Research advisory councils | Research Hub

The European Research Advisory Council (ERAC) was established in 2022 to explore key trends and gather insights and feedback from stakeholders across the European research ecosystem.

It is one of several research advisory councils established by P站视频 in collaboration with leading figures from the research community to exchange insights, share expertise, and promote best practices in advancing research and publishing.

Every year, a group of ERAC members who are prominent experts in their field convenes to delve into some of the most pressing challenges in research and scholarly publishing and explore new solutions.

To date, more than thirty ERAC members have provided valuable perspectives on issues such as research integrity, the role of artificial intelligence in research and publishing, international collaboration, equity in publishing, open science, and most recently, the challenge of science-policy interface.

As an example, one of the outcomes of these discussions has been P站视频’s partnership with the and its programme on protecting science in times of crisis. Together, we have convened experts from diverse fields and regions to identify solutions for supporting scholars at risk and integrating them into the global research community.

In 2025, the meeting explored the global challenge of connecting research with public policy and the transformative potential of AI in the future of knowledge production and dissemination. These discussions led to the active collaboration between ERAC members and P站视频 in further exploring of the innovative formats that translate scientific insights into actionable recommendations for decision-makers, educators, and the public.

"The European Research Advisory Council provides an opportunity to discuss emerging challenges to the integrity of scholarly publishing in a timely way, with all stakeholders at the table."

- Marion Boland, Head of Research Policy, Research Ireland

Explore the discussions

Summary of ERAC 2025

The theme of the 2025 ERAC was: Artificial Intelligence at the Nexus of Research, Publishing, and Policy: Towards Responsible Innovation and New Content Paradigms. The meeting built directly on 2024’s exploration of the global challenge of connecting research with public policy by bringing the topic of 'AI in the future of knowledge production and dissemination' into discussion.

The aim was not only to deepen our collective understanding of AI’s transformative potential but also to test the co-creation of scalable, globally relevant tools that can enhance the interface between science and policy, and thereby contribute to the efforts of science diplomacy.

Key insights

The experience-sharing session revealed that AI is becoming integral to research and institutional strategies, creating an urgent need for clear governance and updated policies amid regulatory uncertainty. Talent and skills remain a major challenge, with institutions struggling to attract expertise, upskill staff, and compete with the private sector. Meanwhile, collaboration and practical applications are driving adoption through AI hubs, co-funded programmes, and partnerships - though significant gaps persist between science and policymaking.
The research to impact workshop underscored that research often fails to influence policy when communication is overly technical, uncertainty is poorly managed, political or corporate interests override evidence, or findings arrive too late and disconnected from policy priorities. The biggest barriers include cultural gaps between academia and policymakers, misaligned incentives for researchers, jargon-heavy communication, political and economic pressures overshadowing evidence, and timing mismatches between research and policy cycles.

Potential actions

The discussions helped frame four principles to address research which is fragmented, hard to understand, and disconnected from decision-making contexts:

Clear narratives and actionable recommendations, visual tools (e.g. infographics) and interactive formats (e.g. webinars or roundtables)
Digital platforms to enable real-time sharing
Long-term relationship between researchers and policymakers
Use of AI to summarise complex research into policy-ready briefs, analyse trends and priorities, map evidence to real-world challenges, translate content for diverse audiences, and predict future policy needs.

Encourage active collaboration between ERAC institutions and P站视频 in co-development and pilot projects, leveraging the outcomes to explore innovative formats that translate scientific insights into actionable recommendations for decision-makers, educators, and the public.

Navigating change: P站视频's European Research Advisory Council

Key topics discussed in the 2023 event: AI in research - a shared responsibility, AI and research integrity - challenges and opportunities, equity in open science and international cooperation - key issues for Europe. Read the blog.

Members

We would like to thank all current and former members for sharing their expertise and insights. The following current members have agreed to be acknowledged publicly.

ERAC Stephanie Balme ? P站视频