The name of the magazine is research*eu and as the name implies it is the official research magazine of the European Union. However, unlike what you may think the magazine is far from a boring technocratic description of European research projects. It is true that it focuses on large research projects funded by the European Commission, but the magazine is independent and has a dedicated staff of professional journalists. Besides covering European research projects, it also covers events and small research notices through the European Union. It, furthermore, sometimes covers special topics from a global perspective. The latest issue, for instance, has an in depth coverage of climate change, but also covers topics such as the 2007 Polar Year, nanotechnology and a scientist portrait.

The magazine furthermore has a nice layout and an easy going language which makes even complicated topics understandable and interesting for scientists, science journalist, politicians and the interested public. The magazine is available both in an online and a printed version, and besides English it has a French, German and Spanish version.

The best thing about the magazine, however, is that it is absolutely free. Go to http://ec.europa.eu/research/research-eu and order your free subscription.