Is the French research system doomed ?

• Olivier POSTEL-VINAY
  Author, Le Grand Gâchis, Splendeur et misère de la Science française ; former managing editor La Recherche
  

Summary

If one were to believe the indicators which compare research results in terms of citations in scientific publications or even in the number of patents registered, the situation of French research is alarming. This is Olivier Postel-Vinay's conclusion, having carried out numerous investigations both in France and abroad. However, are the indicators which he uses, which come from a research culture different to ours, really adapted to measure French performances ? Does their use as a vehicle for change not run the risk of destroying our research system rather than making it more competitive ? One of the surprises of this discussion is the revelation that paradoxically the analysis of systems and research policy is one of the least represented fields of expertise of the Ministry of Research…

Summary translated from French by Rachel MARLIN.

• The entire article was written by Élisabeth BOURGUINAT.

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• download it for free in French (PDF help) or contact ecopar@paris.ensmp.fr (Reference RT180603).