Biography
Director for ERA & Innovation, DG Research and Innovation
Since April 2021, Ms Anna Panagopoulou has been Director of ‘ERA & Innovation’ at the Research and Innovation Directorate General of the European Commission. The directorate is responsible for research and innovation policy, reinforces at crosscutting level the engagement with citizens & society, with academic and research organisations and with research and industrial infrastructures. The directorate is also responsible to promote dialogue and collaboration with Member States, research and innovation actors on research and innovation policy, investments and reforms.
Between 2016 and 2021, Ms Panagopoulou had been Director of directorate 'Common Implementation Centre' responsible for the implementation strategy for European Union R&I programmes. Previously, she was Head of Department for Programme Support and Resources at CINEA in 2014. Ms Panagopoulou started her career in the European Commission in 1997 being responsible for files in the area of EU research and innovation, transport and energy policy. Beforehand she worked for 6 years in the private sector. She holds a degree in electrical engineering.