HRA Salon "Power & Research Funding" am 27. November

“Competition among scientists can have undesirable consequences due to prisoners’ dilemma-type constellations. Funders should exercise their power to shape the rules of science in beneficial ways, enabling scientists to contribute to science as a public good.”
Dr. Rainer Lange, Wissenschaftsrat

“The past two decades have witnessed a rapid shift from basic to project-based funding, as private funding organizations have provided more research funding than ever before, by this enabling researchers to concentrate on innovative projects that provide a benefit both for academia and society. Against this backdrop, the Volkswagen Foundation interactively defines research gaps with the respective research community and recognizes a special responsibility towards capacity building of young researchers and the leadership and supervision role of senior researchers.” Dr. Cora Schaffert-Ziegenbalg, VolkswagenStiftung

“Science depends more and more on third-party funding. Especially in my field - Digitalization of Cities - technological developments are fast and science has to adapt to the speed. There is a gap between the research culture in Germany, which is basics oriented and slow and the speed of technological innovations. Dual corses of study and direct donations from companies to universities are one way to speed up research. But how can we maintain the critical distance in this context?” Prof. Dr. Gesa Ziemer, HafenCity Universität Hamburg

“The emphasis on excellence in the research system is stifling diverse thinking and positive behaviours. As a community we need to open up the conversation about the changes needed in research culture , and how excellence should be redefined. Excellence should not just be focused on what we do but how we do it. Everyone in the research system individuals, institutions and funders need to work together to foster a positive working culture.“ Dr. Anne-Marie Coriat, Wellcome Trust