Researcher mobility key to achievement of ERA, says new report
The latest report from the High-level expert group (HLG) on improving the mobility of researchers indicates that action must be taken to eradicate existing barriers to the free movement of researchers if the proposed European Research Area (ERA) is to become a reality. The report, printed in April this year and recently released, examined both movements between countries (transnational mobility) and between industry and academia and the private and public sectors (intersectorial mobility). The HLG found that researchers, particularly those from third (non-EU) countries, face a plethora of administrative obstacles to transnational mobility. Third country researchers or those with third country family members face cumbersome problems with visa, residence permit and work permit requirements. Furthermore, immigration restrictions often make it impossible for non-EU nationals to take up residence in the host country for more than short stays or for employment. Differences in the social security systems and taxation levels of different member states can also make it unattractive to move from countries with a high level of security benefits (eg - a long period of maternity leave) to those with high taxation and social security contributions. In some cases, mobile researchers have to pay for benefits, such as unemployment insurance, which they are not entitled to receive. The risk of double taxation and loss of pension contributions further reduces the appeal of moving abroad to do research work. However, the HLG did note several examples of good practice in this area. In France, for example, holders of scientific visa are automatically exempt from work permits. Furthermore, a work permit is automatically issued for spouses. Germany takes a similarly enlightened approach, alleviating work permit rules for third country researchers funded within EU programmes. In addition to the bureaucratic obstacles which many mobile persons face, the HLG also identified a number of social, cultural and practical difficulties which can hinder the free movement of researchers. One of the main problems is the lack of co-ordinated, one-stop information sources. Such information as is provided on the Internet is often out-of-date and incorrect. This lack of coherent information is often compounded by a lack of personal support with legal and practical problems. Everyday problems can also exacerbate the difficulties of foreign researchers. Lack of knowledge of the local language, while less of a problem in the laboratory where a common language is often used, can hamper social integration and cause problems in day to day life. This can be particularly serious for accompanying family members, such as children. On a personal level, disruption to a partner's career and to children's education can often create problems similarly exacerbated by a lack of support and information. Some countries, however, such as France, the Netherlands, Finland and the UK, provide Internet sites giving nationwide information on opportunities and regulations. In France, the Kastler Foundation provides personalised assistance to researchers from abroad, and a number of countries help out with family language courses. The HLG also examined a number of factors which can discourage researchers in the first instance from seeking to add a European dimension to their careers. Although international travel can enhance the attractiveness of a scientific career and help to counteract the danger of a future shortage of researchers, there are currently many factors which make such mobility a disadvantage. Researchers who have been away from their national research system often find it difficult to obtain work on return, and those researchers with permanent positions may find that their time abroad is not recognised in terms of either career advancement or intellectual value. The attractiveness of foreign research is also hampered by problems such as inadequate funding and difficulties with the recognition of foreign qualifications. In some Member States, however, progress has been made in addressing these problems. A wide range of transnational mobility schemes are in operation at both European Community and Member State level. Portugal, for example, has increased the number of mobility fellowships for incoming foreign researchers by 50 per cent from 1994 to 1999. The HLG also noted that the further encouragement of links between industry and academia was necessary to take full economic advantage of new advances in technology and to cope with the demands of globalisation. The mobility of researchers between the sectors is widely seen as a useful mechanism for encouraging these links, and is particularly important in view of the low proportion of EU researchers employed in the commercial sector in comparison with the USA and Japan. The HLG report identified a number of ideological barriers to intersectorial mobility, in addition to practical obstacles such as the transfer of social security rights and a lack of financial support for start-up companies. A lack of understanding between the sectors is often the primary cause of conflicts such as publication versus confidentiality, best science versus product development and disputes over intellectual property rights. All Member States, however, have schemes in place to promote intersectorial mobility The UK's science and innovation white paper aims to encourage this link by strengthening the interface between science and academia. The HLG report suggests a number of areas where further work is needed. These include the establishment of an Internet portal to provide mobile researchers with up-to-date legal, administrative and cultural information. The provision of such information should be combined with measures to help researchers maintain links with their home organisation while abroad and with a code of conduct to improve practice in the reception of foreign researchers. The report also suggests the creation of good practice workshops for the exchange of best practice examples, and an examination of the obstacles to researcher mobility in the light of further legal study and practical examples. Such discussion should form the basis of a constant dialogue between Member States and the EU to raise the visibility of existing difficulties. The report also suggests the building of a coherent pattern of funding opportunities at both a national and Community level. The HLG also highlighted the need for better language training for researchers and their families and more comprehensive support for dual-career households and for researchers with children. The need for public research institutions to recognise the scientific and intellectual value of research periods abroad was also highlighted. The HLG, which includes representatives of the European Commission's Research Directorate-General and Member State governments, was convened by Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin in response to a Research Council resolution on researcher mobility adopted in June 2000.