As part of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the ESFRI Stakeholder Forum, a high-level expert panel was held on 11 June 2025 at the Auditorium Maximum of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. The discussion focused on the strategic role of European research infrastructures in strengthening technological sovereignty. The event was co-organised by the LEAPS consortium, and the debate was moderated by Prof. Jakub Szlachetko – Chair of LEAPS and Director of the National Synchrotron Radiation Centre SOLARIS.
The panel brought together experts from research, diplomacy, policy, and public administration, enabling a multidimensional and in-depth discussion on the future of Europe’s technological autonomy. Participants included José Luis Martínez (Chair of ESFRI), Michael Arentoft (European Commission), Antje Keppler (Chair of the ERIC Forum), Helmut Dosch (representing LEAPS), Cédric Peltier (Consul General of France), and Michał Goszczyński (Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education).
Their contributions addressed three interrelated topics: the definition of technological sovereignty in light of today’s geopolitical challenges, strategic tools supporting the development of technological independence (such as Horizon Europe and InvestEU), and the synergy between cohesion policy and the equitable development of research infrastructure across Europe — with particular attention to the role of widening countries.
LEAPS, as a strategic partner of the event, not only co-shaped the programme but also brought a unique perspective rooted in accelerator-based infrastructures, highlighting their fundamental role in boosting innovation, resilience, and the development of critical technologies in Europe. Helmut Dosch’s remarks, representing the LEAPS consortium, emphasised the urgent need to further strengthen the role of synchrotron and free-electron laser sources within Europe’s strategic technology roadmap.
The event attracted strong interest from the research community, public administration, and industry, becoming a prominent voice in the ongoing debate on the future of European research and innovation policies.
For those who were unable to attend in person, a full video recording of the panel discussion is available — we warmly invite you to watch it.
