European scientists tell us of their troubles, their expectations and hopes for the future.

Viewpoint: Science & Europe

YOUR MAIN DIFFICULTY  AS A YOUNG SCIENTIST?

The problem for young people like me  is above all funding and money,

at the level of funds  available for this field.

When there’s no backing or grants,  it's harder to leave the country,

especially you come  from a poorer country, like mine.

It’s very important that we get funding  to help teachers in classrooms,

provide computers  for teachers and students.

Everyday problems...  I guess one is time.

We don't have enough time  to do what we want to.

We have to spend a lot of time  on administrative things and teaching

and other things, related to science,  but not to our own research topic.

Teasing the funding out  of the national sources

and for nations to jointly foster  research infrastructures.

Environmental research especially  needs attention at this point.

to give Belgian researchers a better idea  of the research done in Europe

because we are not really  in touch with that part of research.

The European Research Council has to  go on in the 8th Framework Programme.

It needs more money. ERC funding,  its starting grants and advanced grants,

it really has an impact,  it gets worldwide attention.

I’d like to see more  interdisciplinary research

and exchange programmes,  rotations for example, in countries abroad,

sort of an Erasmus programme  for post-graduates.

I expect support for scientific research  but also for scientific training

through the creation of opportunities  for teachers and students

As a scientist I think it’s important  that we encourage children and students

to get involved  and to keep asking 'why'.

A really good way to do that  would be through social media,

At European level it would be interesting  to connect all these universities.

European universities conducting  research together with industries

should be better connected through  cultural and student exchanges.

If Europe had a stronger voice  in research,

and more room for  long term perspectives.