Newsletter
Martin Andler
New honorary member of the MCAA, President of the Initiative for Science in Europe Martin Andler, encourages the Association to continue being the voice of researchers in Europe by actively participating in public debates.
Martin Andler is a mathematician and professor emeritus at the University of Versailles-Saint-Quentin, part of Paris-Saclay University. In addition to his academic career, for the past decades, he’s been actively involved in diverse projects promoting young people’s participation in mathematics, as well as connections between science, policy, and society. Before his current position as the President of the Initiative for Science in Europe (ISE), an independent platform of European learned societies and research organisations, his responsibilities have included serving as the Vice President of Euroscience and several times as part of the programme committee of the Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF).
How does it feel to receive this recognition?
“When I first heard the news, I was elated. I felt that somehow a little amount of radiation from Marie Sklodowska-Curie herself had hit me! More seriously speaking, the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions is a magnificent programme, with a huge and, to some extent, underrated impact. Receiving the award at the MCAA Annual Conference 2024 in Italy made it even more precious, given the modern European idea was born in Italy in 1941 with the Ventotene Manifesto, written by Altiero Spinelli, Ernesto Rossi, Eugenio Colorni, and co-author Ursula Hirschmann, calling for a federated European republic.”
What kind of a journey have you had with the MCAA that led you to this recognition?
“For almost six years as the president of the ISE, I have been working closely with MCAA Board members and/or Chairs. They have given us energy and enthusiasm, as well as excellent political acumen. All of this is, of course, very important for an organisation that wants to carry the voice of researchers in Europe.”
What advice do you have for the future of the MCAA?
“Speak out, speak out, speak out! There are lots of issues where we have things to say, but we scientists tend to be too polite. We prefer doing good work with our colleagues in our research teams rather than expressing our needs. This is all the more true at the European level, given its complicated institutions. However, the power of a democracy not only relies on its citizens voting, but also on what political philosophers call deliberation: people’s participation in public debates. If some important stakeholders abstain from speaking, it should not be surprising that they are not heard.”
Kira Keini
MCAA Communication Officer
kira.keini@mariecuriealumni.eu
@kirakeini