Research Funding Roundup
Today I thought I’d highlight a couple of short bits that may be of interest:
- Carol Goar at The Toronto Star describes the “Science Dinner of the Year” hosted by the Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science. While scientists were effusive in discussing their research, she felt they were reluctant to address “ the federal Conservatives, Prime Minister Stephen Harper or his hapless science minister”. She attributes this to a new uncertainty and unease in the scientific community about the state of research funding. The current situation is summarized, and Goar points out that it isn’t simply an issue of money, but rather that the Conservative government doesn’t seem to value science and research as much as its predecessors. Goar writes:
Harper bewilders scientists. He doesn’t seem to grasp that curiosity-driven research can revolutionize the economy, create forward-looking jobs and advance the frontiers of medicine.
His aides are wary of scientists, who care more about facts than political directives.
His science minister, a chiropractor, points to his university courses in kinesiology and anatomy and his high-school experiments with automotive engines as proof of his fitness for the portfolio…
But when scientists hear British Prime Minister Gordon Brown say “the downturn is no time to slow down our investment science, but to build more vigorously for the future,” and American President Barack Obama say “science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation,” they long for visionary leadership.
Seems to me that, instead of turning frosty when a sympathetic columnist for the largest-circulation newspaper in the country asks about research funding policy, scientists should seize the opportunity to describe exactly why their research and that of their colleagues represents a good investment. Especially so when they’re participating in public events like this dinner.
- DontLeaveCanadaBehind highlights two Canadian researchers and their experiences with the new NSERC funding situation. France at UQAR (Rimouski) describes her frustration at not getting funded by NSERC and worries about her graduate students. Nancy at UofT has her funding request cut in half, and urges fellow scientists not to “hide in your office feeling that you’ve done something wrong”.
Both researchers show remarkable courage in sharing their stories. Too many researchers suffer the personal doubts and despair at not getting funded in isolation. Especially during the current period of unease and change at Canada’s research funding agencies, researchers can benefit from sharing their stories with the community. And Nancy supports the idea of researchers becoming more fully engaged in funding policy:
We won’t know unless we share our stories. And NSERC won’t know unless it hears from us. Don’t hide in your office feeling that you’ve done something wrong. If there is any doubt in your mind about the adequacy of the review process and the outcome for your Discovery Grant, submit an appeal. And share your story.
Nancy also suggests participating in the discussions about science funding at DLCB, which seems like a grand idea.
- The National Post reports that the inconsistency of providing infrastructure funding without operating funds has ensnared a prominent Arctic research station. The Churchill Northern Studies Centre has been awarded $11-million in infrastructure funding, but lost the $80,ooo annual NSERC operating grant, which it used to help pay technical staff and day-to-day operations. ”It’s a little ironic,” says Michael Goodyear, executive director of the centre. “It didn’t pass peer review”, said a spokeswoman for NSERC.
