Job security is essential for fostering innovation and excellence

If we do not continue to invest in the very thing that’s making us successful – and that is education – then it’s a zero-sum game. It’s like starving the goose that lays the golden egg”

Text: Đorđe Petrović – CPN

At the 11th World Science Forum (WSF2024), held in Budapest from November 20 to 23rd 2024 participants from across the globe gathered to discuss pressing global challenges and science policies. Alongside the main panels and roundtables, the Forum offered a dynamic array of side events, one of the most compelling of which was “How to Make Academic Careers Attractive and Sustainable”.

Organised on November 20 in the Ceremonial Hall of Pesti Vigadó, this side event was a collaborative effort by European Partners – EURODOC, the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA), and the Young Academy of Europe (YAE) along with the International Consortium of Research Staff Associations (ICORSA). The discussion shed light on the hurdles faced by early and mid-career researchers, such as precarious contracts, funding shortages, and intense competition, while exploring strategies for fostering sustainable academic and researcher careers. In this session, ICORSA referred to SECURE, an EU-funded project that ICORSA is currently leading, which is researching this very topic. 

Dr Rosarii Griffin, Secretary and Director of ICORSA and a Researcher at University College Cork, Ireland, moderated the session. An expert in international and comparative education, Dr Griffin is a passionate advocate for improving working conditions in academia, with a strong focus on global sustainable development, gender equality, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies. In the iconic setting of Pesti Vigadó, we spoke with Dr Griffin about the pressing challenges faced by young researchers and explored strategies to make academic careers more appealing and sustainable. 

Photo: MTA

Đorđe: What is the biggest challenge that early career researchers in Europe face today?

Dr Griffin: The biggest challenge is undoubtedly research precarity. Young researchers are often stuck in a cycle of short-term contracts while striving to secure a full-time tenured position. This lack of stability makes it difficult for them to plan their futures—they can’t get a home loan, settle down, or establish long-term roots.

Initially, of course, they may not want to. They might want a level of mobility to go from place to place and gain various experiences, which is great. But there’s a problem even with that – they are not gathering their pension. Currently, there is no unifying pension scheme that they can use. 

To deal with this problem, I am involved with RESAVER, an initiative that aims to provide researchers with a “one-stop shop” for their pensions. However, it still requires stronger buy-in from the European Union to ensure widespread adoption. Without such support, many researchers lose valuable early years for building their pensions, which significantly impacts their financial security later in life. If they only start building their pensions in their 30s or 40s, they’ll likely face poor retirement conditions.

Given that research drives our knowledge economies, it’s crucial to ensure that researchers — who play such a vital role in society — don’t end up in poverty. So, I’d say the greatest challenges are tenure insecurity, research precarity, and the difficulty of securing grants.

Đorđe: Another significant source of pressure for young researchers is the “publish or perish” culture, which creates an intense demand to frequently publish research to secure funding, advance their careers, and gain recognition – often at the cost of research quality and personal well-being.

Dr Griffin: The “publish or perish” culture leaves little room for blue skies research – purely theoretical work that may not have immediate applications in the current climate. Additionally, there’s an economic imperative that research must yield tangible, positive results. However, as Austrian philosopher Karl Popper recognised, failure is just as valuable in research as success; understanding what doesn’t work is just as crucial as discovering what does.

Đorđe: Is there a chance for a more multidimensional way of assessing researchers’ work?

Dr Griffin: Yes, absolutely – a broader and more comprehensive approach. For instance, in the context of countries, we often look at metrics like the average wage or GDP. However, there’s also the Human Development Index that provides a more holistic view of a country’s progress by including factors like education, social welfare, and overall quality of life.

Applying a similar model to academia [such as adopting the San Francisco DORA principles], we could assess researchers not only based on their publications but also their broader contribution. This could include their impact on society, engagement in science journalism, science diplomacy, science for peace, science communication, and other activities that advance their field and profession. All these efforts should be recognized and valued in a multidimensional framework.

Đorđe: What more can we, as a society, do to make researchers’ careers more attractive, sustainable, and secure, and to encourage young, talented, and educated individuals to stay in academia rather than move to business or industry?

Dr Griffin: There’s a double-edged sword here. First, it’s important to acknowledge that there is simply no space for every PhD graduate in academia. This is a hard reality, and PhD students should be made aware of it early on – there’s no guaranteed pathway into an academic career.

However, for those who are determined to stay in academia, excel at research, and perhaps want to teach, there should be a clear, structured researcher career framework. The EU is currently working on developing such a framework, but it needs to be adopted widely across countries to provide researchers with sustainable livelihoods and clear career progression paths. 

Women, in particular, face disproportionate disadvantages in academia, often due to interruptions in their careers for family-related reasons. While there are some mechanisms exist to address this, the lack of a comprehensive career framework exacerbates these challenges. 

Additionally, many experienced researchers are forced out of academia because of systemic limitations, such as funding caps or a lack of opportunities for advancement. This “forced progression” often pushes them sideways or entirely out of the system, wasting valuable expertise. 

Creating a robust framework that ensures inclusivity, supports career progression, and values diverse contributions is essential for making academic careers more sustainable and attractive. 

Photo: MTA

Đorđe: You mentioned that the EU is developing an academic career framework, but the SECURE project, in which your organisation is involved, is also working on one. Can you tell us more about it?

Dr Griffin: The SECURE project is closely aligned with the European Union’s career framework. It has developed a comprehensive set of recommendations and is piloting them in various research-performing organizations (RPOs) and other research institutions. This trial phase aims to evaluate how the framework can be effectively implemented.

However, as highlighted during the session, the challenge lies in the fact that the framework is currently only a policy recommendation and lacks enforcement mechanisms – it effectively has no “teeth.” Essentially, it’s up to individual institutions to decide whether to adopt it or not. For such frameworks and recommendations to be impactful, they also need to have binding authority. 

Đorđe: But it’s a good start?

Dr Griffin: Oh, it’s definitely a good start, without a doubt. I want to remain positive. The SECURE project will likely highlight some inconsistencies or weaknesses in the EU’s researchers’ career framework and maybe propose ways to address those gaps, making it more robust.

Initially, the SECURE project was developing its own framework. However, when the EU introduced theirs, we had to adapt our model to align with it and explore how we could collaborate to create a stronger, more effective framework. Whether that approach works or not remains to be seen.

Our preliminary results will be released in January or February 2025, with the final report expected by the end of the academic year—likely in May or June. That will provide a clearer picture of how successful this initiative has been.

Đorđe: Do you think the emphasis on excellence creates too much pressure, especially for young researchers who lack security? We expect them to take risks, be innovative, and excel. Isn’t that unrealistic?

Dr Griffin: Absolutely, without a doubt. How can researchers focus on their work when they’re constantly worried about their next project, their next contract, or whether they’ll need to relocate? This level of uncertainty isn’t conducive to producing high-quality research—it adds unnecessary stress.

If there were a clear tenure track or a more secure career path, it would give researchers the stability they need to dedicate themselves fully to their work. Job security is essential for fostering innovation and excellence.

Đorđe: Education systems in many countries are facing significant challenges. As an expert in international and comparative education, what steps do you think we should take to improve education?

Dr Griffin: The most important step is for governments to continue investing heavily in education. Ultimately, we need to develop critical thinkers. While education systems differ greatly due to cultural, historical, geographical, economic, and political factors, one thing we can control is the quality of teaching. Ensuring that teachers are well-educated, well-paid, and supported through continuous professional development is essential.

Investment should also extend to schools and students. A robust education system equips children with critical and analytical skills, which are transferable to any field. At the higher education level, underfunding is a serious issue in many countries, including my own, Ireland. 

We need to understand that economic progress is driven by research and innovation. And by trust in science, too. If we do not continue to invest in the very thing that’s making us successful – and that is education – then it’s a zero-sum game. It’s like starving the goose that lays the golden egg. Studies show that investments in education yield significant economic returns, often much higher than the initial outlay. 

Lastly, education must address children’s emotional welfare, incorporating measures to combat bullying, manage social media challenges, and foster well-being. With a strong foundation of critical thinking and support, the digital aspects of education will evolve naturally alongside these core values. That is particularly important with the advent of, and rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. 

About the SECURE project

“The SECURE project is of great importance for early-career researchers as it directly addresses one of their most significant challenges—career insecurity. Through the Research Career Framework (RCF), SECURE provides concrete tools and recommendations to improve researchers’ working conditions. This framework is designed to assist research institutions and funding organizations in developing sustainable practices, enhancing researcher mobility, and improving their intersectoral skills.

The project’s greatest contribution lies in its dual approach: addressing the current challenges faced by early-career researchers while laying the groundwork for sustainable and attractive research careers in the future. In this way, SECURE ensures that European researchers have the support they need to reach their full potential”.

Dr. Erna Karalija, professor at the University of Sarajevo and project manager at the International Consortium of Research Staff Associations (ICORSA).