Talk:European Low Gravity Research Association/Temp

The European Low Gravity Research Association (ELGRA) is a non-profit international society devoted to the promotion of scientific research under various gravity conditions in Europe. The organization, established in 1979, provides a networking platform for all scientists interested in life and physical sciences and technology in space or on ground. ELGRA aims at representing and strengthening the scientific community of gravity-related research and helping young scientists and engineers get involved in low- and hyper-gravity research through educational programs.

History
The formation of an association of European scientists interested or involved in research and technology in low gravity environments was conceived in december 1978, by A. Lebeau, ESA's Deputy Director General and Director of Planning and Future Programmes, Dr. H.S. Wolff, Chairman of the Life Sciences Working Group and H. Weiss, then Chairman of the Materials Science Working Group. It was further discussed in Spring 1979 at the "Materials Science in Space" symposium held in Grenoble during a meeting held by scientists representing both Life and Materials sciences. The name "European Low Gravity Research Association" (ELGRA) was proposed there. Due to convenient aspects of the German law, it was decided to proceed with the formation of ELGRA and register it in Munich. The constitution of ELGRA was signed on June 18, 1979 in Harrow, UK. Pr Herbert Weiss, one of the founders, became the first president of ELGRA at the first General Assembly held on September 9, 1979 in Munich during the 30th  IAF Congress), and ELGRA was registered on November 22, 1979 in Munich.

Symposium
ELGRA organizes scientific symposia and courses, mainly under the form of a Biennial Symposium and General Assembly

Previous symposia and meetings:


 * 2011 Antwerp, Belgium: ELGRA Biennial Symposium and General Assembly, "Gravity: from µ to x !", 6-9 September, 2011.
 * 2010 Triest, Italy: "Life in Space for Life on Earth" combined meeting with the the International Society for Gravitational Physiology (ISGP), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Low Gravity Research Organization (ELGRA).
 * 2009 Bonn, Germany: ELGRA Symposium and General Assembly, "In the Footsteps of Columbus", 1-4 Sept. 2009.
 * 2008 Angers, France: "Life in Space for Life on Earth" combined meeting with the American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology (ASGSB), the International Society for Gravitational Physiology (ISGP), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Low Gravity Research Organization (ELGRA).
 * 2007 Florence, Italy: Biennial Symposium and General Assembly, Sept. 4-7.
 * 2006 Toledo, Spain: "Science on the European Soyuz Missions to the International Space Station (2001-2005).
 * 2005 Santorini, Greece: ELGRA Biennial Symposium and General Assembly, 21-23 September, 2005
 * 2003 München, Germany: ELGRA Biennial Symposium and General Assembly, April 2-4, 2003
 * 2001 Banyuls sur mer / France : 25-28 September 2001 (ELGRA News Vol.22, Sept. 2001)
 * 1999 Roma / Italy : 28 February - 3 March 1999 (ELGRA News Vol 21, Febr. 1999)
 * 1997 Paris / France: March 16 - 20, 1997
 * 1994 Madrid / Spain: December 11 - 14, 1994
 * 1993 Genova / Italy: April 5 - 7, 1993
 * 1992 München / Germany: April 2 - 3, 1992
 * 1991 Köln / Germany: April 16 - 18, 1991
 * 1990 Utrecht / Netherlands: April 9 - 11, 1990
 * 1989 Toulouse / France: March 29 - 31, 1989
 * 1987 Zürich / Switzerland: March 1 - 3, 1987
 * 1984 Noordwijk (ESTEC) / Netherlands: January 11 - 13, 1984
 * 1982 Paris / France: October 4 - 5, 1982
 * 1981 Anacapri / Italy: September 14 - 15, 1981
 * 1980 Bad Alpbach / Austria: August 14 - 15, 1980

Membership
Membership is open to individuals as well as corporate bodies, i.e. scientific institutions or companies, engaged in science under low gravity conditions.

ELGRA offers three different types of membership:


 * Student membership : Open to any registered student expressing an interest in the field.
 * Regular membership : Open to individuals or publicly-funded scientific institutions
 * Supporting membership : Open to individuals, institutions and companies

Management Committee
The ELGRA Management Committee is elected every two years by ELGRA memebrs during the Biennial Symposium and General Assembly. It is composed of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and three members. A special advisor to the Management Committee has been commissioned for educational matters.

Current Management Committee
The current ELGRA Management Committee (2011-2013) is:

Former ELGRA Presidents

 * Jack van Loon (2007-2011)
 * Daniel Beysens (2003-2007)
 * Marianne Cogoli-Greuter (1999-2003)

Educational activities

 * ELGRA is Committed with students and young scientists involved and interested in gravity-related research and technology through a range of actions:
 * provide financial support to attend meetings and courses
 * organize a student contest and student session in ELGRA meetings
 * counsel and support space related student organizations such as LEEM
 * support the Education Office of the European Space Agency in the promotion, selection and mentoring of the following educational programmes:
 * Fly YourThesis!
 * Drop YourThesis!
 * Spin YourThesis!