Senior management decisions concern key strategic areas of the Juncker Commission's work, ranging from climate action, research, education, youth and culture via social affairs and employment to the Commission's Secretariat-General and the President's Cabinet. New appointments will significantly boost the number of women in the position of Directors-General and Deputy Directors-General from just 11% in November 2014 to 36% now. This is the result of President Juncker's commitment to reach a target of 40% by 31 October 2019.

Concerning DG Research and Innovation, Jean-Enric Paquet will be the new Director General, supported by Signe Ratso who will act as Deputy Director General. Mr Paquet has previously served as Deputy Head of Cabinet of former Commissioner for Research, Philippe Busquin. Mr Ratso, on the other hand, previously worked in DG trade, where he focused on market access and industry. 

These new appointments arrive in a pivotal moment for education and research in Europe. Some key decisions will be taken in the upcoming months, which will shape the future of European education: in May, the European Commission will release its proposals on the Multiannual Financial Framework post 2020 and the on the future Erasmus+ (among others).

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