Bourguignon appointed next president of the ERC
The European Commission has appointed Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon as the next President of the European Research Council (ERC).
Bourguignon, a French mathematician, will take over in his new role as of 1 January 2014, replacing Professor Helga Nowotny. He will be the first ERC president to be based in Brussels. He joins the ERC at a vital moment for its further development, with a budget of over €13bn under Horizon 2020.
European Research, Innovation and Science Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn said: “Just six years since its launch, the ERC has won a global reputation for funding the best curiosity-driven research. It now needs continued strong leadership and imagination to elevate its standing further. Professor Bourguignon is the right choice for this task, given his distinguished academic career, international renown, and proven record of leadership. I am confident that he will defend the ERC principles of excellence and independence.”
Professor Bourguignon is appointed by the European Commission for a term of office limited to four years, renewable once. The ERC was led by Greek biologist Professor Fotis Kafatos from 2007 to 2010, and then by Austrian social scientist Professor Helga Nowotny from 2010 to 2013.
Nowotny commented: “With his highly distinguished and international academic profile, Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon will be able to build on what has been achieved so far, but he will need to be vigilant to safeguard the unique specificity of the ERC in the years to come. I am sure that Professor Bourguignon will provide strong leadership and that the ERC will continue to thrive.”
