A researcher from the University of Warsaw will be advising the European Commission on manners related to science

Professor Joanna Pinińska from the Faculty of Geology of the University of Warsaw was selected to be the member of the Science and Technology Advisory Council, established by the President of the European Commission. The group of 15 independent experts is to ensure scientific support in political decision-making in the European Union.

Members of the Council represent the academia, business and NGOs. They are specialists form a wide array of disciplines of the European Research Area. They were selected on the basis of their scientific achievement, experience and communication skills.

Professor Joanna Pinińska is the head of the Department of Geomechanics at the Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology. She specializes in engineering geology, environmental protection and geomechanics. She is a member of the Helsinki Group on Women and Science at the European Commission, which promotes women in science.

Apart from the Polish scientist, the Council is composed of experts from countries including Italy, Spain, Hungary, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany and Portugal. They were selected by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, with the approval of Professor Anne Glover, who at the beginning of this year was appointed Chief Scientific Adviser to the President of the European Commission.

The main task of the newly established council is to provide advice the President of the European Commission. President Barosso justified creation of the council stating that "science and innovation are key drivers for European competitiveness, economic growth and the creation of new jobs. This Advisory Council will focus on science and technology related topics that are of cross-cutting nature, with a clear societal dimension. It will identify the issues of value where science, research and innovation can contribute to support future development in Europe".

More information: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-168_en.htm?locale=en