Dutch science is booming, but workload remains high

The Rathenau Institute sees Dutch science flourishing in recent years. But the necessary cultural change is slow, the workload is still too high, and the new government wants to make cuts again.

According to the report published yesterday Science Balance 2024 At the Rathenau Institute, the government's contribution to research and development (R&D) has risen sharply: from 5.5 billion euros per year in 2018 to 9.1 billion euros in 2023. But this year the money tap has already been slowly closed, the compilers warn, “followed by significant declines in subsequent years.” How significant this will be will become clear in the coming months.

Top position

Dutch scientists have recently gained a world-leading position when it comes to the number of publications their researchers produce under their own name. This work is also widely cited. After Singapore, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, the Netherlands ranks fourth in terms of citations, far ahead of the United States, which is in fifth place.

Thanks to their excellent reputation, Dutch scientists are more successful in securing research funding. According to each researcher, Dutch scientists receive the most European grants.

jealous

Enough countries will be jealous of this principled stance. So the Rathenau Institute concludes that Dutch science is doing well. But this success has a downside. More and more publications in prestigious trade journals and more and more temporary money lead to an unhealthy rat race that increases the workload.

Universities also want researchers to be promoted because of their excellent teaching, their contribution to the team, or because they share their scientific insights with the community in an accessible way.

In practice, few people see the tangible consequences of “recognition and appreciation.”

In recent years, this “recognition and appreciation” has become increasingly popular and studies also show that many people support its principles. But this is not enough to change the culture and the system. In practice, few people see its tangible consequences, as the Rathenau Institute points out. The actual time spent by researchers also shows that recognition and appreciation is still in its infancy.

high workload

What won’t help, the report shows, is that the workload at universities remains high. Absence from work due to illness is on the rise. Many young researchers are uncertain about their academic careers, and this is having a negative impact. Universities are offering slightly more permanent contracts than before. But many Dutch scientists are still paid on temporary money.

The proportion of women researchers is increasing in the Netherlands, but it still lags behind the rest of Europe. This is still true within colleges and universities: the higher the position, the fewer women there are.