Former COST Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) member and COST national Coordinator (CnC) for Estonia
What are you most proud of in your term as CSO member?
I started at COST in 2001 and finished my job as member of the COST CSO/CNC in 2018. Although Estonia has been a COST member since 1997, I can say that I started from scratch. At the end of my career, I could confirm that the Estonian research community respects and values COST. This is shown by the factthat our top researchers participate in COST activities.
In what way is COST important for your country?
We conducted several COST studies. Based on the answers, it turned out that the most valued outcomes of COST were cooperation in the field of research(83%), improving the capacity of international cooperation (80%) and finding new partners in COST (78%).
Where do you place COST in the wider field of EU R&I policies?
COST is a gap-filler – it supports cooperation between different types of organisations, different career levels, cooperation between participants with different opportunities, etc. COST is a combination of strong competition, but also inclusion and empowerment.
How important is COST in connecting research communities in Europe?
The fact that we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of COST shows that, despite the major changes that have taken place in the European research and innovation landscape during this period, researchers still need networks of their own initiative.
What is the best memory you have of your time at COST?
Collegiality and the ability to mobilise oneself in difficult moments.
What role can COST play in the “new” European Research Area?
I hope COST remains at the forefront of communication between scientists. COST stands for global collaboration, despite the different reefs in global collaboration, helping to bring bright minds together around the world.
How would you describe COST in one word or a sentence?
Opportunity to prove yourself.