The second Science in Transition symposium: Change is possible
Thursday 30 October 2014At the second Science in Transition symposium we want to show that large-scale change of the science system is possible. We will try and profit from pilot experiences in Germany and Sweden. In the afternoon we will debate necessary changes and possible solutions in the Netherlands.
Date: Wednesday 3 December 2014
Venue: Trippenhuis, KNAW. Kloveniersburgwal 29, Amsterdam.
Time: 9.00h-17.00h with drinks afterwards
Please register at the KNAW website as the number of seats is limited
In Germany in the 2000’s the government and academia wanted to change the higher education landscape that historically did not differentiate between universities based on scientific quality. There was a shared feeling that German universities should be able to develop different profiles and that concentration of research excellence was necessary. Since 2005 the government has invested more than 4 billion euro additional funds in research in the Excellence Initiative. The money went to graduate schools, clusters of excellence and institutional strategies for the future.
In the Excellence Initiative ‘excellence’ is not earned easy, nor is the label kept forever. Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Hans-Jochen Schiewer, rector of Freiburg University will explain this. His university was awarded the excellence label in the first round, but this was not continued in the second phase. [UNFORTUNATELY, PROF SCHIEWER HAD TO CANCEL HIS VISIT]
How the initiative worked out for biomedical research, will be explained by Univ.-Prof. dr. med. dr. phil. Robert Nitsch from University Medical Center of Mainz University. He headed the Cluster of Excellence “NeuroCure” in Berlin.
The philosophy behind the Excellence Initiative is that competition for funds and selecting for excellence will bring about the best science. But what type of science is that? And how does society benefit? Prof. Dr. Richard Münch, from Bamberg University will present a critical analysis of the Excellence Initiative.
This will be followed by a short debate about the impact of the Excellence Initiative and possible lessons for the Netherlands. Science in Transition initiator prof. dr. Frank Huisman from Utrecht University and Maastricht University will introduce the speakers and host the debate.
Next, we move on to Sweden. After decades of increasing scientific output and increasing student numbers there now is the realization that the focus on excellent research has led to structural undervaluing of teaching and societal impact. This message was brought by Sylvia Schwaag Serger, adjunct professor in science policy studies at Lund University and Executive Director International Strategy at VINNOVA (pdf). She makes recommendations for improving talent management, funding and teaching quality. Introduction and moderation by Rinze Benedictus from UMC Utrecht and Science in Transition.
** After the lunch break the symposium continues in Dutch.**
Science in Transition co-founder prof. dr. Frank Miedema from UMC Utrecht will introduce the speakers. A prerequisite for change is an idea of the future. Sociologist Willem Schinkel from Erasmus University Rotterdam will explore ideas about the ‘utopian university’. Feeling a disconnect between the academic reward system and societal impact, malaria expert Bart Knols left academia and started his own company. He shows that we can make a change in the fight against malaria.
A group of Utrecht students will present the Facebook page ‘Remodelling Science’ where they collect ideas for change from young scientists. For example, medical students combined in the initiative ‘Universities Allied for Essential Medicines’ believe that medical innovations should faster find application in developing countries where they often are needed most.
During the second part of the afternoon the agenda for change in the Netherlands will be debated (see below). If we want to adapt science to better address societal challenges, what changes are needed? The symposium will end with closing remarks by prof. dr. Wijnand Mijnhardt, from the Descartes Centre, Utrecht University, and Science in Transition.
Program
8:30 Reception with coffee and tea
9:00 Welcome and introduction by Frank Huisman (Science in Transition)
9:15 Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Dr. phil. Robert Nitsch (UMC of Mainz University)
10:15 Coffee break
10:45 Prof. Dr. Richard Münch (Bamberg University)
11:15 Debate with Robert Nitsch and Richard Münch, led by Frank Huisman
12:00 Sylvia Schwaag Serger (Lund University and Vinnova, Sweden)
12:30 Discussion with Sylvia Schwaag Serger, moderated by Rinze Benedictus
** After the lunch break the symposium continues in Dutch.**
12:45 Lunch break
13:30 Willem Schinkel (Erasmus University, Rotterdam)
13:45 Bart Knols (In2Care)
14:15 Students from UAEM & Facebookgroup ‘Remodelling Science’
14:45 Tea break
15:15 Debate about an agenda for change (see below).
16:45 Closing remarks by Wijnand Mijnhardt (Science in Transition)
17:00 Drinks
Participants:
Hans Clevers (President of the KNAW)
André Knottnerus (Chairman of the WRR)
Karl Dittrich (Chairman of the VSNU)
Martin Paul (President of Maastricht University)
Frank Miedema (Dean of UMC Utrecht and co-founder of Science in Transition)
Moderator: Willem Schinkel (professor of social theory at Erasmus University Rotterdam)
Marijtje Jongsma (from scientists union VAWO) will participate in the debate with a statement about young researcher’s perspectives.
Paul Wouters (CWTS) will participate in the debate with a statement on alternative measures for scientific quality.
Central theme: on 26 November minister Bussemaker of OCW will release her ‘Visie Wetenschap‘ (‘Science perspective’). What changes are needed in the Dutch system? And how will these be achieved? The participants will discuss these questions.
« back to the overview