France has big plans to reform research, but key details remain vague

A week after French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a sweeping plan to dramatically remake the nation’s research establishment, many scientists are still grappling with exactly what the sometimes-vague blueprint will mean in practice. And although some researchers are welcoming the changes—including moves to clarify the roles of public research organizations and universities and to create a high-level science advisory council—others are worried about the broader implications. There is a “glaring lack of clarity” in key elements of the plan that government officials need to address before moving ahead, the National Trade Union of Scientific Researchers (SNCS-FSU), which represents more than 2000 mostly public sector researchers and technicians, said in a statement this week. Among other things, the group is concerned that some researchers currently employed by public research organizations could be transferred to universities, which will gain greater powers to manage joint research labs. The plan, which Macron released on 7 December and hopes to implement within 18 months, attempts to address long-standing complaints about France’s cumbersome research enterprise. It represents “a complete change in the philosophy [and] organization” of French research, Macron said. Perhaps the highest profile part of the plan is the creation of the Presidential Science Council, a 12-member group of prominent French researchers that Macro...
Source: Science of Aging Knowledge Environment - Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research