The European Research Council at Annual meeting of the New Champions 2014, "Summer Davos" 10 - 12 September 2014, Tianjin, Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC)

ERC participants:

 Prof. Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, President,  Prof. Sierd Cloetingh, Member of the European Research Council Scientific Council, European Research Council

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 Dr Aikaterini (Katerina) Fotopoulou, Reader  Prof. Morten Overgaard, Professor, Head of (Associate Professor), Division of Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Unit Language Sciences, Faculty of BrainSciences, (CNRU), Co-Director of Danish Integrative University College London (UK). Neuroscience Alliance (DINEA), University of Aarh ERC Starting Grant holder us (DK). ERC Starting Grant holder

 Prof. Antoine Jerusalem, Associate Professor,  Dr Panayiota Poirazi, Director of Research, Department of Engineering Science, University of Computational Biology Laboratory, Institute of Oxford (UK). ERC Starting Grant holder Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation of Research and Technology- Hellas FORTH (IL). ERC Starting Grant holder

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 Prof. Michael Bronstein, Assistant Professor,  Dr Anna Scaife, Reader, School of Physics and Institute of Computational Science, Faculty of Astronomy, University of Southampton (UK). ERC Informatics, University of Lugano (CH). Starting Grant holder ERC Starting Grant holder  Dr Suchitra Sebastian, Associate Professor,  Dr Michelle Moram, Lecturer in Energy Materials, Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Materials, University of Cambridge (UK). Imperial College London (UK). ERC Starting Grant holder ERC Starting Grant holder  Prof. Christoph Stampfer, Head, Second  Dr Victor M. Panaretos, Assistant Professor Institute of Physics A, RWTH Aachen (DE). of Mathematical Statistics, EPFL (CH). ERC Starting Grant holder ERC Starting Grant holder  Dr Sriram Subramanian, Professor of Human- Computer interaction, University of Bristol (UK). ERC Starting Grant holder

Below is an overview of the sessions during the Annual meeting of the New Champions in which nine ERC speakers will participate either as panellists, facilitators or discussion leaders. Several sessions will be open to the reporting press. As the programme may still change, please also consult the WEF official programme.

ERC Press contact: Madeleine Drielsma; mobile: +32 498 98 43 97 - [email protected]

Programme

Wednesday 10 Sep.

*** Press conference ***

EUROPEAN RESEARCH COUNCIL – CREATING VALUE THROUGH SCIENCE

(09:00-09:30, MCEC, Press conference room)

Description: ERC leaders will discuss how investing in cutting-edge frontier research sparks new breakthroughs and innovations; and ERC's contribution to the global brain circulation by supporting scientists from anywhere in the world, including . An ERC grant winner will share her perspective on how the ERC helps young researchers follow their scientific dreams. Speakers:  President Prof. Jean-Pierre Bourguignon  Prof. Sierd Cloetingh  Katerina Fotopoulou; ERC grantee studying the interactions between brain and body

To schedule interviews with ERC speakers or grantees, please contact Madeleine Drielsma, ERC Press Advisor ([email protected]; tel +32 498 98 43 97)

Ideas Lab with the ERC (10:15-11:30, MCEC, IdeasLab 2, Simultaneous interpretation in English and Mandarin Chinese)

The session is on record.

Description: How are breakthroughs in brain research transforming our understanding of health and self?

Discover and debate in the IdeasLab: Idea 1: Decoding the brain's memory strategies Idea 2: Modelling the brain's response to trauma Idea 3: Integrating consciousness in clinical and theoretical neuroscience Idea 4: Unveiling the origins of the embodied self

Introduction by President Jean-Pierre Bourguignon Speakers:  Panayiota Poirazi, ERC grantee  Antoine Jerusalem, ERC grantee  Morten Overgaard, ERC grantee  Katerina Fotopoulou, ERC grantee

Moderator: Ed Gerstner, Executive Editor China, Nature Magazine

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Tomorrow's Consumer Technology (10:30-11:30, MCEC, BetaZone, Simultaneous interpretation in English, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese)

Description: Will the future of computing be touch or touchless? Speakers:  Chris Harrison, Assistant Professor, Human-Computer Interactions, Carnegie Mellon University, USA  Sriram Subramanian, ERC grantee

Mentors' press conference (14:00-14:30, MCEC Press conference room)

Description: Four mentors of AMNC, prominent figures from the world of business and science, will discuss the global agenda and share their experience with the generation of upcoming leaders. Speakers:  President Jean-Pierre Bourguignon  Dong Mingzhu, President, Gree Electric Appliances Inc of Zhuhai  Kevin P. Ryan, Founder and Chairman, Gilt Groupe Inc

Moderator: Adrian Monck, Managing Director, Head of Public Engagement, World Economic Forum

Ancient Remedies for Modern Ailments (14:00-15:00, MCEC, Room Geneva, Simultaneous interpretation in English, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese)

This session is on the record. Description: How can the integration of ancient traditions and modern medical innovations make people healthier? Speakers:  Yan Xijun, Chairman of the Board, Tasly Holding Group  Faye Yip, Tai Chi Master, Deyin Taijiquan Institute  Katerina Fotopoulou, ERC grantee

Moderator: Steve Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer, PATH

Thursday 11 Sep.

Discover! Quantum Technology (09:00-09:45, MCEC, Discover!, Simultaneous interpretation in English and Mandarin Chinese)

Description: From impenetrable cybersecurity to boundless computing power, the potential applications of quantum mechanics to information science promise a revolution in communications and computer technologies. Explore the research and the scientists behind the quantum technologies revolution. Speakers:  Vlatko Vedral, Co-Director, Oxford Martin Programme on Bio-Inspired Quantum Technologies  Suchitra Sebastian, ERC grantee  Christoph Stampfer, ERC grantee

Moderator: Joe Palca, Science Correspondent, National Public Radio

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New Business Models for Science (09:00-11:00, MCEC, Workspace, Simultaneous interpretation in English and Mandarin Chinese)

Description: What is required to turn scientific research into a commercial success?

Speakers:  Howard Alper, Chair and President, Science, Technology Innovation Council, Canada  Prof. Sierd Cloetingh  Francis Gurry, Director- General, World Intellectual Property Organisation  Yuko Harayama, Executive Member, Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI), Cabinet Office of , Japan  Henry Chesbrough, Faculty Director, Garwood Center for Corporate Innovation, University of California  Christopher E. Nelson, President and CEO, Kemin Industries, USA  Xu Jinghong, Chairman, Tsinghua Holdings Co, China  Dainus Pavalkis, Minister, Ministry of Education and Science, Lithuania

Facilitator: Henry Chesbrough, Faculty Director, Garwood Center for Corporate Innovation, Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, USA

Creative Spark: How to boost confidence (09:00-09:45, MCEC, Room Geneva, Simultaneous interpretation in English, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese)

This session is on record. Description: Musician Dana Leong and neuroscientist Morten Overgaard come together to explore the mechanics of developing confidence. This series pairs artists and scientists to spark new insights into the life skills needed to fuel innovation. Speakers:  Dana Leong, Composer and Musician, Tateo Sound  Morten Overgaard, ERC grantee

Moderator: Daniel Isenberg, Professor of Entrepreneurship Practice, Babson Executive Education, USA

Discover! New Materials (10:15-11:00, MCEC, Discover!, Simultaneous interpretation in English and Mandarin Chinese)

Description: From powerful nano and next-generation solid state batteries to the wonder material graphene and futuristic circuit elements, new materials science promises to revolutionize everything from the device in your pocket to the building and information technologies around you. Explores the research and the scientists behind the headlines on the new materials science revolution. Speakers:  Kim Sang Ouk, Chair Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)  Michelle Moram, ERC grantee  Jennifer Rupp, Professorship Electrochemical Materials, Group Head, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Moderator: Michael Segal, Editor in Chief, Nautilius

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New Champions Plenary: Creating value through innovation (11:30-12:30, MCEC, Plenary Hall (Simultaneous interpretation in English, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese)

This session is open to reporting press, on the record and webcast live. Description: How are New Champions shaping a better future through their innovations? Join the Forum’s New Champions to explore the data revolution, talent for the 21st century, technology for healthier lives, and more.

Speakers:  Vikram Chandra, Presenter and Editor, New Dehli Television (NDTV)  Matsi Modise, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, South African Black Entrepreneurs Forum, South Africa  Sara Sutton Fell, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, USA  Marc Freedman, Founder and CEO, Encore, Europe  Linda Yueh, Presenter and Chief Business Correspondent, BBC News

Turning Science into Business (14:00-14:45, MCEC, Room Bern, simultaneous interpretation in English, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese)

This session is on record.

Description: Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, a Mentor of the AMNC 2014, shares his perspective on how to translate scientific breakthroughs into business opportunities.

Speakers: President Jean-Pierre Bourguignon

Moderator: David Aikman, Managing Director, Head of New Champions, WEF

The Global Science Outlook (17:15-18:15, MCEC, Arena, Simultaneous interpretation in English, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese)

This session is open to reporting press, on the record and webcast live.

Description: How can the science community generate further value for society?

Speakers:  President Jean-Pierre Bourguignon  Thomas R. Insel, Director, National Institute of Mental Health, USA  Chen Zhangliang, Vice President, China Association for Science and Technology  Jim Andrew, Executive Vice President; Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer; Chairman Sustainability Board, Member Executive Committee, Royal Philips,

Moderator: Mariette diChristina, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

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Friday 12 Sep.

Creative Spark: How to embrace experimentation (10:30-11:15, MCEC, Room Geneva, Simultaneous interpretation in English, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese)

This session is on the record

Description: Chef René Redzepi and computational neuroscientist Panayiota Poirazi come together to explore the act of doing and of making-do with what is at hand to create something new. This series pairs artists and scientists to spark new insights into the life skills needed to fuel innovation.

Speakers:  René Redzepi, Founder and Chef, Noma, Denmark  Panayiota Poirazi, ERC grantee

Moderator: Daniel Isenberg, Professor of Entrepreneurship Practice, Babson Executive Education, USA

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European Research Council (ERC)

Set up in 2007 by the European Union, the ERC stimulates scientific excellence in Europe by encouraging competition for funding between the very best, creative researchers of any nationality and age. The ERC is already seen as a success story for Europe.

Since its launch, the ERC has funded around 4 500 researchers (both early-career and senior). There are also several Chinese top scientists amongst the grant winners.

The ERC has become a "benchmark" for competitiveness of national research systems. With a budget of over €13 billion from 2014-2020, the ERC supports leading researchers and their innovative ideas with up to €3.5 million per grant. It operates by an 'investigator-driven', 'bottom-up' approach, which allows researchers to identify new opportunities in any field of research.

The ERC, based in Brussels, is composed of an Executive Agency and a Scientific Council. The latter sets the ERC scientific strategy and consists of 22 top scientists and scholar, including Nobel Prize winners. Since January 2014, the ERC is led by President Prof. Jean- Pierre Bourguignon, who took over after Prof. Helga Nowotny.

This is the third time that the ERC participates in the Annual Meeting of the New Champions, “Summer Davos”. Since 2013, the ERC also attends the World Economic Forum meetings in Davos, Switzerland.

Links

ERC website

ERC speakers' biographies

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