On March 6, 2025, the SECURE project will host its Final Summit in Brussels, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss the future of research careers in Europe. The event will feature policy discussions, expert presentations, and insights from institutions that have implemented SECURE trials, showcasing best practices and innovative career frameworks.
With representatives from the European Commission (EC), the Research Executive Agency (REA), the European Research Area (ERA), and leading research organizations, the summit will provide a platform to exchange ideas, assess the project’s impact, and outline next steps for strengthening research careers across Europe.
One of the speakers at the summit, Dario Capezzuto is a policy officer at the European Commission, DG Research and Innovation, Unit ERA, Spreading Excellence and Research Careers. With a legal background, he focuses on EU policies and instruments for researchers, including skills development. Before joining the Commission in 2020, he spent over a decade as a policy advisor in the European Parliament, specializing in foreign affairs, security and defence, and regional development.
Capezzuto emphasizes the need for stable and supportive research careers, stating: “What is critical about research careers is to ensure that people are attracted to research careers, and that they have the right conditions to focus on doing research, rather than having to divert attention to other things such as for example thinking about their next contract, preparing a new proposal, publishing continuously, or dealing with administrative tasks.”
Another informative session will be delivered by Dr. Luísa Henriques, a senior policy analyst and senior advisor to the Board of Directors of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. Her career spans various roles, from research funder to researcher and policy analyst, both nationally and at the European level.
Henriques continues working in research, focusing on Innovation Systems and National and European Research and Innovation Policies. Speaking about the challenges of research careers, she raises a crucial question: “The main question for research careers is how to find the right balance in research funding to avoid precarity but provide the right institutional conditions for the advancement of knowledge?”
This final event marks a key milestone for the SECURE project, bringing together experts, policymakers, and researchers to drive forward sustainable reforms in research career frameworks.
Agenda
09:00 – 10:00 | Registration & Coffee
10:00 – 10:35 | Opening Session
- Gordon J. Dalton (PLOCAN, SECURE Coordinator) – Introduction
- Wainer Lusoli (Research Executive Agency, REA) – Opening Remarks
- Dario Capezzuto (European Commission, EC) – Update on Research Careers in the EU
- Luísa Henriques (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, ERA Policy Agenda, Action 4) – Update on ERA Policy Agenda
10:35 – 11:15 | Keynote Talks
- Gareth O’Neill (Technopolis Group Belgium, WP2 Lead, Research Careers Framework – RCF)
- Emma Day (WP3 Lead, Tenure-Track-Like Models – TTLMs)
11:15 – 11:40 | Coffee Break
11:40 – 12:25 | Policy Roundtable: The Future of Research Careers
- Dario Capezzuto (European Commission, EC)
- Luísa Henriques (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, ERA Action 4)
- Gareth O’Neill (Technopolis Group Belgium, WP2 Lead, RCF)
- Emma Day (CRAC-Vitae, WP3 Lead, TTLMs)
- Norbert Bencze (EuroDoc)
- Erna Karalija (ICoRSA, UNSA)
12:25 – 13:20 | Lunch on Premises
13:20 – 13:30 | Presentation
- Aurea Cophignon (DocTalent4EU)
13:35 – 14:05 | Interview with SECURE Trial Organizations – Session 1
- Panagiotis Moiras (University of Cyprus, UCY Trial)
- Saša Zelenika (University of Rijeka, UNIRI Trial)
- Isabel Rocha (NOVA University Lisbon, UNL Trial)
14:05 – 14:10 | Transition
14:10 – 14:40 | Interview with SECURE Trial Organizations – Session 2
- Alina Irimia (UEFISCDI Trial)
- Corina Falcón-Moya (PLOCAN Trial)
- Sophie Bouccara (Adoc Talent Management Trial)
14:40 – 15:10 | Coffee Break & Poster Session
15:10 – 15:55 | Policy Roundtable: Next Steps for Stakeholders
- Ádám Molnár (EURAXESS Hungary, Bay Zoltán Research Centre – Mainstreaming Plan)
- Mostafa Moonir Shawrav (Marie Curie Alumni Association, MCAA – Early Career Researchers)
- Marta Agostinho (EU-Life – Research Institutes)
- Emmanuelle Gardan (Coimbra Group – Research Performing Organizations, RPOs)
- James Morris (Science Europe – Research Funding Organizations, RFOs)
- Gerard Downes (DocTalent4EU)
15:55 – 16:00 | Closing Remarks
- Wainer Lusoli (REA) – Reflections
- Gordon J. Dalton (PLOCAN, SECURE Coordinator) – Closing of the Event
16:00 Onwards | Networking Drinks & Snacks
For those unable to join us in Brussels, the summit will be streamed online, ensuring that everyone can be part of these crucial discussions on the future of research careers. Connect with us live here: https://secureproject.eu/secure-summit/
Photo: Jan Kahanek/Unsplash