ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH

1. Michał KLEIBER MINISTER MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN SCIENCE COUNCIL ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH or how to make the most of science for societal development and economy growth ACCOUNTABILITY IN RESEARCHEIASM, BRUSSELS, 2005

2. ACCOUNTABILITY OF RESEARCH In a narrower sense, as a problem of how to best allocate research funding, assess its results and harness its implementations In a more general sense, as a prerequisite for a development of genuine science culture in the society, which should ultimately lead to wider, indisputable public support for and trust in science as a key contributor to individual and societal well being: ► integrity of research ► communicating science ► science - society ‘contract’ for sustainabledevelopment ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

3. THERE IS EVIDENCE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE CREDIBILITY PROBLEM SCIENCE FACES TODAY IS BIGGER THAN EVER BEFORE. THE PUBLIC APPEARS TO OFTEN QUESTION WHETHER PROGRESS IN SCIENCE BRINGS ABOUT ANY COHERENT INCREASE IN WELL-BEING OF THE HUMAN RACE AT ALL. ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

4. The pursuit and diffusion of knowledge enjoy a place of distinction in European tradition, and the public expects to reap considerable benefit from creative contributions of researchers. It is still generally accepted that supporting university education and different forms of research is a crucial element in advancing public good. BUT: Society will support research only as long as it feels it can trust the scientists and the institutions that employ them – accountability of research endeavor to the public is a crucial requirement in this regard. Society at large must be convinced that scientific activity is at its service. ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

5. UNFORTUNATELY: Scientists are no longer perceived exclusively as guardians of objective truth but also as defenders of their own (individual or group) interests in a media driven scientific marketplace. THEREFORE: It is more important than ever that individual researchers and their institutions constantly assess the values that guide their research • No established measures for assessing integrity in the research environment exist • Fostering responsible conduct in research must be done in a creative way, otherwise it may be ineffective • Institutional self-assessment appears to be a constructive and promising approach to improving integrity of research. ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

6. ACCOUNTABILITY means much more than ethical behaviour, of course. Since a significant percentage of research is funded with tax money, everyone using those funds has an obligation to explain to the public in understandable language how that money has been used. Scientists should by all means try to avoid the danger of being perceived as ones who advocate science for internal, sectoral benefits – this puts in danger public trust in science – which is easily lost but not easily gained. ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

7. Whether science is able to thrive in our fiercely contesting democracy depends on whether it builds an advocacy system to explain its goal, needs and methodological format. Will we be able to assure a much higher degree of connection, collaboration and accountabilityacross science, industry and society at large to exploit the enormous potential which is here at stake? The message may seem convincing but make no mistake: A bottom line here may be that science should give up an additional part of its autonomy and transfer it to non-scientists! ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

8. HOWEVER, IS SOCIETY PREPARED TO EXERCISE ITS INFLUENCE ON SCIENCE? How we should talk the public into debating the ways to: • understand merits and scope of scientific inquiry • address in a non-biased way controversial issues (GMO’s, stem cells, nuclear energy, religious orthodoxy, ...) • deal with privacy of research data • . . . . ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

9. PROBLEMS TO BE OPENLY DEBATED • science dispenses both beneficial and adverse effects • science input is often limited to a short-term horizon • there are serious negative effects of compartmentalization of disciplines, hyperspecialization and brain drain • information overload becomes at places unmanageable, promptingex cathedra pronouncements • large private companies may monopolize the information highwayswith the quality and objectivity of the data transmitted difficult to control ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

10. Public understanding of science is something different than appreciationof a research institution – a communication mistake made by manyresearchers wishing to enhance the reputation of their institutionratherthan to explain the phenomenon of public interest. Scientists themselves must be involved in communication programs– in an era of sophisticated and complex science it is only them whocan make room for a much higher degree of connection acrossscience and society Individual scientists and research institutions should be strongly encouraged to find ways to communicate all their findings – particularly important in health and environment sector ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

11. Communication programs should illustrate both processes and productsof science, and relate it to the everyday environment • Communication programs should involve multimedia and interactivity • Evidence exists that in order to gain public support trust in research institutions is more important than knowledge about research results, risk factors involved in specific applications and even awareness of new developments TRUST CAN ONLY BE WON IN THE COURSEOF CONSTANTDIALOGUEWITH THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

12. SUGGESTIONS OF A SCIENCE COMMUNICATION PRACTITIONER There is no such thing as a ‘general audience’ and, consequently,no ‘one-size-fits-all’ method of science communication – different communication programs should address the needs of different groups (education, age, economic status, familiarity with specific technologies,local community needs and interests,…) ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

13. SCIENCE ATTENTIVE AUDIENCE those who express a high level of interest in particular science issues andregularly seek relevant information, less than 10 % of the population inthedeveloped countries SCIENCE INTERESTED AUDIENCE those who claim to have some interest about science issues but have casualaccess to relevant information, perhaps some 40 % of the population RESIDUAL AUDIENCE those who are neither interested nor informed about science issues ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

14. A key ingredient in trying to overcome the current crisis is A NEW CONTRACT REDEFINING THE RELATIONS BETWEEN SCIENCE AND SOCIETY Society has to be encouraged to make an effort to better understand science Society has to work out better ways to foster and control public expenditures on research Science has to be constantly trying to evoke societal interest in it Science has to accept accountability as a key ingredient of its mission ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

15. SCIENCE IN THE DIGITAL AGE – or how not to overlook opportunities and threats? Is IST a slogan, an uncontrolled revolution or a controllable development? IST: the means rather than the goal! IST crucial for handling existing and creating new knowledge. As in other sectors of public life, the use of IST has become a crucial factor in maximizing research benefits. ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

16. PREDICTIONS • Evolution of IT will continue to be characterized by rapid exponential growth with the Net becoming truly ubiquitous and pervasive • IT will challenge traditional academic institutions by relaxing constraints of space, and time, and benefits of ‘monopoly’ • IT will change dramatically the ways we handle storage of and access to data, information and knowledge thus elevating the importance of intellectual capital relative to physical and financial capital • IT will greatly influence the methodology of scientific endeavor HOW WILL IT DEVELOPMENTS INFLUENCE THE METHODOLOGY OF SCIENTIFIC ENDEAVOR AND HOW WILL THEY REDEFINE THE MISSION AND STRUCTURE OF THE RESEARCH INSTITUTION? ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

17. FOR AT LEAST A DECADE (OR SLIGHTLY LESS) THE PACE OF CHANGE WILL BE RATHER SLOW – INACTION AND PROCRASTINATION NOW WOULD BE HIGHLY DENGEROUSIN VIEW OF CERTAINTY OF RAPID ADVANCES IN IT AND THE ‘NATURAL’ INABILITY OF THE RESEARCH INSTITUTION TO CHANGE ITSELF FAST. ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

18. ACCOUNTABILITY OF RESEARCH IN A NARROWER SENSE remarks on possible ways to improve effectiveness of research HOW TO BEST ALLOCATE FUNDING AND USE ITS FRUITS? ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

19. Priorities: freedom of research vs projects targeted at highimpact goals No research policyrecommended • Curiosity-driven research • Quality ofuniversity education-oriented research • Strategic (=frontier) research • Application- driven research Well thought-out research policy recommended (Foresight as the key instrument of R&D policy shaping) ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

20. Allocation procedures: simplifications vs decision rationale • flexibility- procedures adjustable to situation • better balance between risks and controls • removal of procedures that have no added value • reduction of bureaucratic burden (e.q. two-step proposalsubmissions whenpossible) • reduction of delaysin funding decisions • coherent and explicitly statedrights and obligations • more operational autonomy to consortia • more use of flat- rate financing • default regimes for IPR ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

21. Control procedures for reports’ evaluation • adequate selection (and remuneration) of competent reviewers • sound financial management assessment • thorough research implementation reports for (?)years after completion of the project • results dissemination and sharing best practices vsconfidentiality • negative results may be as useful as positive ones • proven failure to comply with community rules excludes from funding for (?) years ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER

22. We have entered a new era of very complex science Accountability is a notion crucial for designing appropriate ways for knowledge generation, diffusion and application that will create so much needed collaborative pan-European science sector, hopefully capable of addressing opportunities that research is nowadays unfolding. ACCOUNTABLE RESEARCH Michał KLEIBER