ESFRI Announces the Election of its next Chair Dr Elena Hoffert
The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) is pleased to announce the election of its 10th Chair, Dr Elena Hoffert, whose term of office will commence in January 2027 for a duration of two years.
The election by the ESFRI Forum took place during the 96th ESFRI Forum Meeting, held in Nicosia, Cyprus, following the recommendation of the Search Committee.
With over two decades of experience in academic and scientific management, encompassing the coordination of international research projects, the establishment of research infrastructures, and the development of strong relationships with academic, industrial, and policy stakeholders, combined with extensive knowledge of national and European research programs, Dr Hoffert has a solid background for the ESFRI Chair position.
Dr Elena Hoffert succeeds Professor José Luis Martínez and, as future ESFRI Chair, will guide the strategic evolution of the Forum, supporting the implementation of the ESFRI Roadmap and strengthening the role of research infrastructures within the European Research Area (ERA). She will work closely with Member States and the European Commission to strengthen the sustainability, accessibility, and resilience of European research infrastructures.
This election marks an important milestone for ESFRI, as Dr Hoffert becomes the third woman to assume the role of ESFRI Chair in almost 25 years of ESFRI’s existence, while also ensuring continuity in leadership given her previous experience as ESFRI Vice-Chair. Her appointment reflects ESFRI’s commitment to strengthen its strategic direction at a crucial time for the European research infrastructure ecosystem.
At the same time, her leadership is expected to further reinforce the integration of national and European strategies in the field of research infrastructures, drawing on her extensive experience in shaping national roadmaps and participating in major international fora.
In her first statement following the election, Dr Hoffert highlighted: “As ESFRI chair, I will drive a holistic approach bridging research infrastructures, technology infrastructures, digital initiatives and industrial deployment to fuel Europe’s scientific excellence and innovation. We will embrace these strands to align funding, eliminate duplication, ensure resilience and position research infrastructures as the engine of Europe’s competitiveness and sovereignty.”
ESFRI Executive Board members and delegates welcomed the election and expressed confidence in Dr Elena Hoffert’s leadership and vision for the future of European research infrastructures.
The outgoing chair, Professor Martínez, expressed his clear positive sentiment towards the chair-elect and set the tone of what lies ahead: “The situation with regard to research infrastructures will be very dynamic in the near future, especially with the arrival of the new Framework Programme and the associated challenges within the holistic infrastructures’ ecosystem. Taking into account her experience and engagement with ESFRI activities over the last 10 years, I’m very happy that Elena Hoftert will take the role of ESFRI’s Chair for the coming years.”
Jean-David Malo, Acting Director for ERA & Innovation at DG RTD (European Commission), celebrated the new Chair’s election while bringing forward the leading role of ESFRI in expanding Europe’s scientific capacities: “I warmly congratulate Dr Elena Hoffert on her election as the next Chair of ESFRI. At a time when Europe is reinforcing the European Research Area and investing in its future competitiveness, ESFRI's leadership is more important than ever. Research infrastructures are strategic assets for Europe: they provide researchers and innovators with access to world-leading facilities, cutting-edge technologies, trusted services and FAIR data that underpin scientific discovery, technological development and industrial and breakthrough innovation. Working in close partnership with Member States, Associated Countries, stakeholders and the European Commission, ESFRI will continue to shape an integrated, sustainable and globally competitive research infrastructure ecosystem – one, together with technology infrastructures, that strengthens Europe's scientific excellence, technological sovereignty and capacity to deliver solutions for society and the economy, by notably reinforcing infrastructure capacities, their accessibility and resilience in the European Research and Innovation Area.”
Short Biography
Dr Elena Hoffert is Senior Advisor for Research Infrastructures at the French Ministry for Higher Education, Research and Space, with over 20 years of experience in academic and scientific management. She has extensive expertise in coordinating international research projects and developing research infrastructures, and has played a key role in shaping both national and European strategies in the field. Dr Hoffert has been actively involved in ESFRI as a member of the Executive Board and current Vice-Chair, and has represented France in major international bodies, including the G7, OECD, and Horizon Europe Programme Committee for Research Infrastructures.
