High School Diploma costing 800 euros for a grade of 8+ sparks concern among researchers
In France, steep reductions to education and research budgets have sparked discontent within the scientific community, with a former researcher describing the situation as demeaning and detrimental to the nation's science sector.
Speaking on BFM Business, Elise Bordet, a researcher turned entrepreneur, expressed disappointment with the current system, highlighting the precarity faced by French researchers and the outdated nature of resources. Her remarks came just weeks after President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen courted American researchers at the Choose Europe for Science summit.
"It's humiliating for people who have sacrificed their lives to keep a country at a certain level of science," Bordet stated. By 2025, education and research budget cuts will amount to 493.3 million euros. This cut leads to a 10% decrease in new PhD students since 2011, Bordet noted, adding that the state of French research is drying up.
According to a young researcher's account, pursuing a research career entails a demanding journey equivalent to a bachelor's degree plus eight years of education. This rigorous path, however, often results in minimal chances of securing a stable position and unremarkable remuneration. For instance, after years of post-doctoral research, a researcher may apply for a position where one position is available for 250 applicants, salary capped at 1,800 euros gross.
Political calls to action have multiplied, urging a rethink of France's outdated research methods. Bordet explained that the strategies employed in the US since the 1980s, aimed at creating efficiencies in their economy, are no longer effective in the current context.
With limited funding and international competition intensifying, France's scientific community and research institutions are striving to maintain competitiveness and foster innovation. The situation reflects a delicate balance between domestic investment and recruitment efforts to attract talent amid budgetary and political constraints.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, the precarious state of French research could potentially impact the development of new scientific labels and innovative treatments, as decreased funding and resources hinder the progress of researchers.
- Within education-and-self development, the current system outlined by Elise Bordet underscores the demanding and underappreciated journey of pursuing a research career, akin to a bachelor's degree Plus eight years of education, often yielding minimal prospects for stability and remuneration.
