European Materials Research Society

European Materials Research Society
Name	European Materials Research Society
Abbreviation	EMRS
Formation	1985
Type	Learned society
Headquarters	Strasbourg
Region served	Europe
Language	English
Leader title	President

European Materials Research Society is a pan-European learned society that promotes materials science and engineering across Europe, linking researchers, industry, and policymakers. Founded in the mid-1980s, the society organizes interdisciplinary conferences, publishes proceedings and journals, and recognizes contributions through awards. It acts as a hub connecting academic institutions, national laboratories, technology companies, and funding agencies across France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, and other European nations.

History

The society was established following initiatives involving institutions such as the Max Planck Society, CNRS, European Commission, Fraunhofer Society, and key universities like University of Cambridge, ETH Zurich, University of Oxford, Politecnico di Milano, and Delft University of Technology. Early meetings featured participants from Institut Laue–Langevin, CERN, Imperial College London, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and École Polytechnique. Over decades the society engaged with framework programmes including Framework Programme 6, Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, and interacted with research infrastructures such as ESFRI and facilities like ESRF, ILL, and EMBL. Milestones included partnerships with professional bodies like Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Physics, Materials Research Society (MRS), Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, and the establishment of recurring conferences and school programmes involving speakers from University of Manchester, Sorbonne University, and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.

Organization and Governance

Governance structures mirror other learned societies such as Royal Society, National Academy of Sciences, American Physical Society, and European Academy of Sciences. The society is steered by an elected council comprising representatives from national materials societies like British Ceramic Society, Deutscher Verband für Materialforschung, Società Italiana di Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali, and professional committees reflecting disciplines tied to Max Planck Institute for Iron Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Spanish National Research Council, and industry partners including Siemens, Thales Group, Airbus, and Nokia. Administrative offices liaise with municipal bodies in Strasbourg, regional authorities in Grand Est (administrative region), and legal advisers versed in statutes comparable to those of European Molecular Biology Organization and Royal Academy of Engineering.

Conferences and Meetings

The society organizes flagship annual and biannual events comparable to meetings held by Materials Research Society (MRS), Gordon Research Conferences, International Conference on Materials Science and Engineering, and regional symposia echoing formats from European Physical Society gatherings. Notable meetings occur in venues such as Palais des Congrés de Strasbourg, Messe Berlin, Fira Barcelona, Palazzo dei Congressi (Rome), and academic campuses at University of Barcelona, University of Warsaw, and University of Helsinki. The society collaborates on specialized workshops with CERN, ESRF, Diamond Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, and cross-disciplinary schools alongside European School of Materials, Erice School, and training programmes promoted by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

Publications and Awards

The society disseminates proceedings and edited volumes similar to publications from Elsevier, Springer Nature, IOP Publishing, and Wiley. Its conference proceedings attract contributions from groups at University of Cambridge, CEA, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Oxford Materials Group, and industrial R&D labs like Philips Research. Awards administered reflect traditions of prizes such as Nobel Prize in Physics, Wolf Prize, MRS Medal, and national recognitions by Royal Society or Académie des sciences. Laureates have included researchers affiliated with Max Planck Institutes, CNRS UMRs, ETH Zurich, Karolinska Institutet, and corporate innovators from Siemens AG and Roche. Editorial collaborations have involved editors from journals like Nature Materials, Advanced Materials, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, and Acta Materialia.

Education, Outreach, and Collaborations

Educational activities include summer schools, doctoral training similar to programmes at European Doctoral School, and outreach coordinated with museums and centers like Science Museum (London), Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, and Musée des Arts et Métiers. Collaborations extend to EU initiatives including European Innovation Council, European Institute of Innovation and Technology, and national funding bodies such as UK Research and Innovation, ANR, DFG, and Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca. The society partners with international societies like Materials Research Society (MRS), TMS (The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society), International Union of Materials Research Societies, and organizations involved in standards such as European Committee for Standardization.

Membership and Regional Chapters

Membership comprises individuals and institutional members from universities like Technical University of Munich, KU Leuven, Universitat de Barcelona, national laboratories such as Helmholtz Association, CNR, and companies including BASF, ABB, and Ericsson. Regional chapters and affiliated societies operate in countries including Spain, Portugal, Greece, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Czech Republic, fostering links with national academies like Austrian Academy of Sciences and local research councils. The network supports mobility through schemes akin to Erasmus+ and joint fellowships with institutions such as École Normale Supérieure, Scuola Normale Superiore, and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

Category:Scientific societies Category:Materials science organizations