Radical changes are foreseen in all aspects of high-performance computing systems over the next decade. The end of CMOS scaling is bringing new and emerging technologies (quantum, neuromorphic, etc.) and heterogeneous accelerators (GPUs, FPGAs, TPUs, etc.). Meanwhile, HPC applications are being complemented by machine learning and extreme data, and are evolving to model problems more difficult than previously thought possible. In this context, we need a thriving, high-quality and relevant European community in academic HPC systems research. This session will bring together academic researchers and interested stakeholders to discuss, assess and contribute to Eurolab4HPC’s vision for academic research in high performance computing. Four expert presenters will engage with the audience in a lively and hopefully controversial interactive session.