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Science Policy

The Research Group

The research group Science Policy focuses on surveys, proposals and events on different aspects within the context of science and politics.

This task has an academic as well as a scientific-political dimension: Not only does it demand a verdict on the efficiency of funding regarding the set goals and the non-intentional consequences of the measures, as far as they can be predicted, it also demands the weighing of contradictory goals as well as a verdict on the reasonableness and the desirability of the goals themselves. These questions have to be asked in view of the currently politically feasible possibilities as well as with a view to the long-term perspectives of the science system's development.

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Since its very beginning, science policy has been a focal point of Die Junge Akademie. Again and again, members publish position papers and statements on topics of university and research policy, which are often widely discussed. They also organise public debates and send out invitations for expert hearings.

Moreover, Die Junge Akademie gets involved in European research policy. For instance, together with other European Young Academies, it warned the European heads of governments of cutting the budget of the European Research Council (ERC).

Whether it is junior professors or the reform of the Framework Act for Higher Education, questions of gender equality in academia, sense and nonsense of research ratings or the intertwining of careers in academic relationships: With its surveys and position papers on science policy, Die Junge Akademie has made itself heard.

Occasionally, Die Junge Akademie has been labelled the voice of young academics by the press. This description is not strictly true, since members do not take on representational functions. But it does emphasise the significance and responsibility Die Junge Akademie has concerning questions of university and research policy.

2022: External Funding Metrics

Academic research is becoming increasingly reliant on external funding. The increasing pressure being felt by academics to acquire their own funds leads to tougher competition, which reduces the success rate further and in turn increases the pressure to write more applications at an even higher standard. This vicious cycle eats up even more working hours as more and more time is being spent on applications for external funding. As the tough competition reduces the chance of success, it is more likely that the time spent on these applications ends up being wasted. To the academic community and wider society, this wasteful use of academics’ time may appear to be somewhat absurd. And yet individual academics do not have much choice but to engage in these ineffective scrambles for external funding.

 

Despite the best efforts of the applicants and the application reviewers, the current funding system does not constitute a reliable way of reviewing the quality of research applications for the most part. Within the framework of this project investigating external funding metrics, the authors looked into the extent to which the costs of funding schemes outweigh the benefits for the individuals involved and society as a whole.

The scientists involved in the project, Eva Buddeberg, Martin Dresler, Ulrike Endesfelder, Jan Haaker, Christian Hof, Robert Kretschmer, Dirk Pflüger and Fabian Schmidt, set out their suggestions for improving this situation. An abridged version of the results was published in Nature Human Behaviour in January 2022. This included the following recommendations: 

  • Explicitly weigh up the costs against the benefits before a call for tenders is published (or an application is submitted)
  • Improve transparency to enable these kinds of calculations
  • Introduce alternative strategies for allocating funds

Read article

The research group is currently working on a more detailed write-up.

2018: "Replacing professorial chairs with departments"

Following last year's publication of the opinion piece "Departments statt Lehrstühle", the research group Science Policy organised a symposium to expand on the discussion of the opportunitites and challenges which the introduction of the departmental system would pose to the German Higher Education system.

2017: "Replacing professorial chairs with departments"

Contribution to public debate
October 2017

REPLACING PROFESSORIAL CHAIRS WITH DEPARTMENTS: A MODERN HR STRUCTURE FOR A SUSTAINABLE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

 

Is the personnel structure of German universities up-to-date? Answers to this questions are given by five members of Die Junge Akademie with this new proposal.

The authors are Jule Specht, Christian Hof, Julia Tjus, Wolfram Pernice and Ulrike Endesfelder.

Contribution to public debate (German, pdf)
Contribution to public debate (English, pdf)

2016: "Federal Professorship"

Contribution to public debate
May 2016

Proposal for a Federal Professorship: Prospects for an Academic Career

 

Excellent scholarship requires sharp minds and long-term opportunities. However, the German academic system currently lacks long-term support tailored to individual needs. Members of Die Junge Akademie seek to counter this lack and have recently published their own contribution to the public debate. In this contribution, they present a proposal for the establishment of a Federal Professorship. Supported through long-term federal funding, this position would provide successful young academics with a permanent contract and enable them to teach and conduct independent research at a university of their choice.

The authors of the contribution to the public debate Jule Specht, Ulrike Endesfelder, Tobias J. Erb, Christian Hof und Wolfram Pernice were supported in their work by 31 active members and alumni of Die Junge Akademie.

Contribution to public debate (German, pdf)

2015: „Peer Review“

Peer Review is a science simulation game for 4 to 6 Players by Cornelis Menke. Its goals are to educate junior scientists and encourage self-reflection in established scientists, as well as to give a broader interested public some insight into the mechanics of the scientific system.

project page

2015: SURVEY ON THE JUNIOR PROFESSORSHIP

Survey
October 2015

Appointment practice for junior professorships in Germany 2005-2013

 

A new survey undertaken by Die Junge Akademie shows grave differences in the organisation of junior professorships. The results reveal that there remain substantial disparities in the standards of implementation and appointment of new junior professors.

The survey was conducted by Moritz Schularick, Jule Specht and Sibylle Baumbach who were supported by 37 other active and past members of Die Junge Akademie. 

Survey (German, pdf)
Press release on the survey

2013: POSITION PAPER "AFTER THE EXCELLENCE INITIATIVE"

Position paper
November 2013

After the excellence initiative: Personnel Structure as the Key to Better Performing Universities

 

In a position paper on the personnel structure of German universities, the Research Group Science Policy of Die Junge Akademie puts forward new proposals in the debate on the future of the academic system after the excellence initiative. Thus, 30 members and alumni of Die Junge Akademie call for the gradual replacement of the traditional Lehrstuhl system and a corresponding rise in the number of professorships as the key to better performing universities.

Position paper (German, pdf)

 

Publication archive

Whether it is junior professors or the reform of the Framework Act for Higher Education, questions of gender equality in academia, sense and nonsense of research ratings or the intertwining of careers in academic relationships: With its surveys and position papers on science policy, Die Junge Akademie has made itself heard within the academic community.

Occasionally, Die Junge Akademie has been labelled the voice of young academics by the press. This description is not strictly true, since members do not take on representational functions. But it does emphasise the significance and responsibility Die Junge Akademie has concerning questions of university and research policy.