The recently set-up European Research Council (ERC) is facing a big dilemma concerning the assessment of scientific proposals from academic institutions all over Europe. The dilemma is: scientific transparency, or political correctness?
The ERC is responsible for assessing and allocating scientific funds to Europe's most promising scientific projects, but its recent reluctance to disclose the destinations of allocated funds points to a lack of transparency in its selection processes. It faces big issues, I know... there is no question that scientific merit is biased in Europe, with countries like Britain, Germany and France having the largest proportion of world-class research. But the disclosure of such fact may well lead to criticism and puts it into a position of complex political issues.
Excellent science cannot be performed when muddled in political issues. If the intent of the ERC is to select Europe's best, then be courageous and do what it was originally intended for. Lukewarmness will only compromise Europe's science.
The ERC is responsible for assessing and allocating scientific funds to Europe's most promising scientific projects, but its recent reluctance to disclose the destinations of allocated funds points to a lack of transparency in its selection processes. It faces big issues, I know... there is no question that scientific merit is biased in Europe, with countries like Britain, Germany and France having the largest proportion of world-class research. But the disclosure of such fact may well lead to criticism and puts it into a position of complex political issues.
Excellent science cannot be performed when muddled in political issues. If the intent of the ERC is to select Europe's best, then be courageous and do what it was originally intended for. Lukewarmness will only compromise Europe's science.
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