Interview: The voice of experience

MEP Christian Ehler knows what to expect from the Parliament’s research committee

As the EU sets sail on another five-year term and prepares to launch another seven-year research programme with an influx of new MEPs, it may be grateful for the steady hand of Christian Ehler. A German MEP since 2004, Ehler has been a member of the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee (Itre) since 2009, and has again returned to the influential body.

Three interlinked issues will dominate the coming year of its discussions, he told Research Europe. The first is how the EU’s research efforts can better serve its regional development aims, especially by linking up with structural funds that support less-developed parts of member states. Second, MEPs will focus on how research can support the bloc’s diplomatic agendas. Finally, there will be an unprecedented community effort to shape the funding calls for the first years of the EU’s next R&D programme, Horizon Europe.