In the Interview & Opinion column, renowned scientists and researchers talk about developments and perspectives in the world of science. They reflect on regional and European science policy as well as the support of talents and the importance of innovation in a highly competitive international environment.
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?”
More high risk research, a quality offensive and new alliances are planned to give an additional boost to Austria as a leading research location. In an interview with scilog, the new president of the Austrian Science Fund FWF, Klement Tockner, explains why we need to confront competition for the best minds. Continue reading ““We need to confront competition””
The Center for Open Science in Virginia, USA, aims to nudge incentives in scholarly communication toward openness of the research lifecycle. In the interview with scilog its director, Brian Nosek, explains why transparency and sharing data will help researchers succeed. Continue reading “On a mission”
Caroline Edwards is a Founder and Director of the Open Library of Humanities (OLH). In the interview with scilog the literary scholar explains how the platform wants to change academic publishing in the humanities and why it is crucial to get the community on board. Continue reading “The ‘gold route’ to Open Science”
According to Hans Sünkel, communication is a central task of science. In his interview with scilog, the newly elected chairman of the FWF’s Supervisory Board talks about the demands placed on its new Executive Board, about the courage to take risks and about pioneering research in Austria. Continue reading “„There is a need for more awareness“”