The European Research Council (ERC) is taking part in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss how blue sky research brings about innovation.

Amongst other leaders, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Carlos Moedas and ERC president Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon will today participate in the five-day event to underline Europe’s efforts to attract top scientists.

Moedas commented: “It will be important to discuss the European Union’s role in the 4th Industrial Revolution at Davos this week. One thing is for sure, there will be no revolution without supporting the kind of interdisciplinary, frontier research that will lead to innovation in European industry and manufacturing.

“That is why the work of European Research Council grantees is so important. We need our best minds to push the boundaries of research, while policymakers work harder with the scientific community to create flexible innovation ecosystems that are capable of dealing with sudden and unprecedented changes in the world around us.”

Bourguignon added: “The whole idea of the European Research Council is based on the power of curiosity-driven science and serendipity to bring about major scientific breakthroughs. That’s why the ERC funds top researchers, no matter where they come from, to let them develop their ambitious projects in any field – from sociology to nanotechnology, genetics or logics. Providing substantial support, the ERC helps Europe attract more top talent and to make it a natural home for first-class science.”

At the summit, the ERC will also be represented by 13 of its funded researchers who will speak in 16 sessions showcasing their research. Amongst them are two renowned economists: Professor Hélène Rey, who will share her expertise in global financial cycles, and Nobel Prize winner Professor Sir Christopher Pissarides, who will give his insights into unemployment.

The ERC will also hold an IdeasLab session with four grantees who will speak about the future of computing.

Follow the event live via the Davos 2016 webstream.

The post ERC advocates cutting-edge research in Davos appeared first on Horizon 2020 Projects.