The Austrian Science Fund FWF has worked to promote free and open access to scholarly knowledge for the last 15 years. Its funding policies have helped to bring about a long overdue cultural shift in publishing practice. Now “Plan S” is being launched, a new initiative to finally ring in an era of Open Science. Continue reading “The end of the paywall in science”
Austria is preparing its roadmap for the next ten years on the way to becoming a leading country in European research. In an interview with scilog, FWF President Klement Tockner explains why the time is ripe for really bold steps. Continue reading ““We have such incredible potential””
Science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar is sceptical about an approach to science driven only by benefits and added value. In light of worrying social developments, the expert feels we need more critical debates on scientific issues and a new self-awareness in the world of science. Continue reading “Science bears responsibility”
Aleida Assmann’s work focuses on the cultures of memory and of forgetting. In an interview on the occasion of the FWF’s 50th anniversary, the cultural studies scholar explains why we need memory, why the Internet undermines credibility, and why we should remember humane virtues. Continue reading “Memory as an agent of social cohesion”
The sociologist Kristina Stoeckl is observing a worldwide revival of moral conservative tendencies. Using the example of the Russian Orthodox Church, she explains how the connected conflicts about values might turn into an acid test for liberal societies. Continue reading ““Conflicts over values polarise enormously””
Wherever things are likely to get emotional, as in political discussions, Laurenz Ennser-Jedenastik is ready to help out with facts and figures. This political scientist researches and blogs about voting behaviour, parties and elites. In an interview with scilog he explains why he is sceptical about more direct democracy, why there is no such thing […] Continue reading ““People want to have a greater say””
We have to learn how to cope with ignorance and abandon a single-minded obsession with certainty, says the sociologist and science studies researcher Matthias Groß. In this interview with scilog, Groß talks about how to deal with gaps in knowledge, mutual trust and excessive expectations. Continue reading ““The output of science is uncertain””
So-called altmetrics track the media resonance of scientific output. The Austrian Science Fund FWF is now testing the information value and possible applications of this alternative tracking tool. – An experiment and an explanation. Continue reading “Alternative science metrics”
Anyone who receives a grant from the European Research Council (ERC) can count themselves among the vanguard of European research. – One of them is the health psychologist Jens Blechert, who investigates the connections between eating and emotions. He shares with scilog what meaning the ERC grant and basic research have for him. Continue reading “Ten years of ERC: an exemplary boon for researchers”
Projects financed by third-party funds often play an essential role in the early stages of a research career. By helping young researchers to steer the difficult course between career opportunities and job insecurity, funding institutions can guide their professional trajectory. Continue reading “Postdoc – and now what?”