My passion to serve the research community: an interview with Academia Europaea’s new President, Professor Marja Makarow

My passion to serve the research community: an interview with Academia Europaea’s new President, Professor Marja Makarow


In her first interview since becoming President of Academia Europaea, Professor Marja Makarow tells us about her leadership roles and sets out some of her priorities for Academia Europaea.

About Professor Marja Makarow MAE

Professor Marja Makarow is a Molecular Cell Biologist. She has been Director of Biocenter Finland, Vice-President of the Finnish Research Council – Academy of Finland, Vice-Rector of the University of Helsinki and Chief Executive of the European Science Foundation. Professor Makarow advised the EU Commissioner for Research and Innovation in the European Research Area Board, and the Finnish Government in the Council for Research and Innovation Policy. She is a Board member of the European Innovation Council and former member of the Governing Board of the European Institute for Innovation and Technology. She has served as President of the European Molecular Biology Conference and delegate of Finland in the council of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, and she established the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland. Professor Makarow was elected to the Academia Europaea in 2009. Her term as AE President commenced on 1st January 2022.

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A life in science with Professor Ole Petersen

A life in science with Professor Ole Petersen

We were thrilled to interview Professor Ole Petersen, winner of Academia Europaea’s Gold Medal 2021 and the Cardiff Knowledge Hub’s Academic Director. Professor Petersen spoke to us about the honour of receiving the Gold Medal, the current challenges he sees for science, and also shared personal reflections on his career.

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Professor Ole Petersen receives Academia Europaea’s Gold Medal in Barcelona

Professor Ole Petersen receives Academia Europaea’s Gold Medal in Barcelona

Professor Ole Petersen has received the Gold Medal for his contribution to the development of European science at Academia Europaea’s Annual Conference.

Professor Sierd Cloetingh, President of Academia Europaea, presented the Gold Medal to Professor Petersen in Barcelona on 20th October, thanking him for his service to the Academy over many decades.

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Transitioning to new energy systems: What impact will it have on society and on our lives?

Transitioning to new energy systems: What impact will it have on society and on our lives?

On 11 October, an international audience of 150 people joined our panel of experts to discuss the impact that moving away from fossil fuels to new energy sources may have on our lives.

This online event was organised by SAPEA (Science Advice for Policy by European Academies) and Academia Europaea.

You’ll find an overview of the webinar and key points from the speakers below, together with a recording of the event for those who were unable to attend or would like to watch again.

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2021 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to three members of Academia Europaea

2021 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to three members of Academia Europaea

Our congratulations to Professor Syukuro Manabe MAE, Professor Klaus Hasselmann MAE, and Professor Giorgio Parisi MAE, who are among this year’s Nobel Prize winners.

  • Photos of Nobel prize winners: Professor Syukuro Manabe MAE, Professor Klaus Hasselmann MAE, and Professor Giorgio Parisi MAE
    Professor Syukuro Manabe MAE, Professor Klaus Hasselmann MAE, and Professor Giorgio Parisi MAE

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 2021 “for ground-breaking contributions to our understanding of complex physical systems”.

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Cardiff maps EU policy landscape for major new energy report

Cardiff maps EU policy landscape for major new energy report

A team at Cardiff University has mapped the European policy landscape for the latest SAPEA Evidence Review Report on energy transition.

On 29th June 2021, the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism published two major documents on a systemic approach to the energy transition in Europe.

The Evidence Review Report from SAPEA (Science Advice for Policy by European Academies) presents the latest scientific evidence on this topic, together with a series of evidence-based policy options, while the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors’ Scientific Opinion, informed by this evidence, presents key policy recommendations.

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Celebrating five years of the Academia Europaea in Cardiff

Celebrating five years of the Academia Europaea in Cardiff

We are delighted to be marking our 5th anniversary and this week we are celebrating this important milestone.

It has been 5 years since the AE Cardiff Hub was officially launched at the Academia Europaea Annual Meeting in 2016. In celebration of our 5th anniversary, we are pleased to share with you a special brochure which provides an overview of our achievements and activities over the last 5 years – the projects we’ve led, international events that we’ve organised, and key partners we’ve worked with.

Read our 5-year commemorative brochure

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A special collective spirit: Reflections on my time as President of Academia Europaea by Professor Sierd Cloetingh

A special collective spirit: Reflections on my time as President of Academia Europaea by Professor Sierd Cloetingh

To mark our 5th anniversary, we are delighted to interview Professor Sierd Cloetingh who shares highlights from his role as President of Academia Europaea and reflects on the impact of the Academy’s work.

Professor Sierd Cloetingh, President of Academia Europaea, welcomes the delegates

About Professor Sierd Cloetingh MAE

Sierd Cloetingh is a Distinguished Professor at Utrecht University. He was elected President of Academia Europaea in July 2014.

Professor Cloetingh was a member of the Scientific Council of the European Research Council from 2009-2015 and Vice-President from 2014-2015. He served as President of the Association for European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) from 2017-2019.

Professor Cloetingh is a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and Foreign Member of the Royal Norwegian Academy of Sciences, the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences, the Heidelberg Academy, the Bavarian Academy and the German Academy for Technical Sciences, acatech. He is also an honorary member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

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EU policy on biodegradable plastics: experts, policymakers and other stakeholders discuss the issues

EU policy on biodegradable plastics: experts, policymakers and other stakeholders discuss the issues

This webinar brought together EU policymakers and stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges in developing a policy framework for biodegradable plastics. Held on 16th June 2021, it was attended by 300 people.

The event was hosted by Mohammed Chahim MEP, Co-chair of the Circular Economy Working Group of the European Parliament Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development. It is part of a series of events drawing on the SAPEA Evidence Review Report Biodegradability of plastics in the open environment and the associated Scientific Opinion by the European Commission’s Group of Chief Scientific Advisors.

An overview of the webinar discussions is provided below.

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Biodegradable plastics: how do we engage with consumers and society?

Biodegradable plastics: how do we engage with consumers and society?

A lively discussion took place at our webinar on 21st May 2021, as a panel of experts shared their ideas on biodegradable plastics and how to engage with consumers and society. Over 200 people joined the online event from 37 countries around the world.

The webinar was organised by SAPEA, in partnership with the Royal Irish Academy, as part of a series of events drawing on the Evidence Review Report ‘Biodegradable plastics in the open environment’ and the associated Scientific Opinion by the European Commission’s Group of Chief Scientific Advisors.

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