Experts give European Research Council passing grade (but organization still on very shaky ground)
Europe's fledgling scientific funding body is on the right track but has major organizational flaws which threaten its long-term viability, according to a no-nonsense analysis by a panel of experts. The European Research Council is too bureaucratic and needs more scientists in its management team, but has nonetheless been immune from political interference, according to a report drawn up by a group of research policy experts. Earlier this year, the Commission appointed the panel, headed by former Latvian president and university professor Vaira Vike-Freiberga, to review the ERC's development.
The review panel said it was deeply concerned that the present governance structure of the ERC is complex and a "source of great frustration and ongoing low-level conflict". In her report, Vike-Freiberga stressed that the ERC has "succeeded beyond expectations" in attracting outstanding scientists to serve on its peer-review panels, which have doled out millions of euro to 600 scientists in its first two years.
The former psychology professor said there were causes for concern about the long-term sustainability of the scheme under the present operating conditions.
No comments:
Post a Comment