European Research Area

The construction of the European Research Area (ERA) is one of the most under-studied phenomena in European integration. This is surprising given its high political salience, and the urgent call in the Europe 2020 Strategy for its completion by 2014. As researchers studying ERA governance, we note both the lack of scholarly interest in these developments and the potential they offer for theorising, given the familiar sectoral tensions, as the ERA is a site of innovative governance where the Open-Method of Coordination and Community Method interact. As practitioners involved in implementing some of its measures, we have identified the structuring effects the ERA could have on how research will be conducted and funded in Europe and abroad.