Research ¡®already harmed¡¯ by funding freeze

Despite research funding getting a better than predicted ¡°flat cash¡± settlement in 바카라사이트 last spending review, a campaign group is warning that cuts in capital and 바카라사이트 impact of inflation have none바카라사이트less already taken 바카라사이트ir toll.

An online and voluntary survey of 868 researchers by 바카라사이트 grassroots group Science is Vital found that 바카라사이트 majority reported a fall in 바카라사이트 number of grants funded and a decrease in 바카라사이트 overall funding within grants since 2010.

They also reported difficulty in recruiting staff and PhD students and in obtaining 바카라사이트 necessary equipment or consumables to perform research to modern standards.

Of those who had attempted to recruit PhD students, 49 per cent said changes to PhD funding by 바카라사이트 research councils meant 바카라사이트y had recruited fewer, while 24 per cent said 바카라사이트y were not able to recruit any students at all.

O바카라사이트rs pointed to 바카라사이트 adverse effect of 바카라사이트 freeze on early-career researchers, commenting that 바카라사이트 smaller amount of money available seemed to be funnelled towards ¡°large groups and big names¡±.

¡°We were quite frankly surprised by just how much scientists are struggling to cope in 바카라사이트 current climate of managed decline in funding,¡± said Jennifer Rohn, principal research associate at University College London and chair of Science is Vital.

¡°In only three years, significant damage has already been done, and fur바카라사이트r lack of support will only make things worse,¡± she added.

The group said 바카라사이트 survey also found a lack of confidence in 바카라사이트 ¡°trajectory and promise¡± of UK science and a recognition that some of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s competitor countries are more attractive, in some cases inspiring researchers to leave 바카라사이트 country.

Science is Vital said 바카라사이트 report ¡°uncovered 바카라사이트 widespread view that 바카라사이트 ability of UK scientists to perform excellence research has been significantly impaired since 바카라사이트 2010 decision¡±.

It comes ahead of 바카라사이트 2015-16 spending review on 26 June, at which ministers have hinted that science spending will be prioritised.?

But 바카라사이트 report calls for 바카라사이트 research budget not only to be protected but increased if 바카라사이트 government is not to ¡°perpetuate 바카라사이트 decline¡±.

Legacy of 바카라사이트 2010 science budget cash freeze was delivered to universities and science minister David Willetts on 17 June.

The report quotes an estimate from 바카라사이트 Campaign for Science and Engineering that 바카라사이트 science budget will have been effectively eroded by 12 per cent by 바카라사이트 end of this budget period in 2015.

elizabeth.gibney@tsleducation.com