The European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) as the New Normal?

Abstract

The establishment of Research Infrastructures in Europe, often referred to as Big Science, has been a consistent focus of ad-hoc intergovernmental politics among member states and international partners since the latter half of the 20th century. In 2009, the European Commission introduced the European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC), a unique legal framework governed by Community law for the operation of these infrastructures. This marked a pivotal moment in the organisation and governance of Research Infrastructures. This article represents a first attempt to trace the emerging role of the ERIC framework within the Research Infrastructure landscape in Europe. Taking a historical perspective starting in the early 2000s, we explore the evolving organisation of Research Infrastructures in Europe and its effects on processes of Europeanisation. Despite the novelty of the ERIC framework, our analysis reveals significant parallels with established patterns of negotiating Big Science projects in Europe during the second half of the 20th century.