At the ERIC Forum Annual Meeting in Brussels today, CESSDA’s Executive Director Bonnie Wolff-Boenisch was unanimously elected Chair of the ERIC Forum Executive Board. She replaces Antje Keppler, from the Euro-BioImaging ERIC. Eija Juurola, Director General of ACTRIS ERIC, becomes the new Vice Chair, replacing Allen Weeks of ELI ERIC.

The ERIC Forum brings together the ERIC community, made of 32 ERICs to strengthen their governance and operations, forge collaborations, and contribute to the development of ERIC-related policies.
It is funded by the European Union’s Horizon and Horizon Europe Action.

Bonnie receiving flowers and well-wishes from Jens Habermann, Director of BBMRI ERIC. 

“I am honoured to have been elected Chair of the ERIC Forum. The prospect of supporting the consolidation of the Forum’s achievements and strengthening European research infrastructures as strategic assets of ERA is very attractive,” said Bonnie Wolff-Boenisch of the appointment. “CESSDA is committed to fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge across research infrastructures. By strengthening our collective voice and aligning our efforts, we can ensure that the ERICs continue to provide open, FAIR, and sustainable access to research data that benefits science and society as a whole.”

Bonnie speaking to the ERIC Forum as Chair of the Executive board for the first time, thanking them for their trust in her. 

The ERIC Forum facilitates meetings and discussions between ERICs, European Research Infrastructure Consortiums, and with the EC, European Commission. Twice a year the project arranges for physical meetups where ERICs can come together to discuss common challenges and best practices. 

CESSDA has been a part of the ERIC Forum since it was first established in 2017, but it’s the first time that CESSDA’s director has held the Chair position. 

Eija Juurola, Director General of ACTRIS ERIC, and now the new Vice Chair of the ERIC Forum.

The ERIC Forum Project is currently in its second implementation and aims to further structure the cooperation between the ERICs and to support the implementation of the ERICs’ policy, shaping their community identity and consolidating their integration within the European Research Area (ERA).

Representatives of the ERICs during the voting process. Bonnie can be seen in the background on the right. 

Photos: Vanja Komljenović