Vital relationship-building tops to-do list for incoming ERC president

Warm welcome given to Maria Leptin as head of the European Research Council

Research leaders have welcomed the appointment of Maria Leptin as president of the European Research Council, expressing hope that she can safeguard the independence and reputation of the high-profile funder after the departure of Mauro Ferrari left it in disarray.

Leptin will take over from interim head Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, who was picked to steady the ship at the ERC after the departure of nanomaterials researcher Ferrari. Ferrari was forced to resign in April last year, just over three months into a four-year term, after falling out spectacularly with the funder’s Scientific Council.