EIGHTH REPORT
The Science and Technology Committee has
agreed to the following Report:
SHORT-TERM RESEARCH CONTRACTS IN SCIENCE
AND ENGINEERING
INTRODUCTION
1. Around half of all science and technology researchers
working in UK universities are employed on fixed-term contracts
as contract research staff. We were concerned that this situation
might undermine the productivity and enthusiasm of researchers
and make a research career in science or engineering an unattractive
option. We felt that this issue would have to be resolved if the
quality and reputation of UK research in science, engineering
and technology were to be maintained and if universities were
to be the drivers of their local economies as the Government wished.
2. There have been a number of policy initiatives
in recent years that have addressed this issue but we were concerned
that the focus had been on managing the situation rather than
tackling the underlying causes. We decided to conduct a short
inquiry to identify some of the problems faced by contract researchers,
scrutinise efforts made by Government and universities and suggest
a productive way forward. While this inquiry will focus on researchers,
we are aware that there are similar issues that apply to support
staff, in particular technicians. We also appreciate that the
flow of PhDs into research careers impacts on the issue but it
is outside the scope of this inquiry.
3. The Committee received 87 submissions of written
evidence and held a single oral evidence session on 3 July 2002,
from contract researchers at various stages of their careers;
the Association of University Teachers and NATFHE, the university
and college lecturers' union; Universities UK; and Sir Gareth
Roberts, President of Wolfson College, Oxford, Chairman of the
Research Careers Initiative and author of a recent review for
Government on the supply of scientists (the Roberts Review) .
We are grateful to all those who have assisted with the inquiry,
in particular to our Specialist Adviser, Professor Michael Elves,
formerly Director of the Office of Scientific and Educational
Affairs, Glaxo Wellcome plc.
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