The research performance of the European Commission’s Science and Knowledge Service, Joint Research Centre (2007-2015) - A bibliometric analysis

This report presents an assessment of the JRC's scientific and technical research activities in the period 2007-2015, focusing on research outputs and citation impact. The aim of the report is to inform a panel of independent experts, who will carry out an implementation review of the JRC half way the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020. The report provides information on the number of JRC research publications and the scientific impact of those publications, based on data and metrics derived from Thomson Reuter’s InCites platform and the Web of Science database.JRC.B.7-Knowledge for Finance, Innovation and Growt

JRC Data Policy

The work on the JRC Data Policy followed the task identified in the JRC Management Plan 2014 to develop a dedicated data policy to complement the JRC Policy on Open Access to Scientific Publications and Supporting Guidance, and to promote open access to research data in the context of Horizon 2020. Important policy commitments and the relevant regulatory basis within the European Union and the European Commission include: the Commission Decision on the reuse of Commission documents, Commission communication on better access to scientific information, Commission communication on a reinforced European research area partnership for excellence and growth, Commission recommendation on access to and preservation of scientific information, and the EU implementation of the G8 Open Data Charter.JRC.H.6-Digital Earth and Reference Dat

EX-POST EVALUATION OF THE DIRECT ACTIONS OF THE JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE UNDER THE SEVENTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMMES 2007-2013

The ex-post evaluation in this report provides the independent assessment requested in the Council Decisions concerning the specific programmes to be carried out by means of direct actions by the Joint Research Centre implementing the Seventh Framework Programmes (2007-2013) of the European Community and of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). The evaluation has been conducted by a panel of independent external experts under the chairmanship of Professor Patrick Cunningham. In this report the Panel concludes positively on the effectiveness of the JRC as the Commission’s science service in support of Euratom and EU policies. It also concludes that the JRC has a respectable scientific performance in its areas of competence. In particular, the JRC standard is high as regards the scientific quality and impact of its publications. Besides a number of recommendations for incremental improvement of the JRC the Panel also flags two issues with a view to transformative change of the JRC. To begin with the JRC should establish a long-term strategy before the mid-term evaluation of the Horizon 2020 framework programme in 2017. As the JRC further develops its function as scientific service of the Commission, there is a need to address the JRC’s governance as well as its interaction with the scientific community in the Member States. In light of this the Commission should task a Group of eminent personalities to put forward options for JRC governance, adapted to its functions of the future. These include scientific support, research, scientific advice, and knowledge management in partnership with the Member StatesJRC.ADV02-Adviser for Evaluation and Scientific Integrit

Powering Europe Sustainably: A Discussion Paper on the Potential Role of Biomass in the EU

Argues for further development of wood-based biomass as a renewable energy source for use in combined heat and power plants as an integral part of EU energy policy. Considers issues of data collection, competition for resources, and environmental effects

Interim Evaluation of the Direct Actions under the Euratom Research and Training Programme (2014 - 2018)

This report presents an interim evaluation of the direct actions of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission under the Euratom research and training programme (2014 - 2018), conducted halfway through the programme by a panel of high-level independent experts. The panel had extensive knowledge and experience in matters of Euratom research and the wider responsibilities of the European Commission related to nuclear safety and security in a European and an international context. During the reporting period the JRC has shown the ability to lead through coordination, bringing together its own research efforts with those in the Member States. The JRC concentrated its nuclear work in one directorate and more in general the JRC has given successful follow up to recommendations from previous evaluations. The European knowledge manager for nuclear safety and security; the European voice for nuclear; Responsible for the largest single nuclear research effort of the European Atomic Energy Community, the JRC shows its frontline position in this area in all modesty. As the European Commission’s science and knowledge service, the JRC has an excellent position to communicate reliable information on nuclear matters, not only to the nuclear organisations, but also to the other stakeholders, notably the politicians and the public. The positive conclusions and recommendations at the end of this report should help the JRC and the Commission preparing sound proposals for a Council regulation for the Euratom research and training programme 2019 - 2020 and for the next Euratom programme (2021 - 2025).JRC.ADV02-Adviser for Evaluation and Scientific Integrit

Data for life cycle assessment of legume biorefining for alcohol

Benchmarking the environmental sustainability of alcohol produced from legume starch against alcohol produced from cereal grains requires considering of crop production, nutrient cycling and use of protein-rich co-products via life cycle assessment. This article describes the mass balance flows behind the life cycle inventories for gin produced from wheat and peas (Pisum sativum L.) in an associated article summarising the environmental footprints of wheat- and pea-gin [1], and also presents detailed supplementary results. Activity data were collected from interviews with actors along the entire gin value chain including a distillery manager and ingredient and packaging suppliers. Important fertiliserand animal-feed substitution effects of co-product use were derived using detailed information and models on nutrient flows and animal feed composition, along with linear optimisation modelling. Secondary data on environmental burdens of specific materials and processes were obtained from the Ecoinvent v3.4 life cycle assessment database. This article provides a basis for further quantitative evaluation of the environmental sustainability of legume-alcohol value chains