Increasing SSH Visibility

To tackle the current and future challenges Europe is facing, research in Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities (SSH) needs to play a major role in the next Framework for European research funding. NET4SOCIETY sets out to increase the visibility of SSH research and its impact on society and the European Research Area.

To promote this aim, NET4SOCIETY has formed a Taskforce (Task 3.5 “Increasing SSH visibility”) to underline the importance of SSH research with regard to the EU objectives of a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth within Europe.
We are actively contributing to the ongoing dialogues on designing a future framework for European research funding by making the case for a strong inclusion of SSH research in such a framework.
Together with other European organisations, NET4SOCIETY has composed an open letter to the EU Commissioner for Research and Innovation, that makes the case for a strong SSH research programme within the next European Framework Programme Horizon 2020. The letter can be signed online here.

In this context, NET4SOCIETY has also submitted a position paper in the EC Green Paper Consultation of the Common Strategic Framework for Future Research and Innovation Funding. We strive to connect to other stakeholders in the area of European SSH research – researchers, policy makers, civil society – to bundle all efforts of promoting SSH as an essential part of such a framework.
 
NET4SOCIETY sets out to increase the visibility of SSH research and its impact on society and the European Research Area. Among other things, it is planned to publish success stories regarding the impact of FP7 SSH projects online. We will also produce a specific newsletter on “SSH influencing Europe’s research” twice a year. Further press and media activities will add to these efforts.
It is also very important that SSH research shows presence concerning new research developments and approaches at European level, e.g. in regard to JTIs („Joint Technology Initiatives“) and the new initiatives for research funding intended under the label “Joint Programming”. If the mission of Joint Programming is that “Science and technology must be made to count in tackling Europe's major societal challenges“ [COM (2008) 468 final], SSH research has to be strongly involved. In this context, NET4SOCIETY will organise a conference on SSH opportunities within these new initiatives.
To fulfill the task of increasing the visibility of SSH, NET4SOCIETY will aim for a close cooperation with the European Commission and the FP7 SSH Programme Committee.