empowering environment that drives creativity, excellence, and links with the wider society. We hope the Webinar initiative is a little step towards this vision,” said Joao Vilhena.

💡Welcome to #EULIFEspotlight!

This month we celebrate João Vilhena, Training Project Coordinator at @institutcurie.bsky.social & EU-LIFE Recruitment & Training Working Group Co-Chair. He leads the organisation of Career Track Webinars, attended by over 500 researchers this year! ➡️ bit.ly/3ZvUnxa

"The EU-LIFE pitching event connects researchers with early-stage venture capitalists and tech scouts, offering insights to help turn research into startups. By uniting investors, tech scouts, and mentors, it provides critical feedback on market potential, scalability, and impact. This platform accelerates the journey from academic research to real-world ventures, boosting Europe’s innovation ecosystem," said Prue Donovan.

💡Welcome to #EULIFEspotlight!

This month we celebrate Prue Donovan, Head of IP & Tech Transfer at CeMM, who is co-chair of the #TechTransfer working group and led the organisation of the annual EU-LIFE Pitching event last month ➡️ eu-life.eu/research-exc...