The construction of the European space. Towards a supranational system of innovation, 1952-2022

Abstract

The article outlines the evolution of the European research system from 1952 to 2022. It begins with the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community, the first organisation to promote research on a European scale, and ends with the introduction of the EU Chips Act, legislation intended to transform European research through a more mission-oriented approach. Between these two milestones lies a long journey spanning seven decades, from the challenging early days of collaboration to the establishment of a supranational innovation system. While this path was driven by the needs of the community of European countries, the article argues that its development was often determined by external factors.