In a comprehensive interview published today in one of Portugal's leading daily newspapers (accessible via the link above), the septuagenarian scientist Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council, highlights a stark reality: China invests 50% more in research annually than Europe. When asked by the journalist, "Is the lag in European science solely a matter of investment?" her response is reproduced below:
"You’re asking about innovation. It’s not just my opinion—the reports I cited have highlighted these issues. Additionally, economists like Jean Tirole, a Nobel laureate, have also commented on similar challenges. A common criticism is that scientists lack entrepreneurial spirit. However, that’s not what I observe among our researchers. Instead, the issue often lies elsewhere. One significant challenge is that universities don’t do enough to support the transfer of knowledge from academia to society or to bridge the gap between science and the market. This might be an important factor, but what’s abundantly clear from the voices I’ve mentioned is the issue of fragmentation within Europe. Consider this scenario: someone in Barcelona develops an innovation—a proof of concept, for instance—bringing it to market and securing all the necessary licenses. Now, they seek an investor to help launch a company to commercialize the product. Unfortunately, they’re at a disadvantage because their primary market is limited to Spain. Meanwhile, a colleague in the United States might undertake a similar endeavor, but their market encompasses the entire country. This difference in market scale creates a significant imbalance in opportunities..."
It is, however, deeply regrettable that she failed to point out to the journalist that the root cause of this issue lies squarely with the politicians. This oversight is particularly glaring given the clear evidence outlined in the Draghi report, specifically on page 214, which unequivocally states: “Europe’s researchers have few incentives to become entrepreneurs.” . The reality is far grimmer—those incentives are not merely lacking; they are non-existent, leaving Europe’s researchers shackled by a system that seems designed to stifle entrepreneurial ambition. This isn’t just neglect; it’s systemic self-sabotage.
A glaring example of this failure is the obstinate refusal to embrace proven strategies that have the potential to revolutionize innovation within European universities. One such strategy is Sweden’s model: reinstating the “professor’s privilege,”. The evidence is irrefutable—eliminating this so-called privilege, which once granted professors ownership of the intellectual property stemming from their inventions, was not merely a grave misstep but an act of breathtaking short-sightedness. https://pacheco-torgal.blogspot.com/2020/03/new-evidence-shows-that-abolishment-of.html
PS - Personally, I would advocate for adopting a more assertive and uncompromising stance against the evident cowardice of European politicians—a stance akin to that taken by the esteemed former President of the European Research Council (ERC), the French mathematician Jean-Pierre Bourguignon. Bourguignon did not mince words when he issued a powerful and inspiring call to action, urging researchers to demonstrate their “fighting spirit.” https://pacheco-torgal.blogspot.com/2019/12/there-are-times-when-scientists-must.html
