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 often underdeveloped local business sector contribute to “brain drain,” hindering growth and innovation. This online seminar, a key activity of the EXPER Project, addresses these critical issues by bringing together leading European entities to share experiences and best practices in talent attraction and retention.
This event offers a valuable opportunity to learn from experts and peers about effective strategies for strengthening the role of local universities in knowledge generation and the professional development of their researchers. The seminar will delve into how institutions can collaborate to train the next generation of researchers, enhancing the attractiveness, stability, and working conditions of specialised careers. Crucially, discussions will focus on ensuring long-term talent retention in key sectors, fostering sustainable growth in these vital regions.
The seminar begins with registration at 9:15 (Canary Islands time, 8:30 Azores, 10:30 CET) on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Following registration, Prof. Sebastian Lopez, Vice-Rector for Research and Transfer at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, will introduce the EXPER project. Alice Gervasoni, Innovation Manager at EMERGE, will then present the EXPER report on the causes of Brain Drain and the conditions that can prevent it.
A central part of the seminar is the Best Practices Forum. This session will feature presentations from leading professionals across Europe, addressing the core challenges of attracting and retaining highly skilled talent. Speakers will explore how their institutions are tackling these issues and discuss potential collaborative efforts to train the next generation of researchers. They will address how to enhance the attractiveness, stability, and working conditions of research careers and how institutions can work together to ensure long-term talent retention. Confirmed speakers include María José Mariño Fontenla, Director of the Talent and Transfer Area at the Galician Innovation Agency (GAIN); Claudine Leysinger, Head of Graduate Campus 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).
The seminar will conclude with a Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage directly with the speakers and delve deeper into the topics presented. This interactive session will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and explore potential solutions to the challenges of talent retention in ultra-peripheral regions. The online format (Zoom) makes this important event accessible to a wide audience.
Register for the seminar here