ONLINE SEMINAR: Retaining and Attracting Research Talent in Europe: Challenges, Strategies, and Solutions

Ultra-peripheral regions, such as the Canary Islands and the Azores, face unique challenges in retaining research talent and highly qualified professionals. Geographic isolation, limited connectivity with other scientific and industrial ecosystems, and an underdeveloped business sector contribute to “brain drain.”

Join us for this online seminar, part of the EXPER Project, where leading European entities will share experiences and best practices in talent attraction and retention. We’ll explore strategies to strengthen the role of local universities in knowledge generation and the professional development of their researchers. This event offers a valuable opportunity to learn how institutions can collaborate to train the next generation of researchers while enhancing the attractiveness, stability, and working conditions of specialized careers, ultimately ensuring long-term talent retention in key sectors.

Date: Thursday, February 20, 2025 Time: 8:30 Azores / 9:30 Canary Islands / 10:30 CET Format: Online (Zoom)

Agenda:

• 09:15 – 09:30: Registration

• 09:30 – 09:35: Presentation of the EXPER project (Prof. Sebastian Lopez – Director for Research and Innovation, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)

• 09:35 – 09:45: EXPER report on causes of Brain Drain and conditions preventing it (Alice Gervasoni – Innovation Manager, EMERGE)

• 09:45 – 10:45: Best Practices Forum: How are European institutions addressing the challenges of attracting and retaining highly skilled talent? What collaborative efforts can be implemented to train the next generation of researchers while enhancing the attractiveness, stability, and working conditions of specialized careers? Finally, how can institutions collaborate to ensure long-term talent retention in key sectors?

  • Speakers:
    • María José Mariño Fontenla, Director of the Talent and Transfer Area at the Galician Innovation Agency (GAIN)
    • Claudine Leysinger, Head of Graduate Campus. Deans & Directors of Graduate Studies (DDoGs) at the University of Zurich (UZH)
    • Carmen Mendez, Creator and promoter of Relocation & Be Basque Dual Career Centre at Bizkaia Talent
    • Wieland Müller, Research Assistant at the Chair of Service Operations at the University of Rostock (UROS)
    • Vera Martinelli, Coordinator of the Talent Welcome Desk at Bologna For Talent (B4T)

• 10:45 – 11:00: Q&A Session

Register for the seminar here

View the full agenda here