News & Views item - June  2004

 

 

Bonn's Center of Advanced European Studies and Research Receives a Severe Caution from the Wissenschaftsrat, the German Science Council. (June 10, 2004)

    It ought to be a cautionary example for Australian policy makers who are forcing with increasing pressure top down scientific research prioritisation after what are at best deficient, slap-dash reviews instituted by the Department of Education, Science and Training. They are narrowing the playing field to a degree that may eventually squander billions.

    Caesar, The Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, was opened in Bonn in 1999 and has as its mission, "No research just for the sake of research but as an answer to clearly defined questions; no science within the confines of traditional research disciplines but by means of interdisciplinary cooperation. Caesar is a catalyst for uncommon solutions – and a springboard for new companies." It has a staff of about 250 of which just over a  hundred are scientists. With an endowment of about A$500 million and a new A$105 million laboratory it would be considered well resourced. But a report issued by the German Science Council on June 1 finds that its performance has been disappointing.

    Nature summarises the findings of the external reviewers, "too few marketable applications have been developed, and there are not enough publications, patents and spin-offs. Almost half of the centre's 21 groups are under performing, and the quality-control system is less than satisfactory." The fundamental question is why. The council's secretary-general, Wedig von Heyden, puts it this way, "Caesar's interdisciplinary concept is certainly worthwhile, but in practice, research gets bogged down. To get back on track, the centre needs to focus on a reduced number of activities -- preferably in the life sciences and medical technology."

    But this is probably a simplistic assessment.  Gerhard Wegner, a scientific director at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research told Nature, "Caesar's concept and ambitions were over-optimistic from the start. To succeed in these difficult markets, you need detailed knowledge about your industrial and scientific competitors, and a solid international standing. But a careful market analysis has never been done, and Caesar is more or less unknown outside Germany. The scientific advisory committee has mentioned these problems several times, but we didn't really get heard." Not unexpectedly Caesar's administration denies that proffered advice has been ignored but the centre is now very much under the gun. The science council has recommended the  foundation board look into ways of restructuring the centre by the end of 2005 and until then no further funds should be made available to it "without the express approval of its grant-givers."