Greek Scientists Take Flight Too

The Guardian has an extended article on the Greek state’s inability to pay its young researchers because of the financial crisis it has been struggling with the past few years. As highlighted, the Greek scientists’ contribution to the top 1% of the most-cited research articles has been ranked 13th worldwide, above Canada, Italy and France. This means that for every euro invested, the Greek research community generates three.

According to the article, Greek scientists have done really well in obtaining funds from European schemes such as the Framework Programs.

However, this human potential is not at all supported or encouraged by the Greek state. In addition, the Greek government has actually cut back public expenditure on higher education and research.

Since 2009, research centers and universities have seen their budgets cut by about 30% and 50% respectively. Scientists and faculty members’ salaries have also been cut by about 30%, something that could mark the beginning of the end for creative science at Greek universities and research institutes.

However, the most dramatic impact of austerity, has been the “hostage situation” it created for about 750 scholars, PhD holders, who have been placed instead on a waiting list.

As the Guardian characteristically underlined, these 750 Greek university lecturers are being sacrificed both on a personal and professional level. After up to four years in unpaid limbo, many have turned towards casual, precarious or short-term employment outside academia, or have already left Greece for a better research career throughout Europe, the US, or Australia.