Position Papers

SSH Integration in Horizon Europe and its Missions

In this contribution, EASSH makes a plea for a better understanding of the SSH research contribution and demonstrates that the Missions have so far failed to ensure that an inclusive mechanism is in place. We hope that the second call for experts can identify some good academic profiles to be included.

SSH integration in Horizon 2020: Lessons for Horizon Europe

EASSH recommends four crucial steps: 1) A European Social Platform needs to be established to complement the existing 41 ETPs to create efficient communication between the SSH community and the EC, which EASSH would be happy to host 2) Co-design of calls & topics (here also a trusted ETP platform for structural consultation and SSH input in the process would be highly valuable) 3) Clear evaluation criteria to make the SSH component compulsory in flagged topics 4) Panels of experts from different disciplinary backgrounds across the whole programme.

Mission Covid-19: Global problems need a research portfolio approach

EASSH calls for European policymakers and funding agencies to ensure that all domains of research are mobilised to address the challenges of Covid-19, using a mission-type “portfolio approach” of projects and disciplines.

Resources for clusters in Horizon Europe

EASSH calls on Member states to maintain the ambition to transform European society by investing no less than 1.11% GDP in Europe. Such investment will support investment of a minimum of €98bn in Research, Innovation and Education, which can be transformative.

EASSH Response to EC Consultation on Horizon Europe (September 2019)

EASSH continues to support the focus on a strong and well-resourced Pillar. We support a coherent set of equitably resourced clusters, which retain a central focus on addressing citizens’ concerns. Social sciences and humanities are scholarly fields on a par with medicine or engineering, for example. The contributions made by researchers in SSH must be assessed by suitably qualified experts.

Interdisciplinary perspectives for Horizon Europe: Lessons from the 4th SSH Integration Monitor Report

EASSH welcomes the continued commitment of the European Commission to integrate SSH expertise and to continue evaluating the quality of such integration. However, in the four years of monitoring Horizon 2020 (2012-2017), the integration of SSH across the societal challenges has remained very weak.