Meet Philip Ackermann, who works for DLR Project Management Agency in Germany and is Coordinator of the INSPIRING ERA project.
Firstly, tell us a bit about DLR-PT
DLR Project Management Agency covers the broadest range of topics of all German project management agencies. Our spectrum reaches from education and equal opportunities, society, innovation, technology, to European and international cooperation. This enables us to offer every service in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary manner.
What do you hope to achieve through the INSPIRING ERA project?
With INSPIRING ERA, we’re all about giving the European Research Area (ERA) a bit of a boost by promoting mutual learning, broad dissemination, and effective utilization of results stemming from the ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024. The project aspires to build a strong, visible community that can sustain the continuous evolution of ERA, facilitating the effective transfer of insights and best practices among member states and associated countries.
What comes to mind when you think about the European Research Area?
When I think about the European Research Area (ERA), I think of it as Europe’s grand plan to make sure that researchers and their discoveries can move around freely, helping to make Europe a top spot for innovation. It’s all about collaboration and breaking down barriers to make sure everyone gets a piece of the pie, whether it’s new tech or ground-breaking research. I also see it as an area, in which citizens can actively engage with science, as seen in the case of the “Plastic Pirates – Go Europe!” citizen science initiative, which I am coordinating across Europe, we can see how school children become an active part of the European Research Area as young scientists.
What do you see is the greatest challenge for INSPIRING ERA?
The greatest challenge facing INSPIRING ERA is effectively coordinating the diverse needs and expectations of various stakeholders across different member states and associated countries. Ensuring consistent engagement and productive collaboration among all parties, while also managing the complexity of the ERA actions and their implementation.
What do you personally find the most interesting/exciting about the INSPIRING ERA project?
What excites me the most about the INSPIRING ERA project is the opportunity to facilitate and witness a significant transformation in how European research communities interact and collaborate. Creating a vibrant, interconnected community that not only shares knowledge but also actively learns from one another promises to accelerate the pace of innovation.
In three years, when the project is coming to an end, what is your dream scenario for INSPIRING ERA?
In three years, my dream scenario for INSPIRING ERA is to see a thriving, dynamic European Research Area where the seeds we’ve planted for mutual learning and community engagement have blossomed. This would be a community where boundaries are diminished in favor of shared growth and success.
