Paper Titles & Abstracts

In 1994 Jacques Delors launched the 'Soul for Europe' initiative, which was intended to give a value-driven dimension to the EU - a sui generis entity which Delors believed would not succeed on legal expertise and economic know-how alone. Today, in the midst of financial crisis and an increasing emphasis on innovations with easily-marketable deliverables, it is clear that the 'Soul for Europe' initiative failed to permeate the policy landscape of the ERA and, perhaps, represents a missed opportunity for researchers, policymakers and citizens alike to question exactly why it is that Europe 'does science'. A striking neglect of the 'big questions' has, instead, become characteristic of ERA policy, especially when addressing these questions offers no obvious political or economic payoff. This vacuum of values in ERA policy has become all the more pressing in light of the forthcoming 'Horizon 2020' policy focus on tackling the world's 'grand challenges', which not only relies upon first-rate, evidence-based scientific research but also a shared, strategic common vision and acceptance by society at large. In light of this urgent need to reconnect practitioners and policymakers of European research with the citizens they serve, this paper examines the possibility of belatedly implementing Delors' 'Soul for Europe' initiative in the context of the ERA. It will place a special emphasis on the ideals against the realities of ERA policy and its enactment, and question the values that come into play both in guiding ERA policy and putting it into action. Ultimately, it will query whether establishing a common value-based vision for European science and research will increase trust between all actors and stakeholders in ERA policy.