14 March 2023 | This year, the six EuroTech Universities will award, for the first time, a joint prize to three of their most promising early-career researchers. With submissions still possible until 9 April, we asked jury member Tatiana Panteli a few questions about the rationale of the award and its gains for the winners. Tatiana also has some advice for applicants.
Interview with Tatiana Panteli
Head of the EuroTech Brussels Office
EuroTech Future Award Jury Member
Tatiana, can you tell us a bit about the EuroTech Future Award and its purpose?
The EuroTech Future Award is an award launched by our six EuroTech Universities1 to recognise and celebrate early-career researchers who have made excellent contributions to the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals. The award aims to encourage and support up-and-coming researchers who are working towards finding solutions to problems that concern all of us and who are promoting sustainable development. We would like to shine the spotlight on them as they are laying the foundations for the world of tomorrow.
What are the criteria that you use to evaluate the applicants’ work?
The applicants’ work is evaluated based on several criteria, including the quality of their research, the potential impact of their work on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the scientific and technological innovation involved, as well as the potential for future development and scalability. We also look at the applicants’ professional achievements and their ability to communicate their research to a wider audience.
What advice would you give to potential applicants?
Ensure that your research aligns with one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals and clearly articulate the potential impact of your work on society. It’s also essential to highlight the innovative aspects of your research. Finally, we are looking for candidates who can demonstrate communication skills, so it’s important to showcase your ability to clearly explain your research and its potential impact to policymakers and citizens, for instance.
What can the winners expect to gain from the EuroTech Future Award?
The winners will receive a cash prize and a trip to Brussels to present their research to policymakers from the European institutions and national representations, and to representatives of other academic institutions, associations, and the industry. This award is a great opportunity to showcase your research, gain recognition for your work, and connect with other stakeholders working towards the same goals. Additionally, it can be a valuable career development opportunity, helping to raise your profile and open up new opportunities for collaboration and research funding.
Thank you very much!
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1 The six EuroTech Universities are: Technical University of Denmark (DTU), École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), École Polytechnique, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Technical University of Munich (TUM)
