JRC Implementation Review 2017
You will have seen on Connected@JRC the post of our Director General about the
independent JRC Implementation Review 2017. The
external panel was under the chairmanship of Patrick Cunningham, former Chief
Scientist to the Irish Government, and they completed their report this summer.
The DG posted under the title 'Very positive evaluation of the JRC'. Indeed the report is
positive about many aspects of the JRC, and we welcome the appreciation of the
work that is done by all JRC staff. However, we would also have liked to see
more attention being paid to the parts of the report that were less positive.
A critical self-examination is essential in order to improve any organization. The opinion of staff about how they see the current status and future direction is also essential to obtain the full picture.
A critical self-examination is essential in order to improve any organization. The opinion of staff about how they see the current status and future direction is also essential to obtain the full picture.
This review also made headlines in the science journal Nature in an
editorial entitled 'Europe’s Joint Research Centre, although improving, must
think bigger' and it is rewarding
for the JRC to get such international exposure. The title says it all - there are a
lot of positive points for the JRC, which we should welcome, but it is also
important to pay attention to suggestions for improvements.
From the Nature editorial:
"…It also notes that the JRC has significantly increased its presence in the world’s top-cited literature. But it says that the centre still does too little exploratory research — such research engages only 3.5% of JRC staff, well below the target of 10% that it set itself in 2015..."
"…It also notes that the JRC has significantly increased its presence in the world’s top-cited literature. But it says that the centre still does too little exploratory research — such research engages only 3.5% of JRC staff, well below the target of 10% that it set itself in 2015..."
"...As well as keeping the JRC relevant, a wider focus on the cutting
edge would allow it to flag up hot topics to policymakers earlier..."
The message is clearly that more investment, not less, in Knowledge
Production is essential in order to keep the JRC relevant.
On Friday 20th October we'll meet with our DG and this review will be discussed. Like us, we are
sure you have strong opinions regarding the current status of the JRC Strategy
2030. We also understand that many colleagues prefer not to express themselves
in Connected@JRC, so if you have comments that you would like us to bring to
the attention of the DG please let us know
by calling the R&D secretariat at 9645 or by e-mail.
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