On 16th of December, the Institute of Solid State Physics UL (ISSP UL) hosted a significant seminar under the Smart Windows for Zero Energy Buildings (SWEB) project. Dr. Sven Oras from the University of Tartu delivered an engaging presentation on “Overview of ERA-Chair MATTER Activities.” This presentation provided a detailed look at the MATTER project and their focus on research excellence, talent development, and long-term strategic goals. Members of the SWEB team, along with representatives from the FeLow-D project, participated in the seminar, which served as a platform for sharing ideas and practical experiences.
Following the presentation, a roundtable discussion explored critical aspects of managing ERA-Chair projects, highlighting the programme specific challenges and opportunities. Topics included strategies for effective recruitment, supporting young researchers through Individual Development Plans (IDPs), and fostering gender balance in STEM fields. Participants also discussed intellectual property rights (IPR) related issues to safeguard project findings and pathways for ensuring the sustainability of ERA-Chair teams, including attracting spin-off projects and aligning research with institutional and broader European goals. Dr. Oras’s insights offered valuable lessons for the participants, bridging theoretical concepts with practical applications relevant to ongoing projects.
This seminar supported ISSP UL’s commitment to fostering collaboration and advancing European research excellence. The discussions provided actionable takeaways for project teams, empowering them to enhance project strategies,to driving innovation and building sustainable research networks. SWEB team extends its gratitude to Dr. Sven Oras for his impactful presentation and to all participants for their active involvement in this collaborative learning experience.


