Bylaws – Scientific Committee

1. Aims

The network of academic knowledge within EUPRERA is represented by a scientific committee. This committee has two major roles: acting as a sounding board for the Board of Directors (BoD) when discussing and evaluating research topics, i. e. project proposals and partnership agreements, and managing the review and selection process for academic papers at EUPRERA congresses.

The scientific committee is made up by a head and approximately 20 reviewers.

2. Role and qualifications of the head and reviewers

The Head of the Scientific Committee is not part of the board but cooperates and aligns closely with the board. He or she might be invited as a guest to board meetings. He or she also collaborates closely with the local organiser of EUPRERA congresses.

The Head of the Scientific Committee is a EUPRERA member based in any European country, who holds a professorship (full or associate, active or emeritus) in the field. Moreover, the candidate has been involved in other activities of the association or is an active member, showing reliability and engagement in the association’s activities.

Reviewers are members of EUPRERA or researchers proposed by the congress organiser, with an academic position, a professorship or PhD/doctorate, a research experience of at least 4 years and relevant publications in the field.

3. Appointment and mandate

The BoD, after a consultation with members, appoints the Head of the Scientific Committee for a period of two years. The mandate is renewable for one term.

Reviewers are selected every year by the head of the scientific committee, both among  EUPRERA members and names proposed by the congress organiser. The final committee will be shared and approved by the BoD. The mandate is renewable.

4. Activities of the head and reviewers

The Head of the Scientific Committee may be consulted by the BoD regarding all academic questions, as mentioned above.

In his/her responsibility for the congress content, the Head of the Scientific Committee engages in developing a call for papers and a time schedule together with the congress organiser and the BoD.

Moreover, the head selects and coordinates reviewers; manages collection of abstracts and papers; sends out feedback and communication to authors; defines the final selection of papers for congress presentation, best paper awards and publication.

Reviewers review abstracts and full papers, according to instructions and deadlines provided by the head of the scientific committee.

5. Congress book committee

Starting from 2012, EUPRERA publishes a book based on each annual congress which collects approximately 20–25 papers that have been presented at the congress. The editorial committee is composed of three members: the congress organiser, the EUPRERA President, the Head of the Scientific Committee, usually listed in this order even it is not a fix rule.

The president is the process owner who has to secure the quality and the run of the work, especially when the local organizer lacks experience editing volumes.