On 13 May 2026 at 15:00, Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon will give a public lecture titled “How Science Gets Transformed: Past and Present” at the Estonian Academy of Sciences (Kohtu 6, Tallinn). The lecture will be followed by a panel discussion.
The event will be livestreamed on the Academy’s website.
The panel discussion, moderated by Marek Tamm, Vice-President of the Academy, will focus on the strengths and weaknesses of European science and Estonia’s position within it. Participants will discuss what the European Union should prioritize and what kind of cooperation is needed to remain competitive internationally, as well as what should guide Estonia.
Jean-Pierre Bourguignon served as President of the European Research Council (ERC) from 2014 to 2019 and as interim President from 2020 to 2021. He is a French mathematician, a highly regarded scientist, and an outstanding strategic leader in shaping European research funding policy. Under his leadership, the ERC became one of the world’s most prestigious research funding bodies and a gold standard of scientific excellence – often described as the “Olympic gold medal” of science. Many ERC-funded fundamental research projects later develop into groundbreaking and innovative applied research.
The event will be held in English. Please confirm your in-person attendance via the registration form by 11 May.
More information and the livestream
Jean-Pierre Bourguignon will also participate in discussions held on 13 May at Tallinn University and on 14–15 May at the University of Tartu, where participants will seek answers to the question of what Estonia should do to significantly increase the success of its researchers in obtaining ERC grants.
Former ERC President Jean-Pierre Bourguignon to Deliver a Public Lecture at the Academy of Sciences
Photo by Reti Kokk