Who guides the direction of science?
Yliopistojen ja tutkimuslaitosten perustehtävä on tuottaa riippumatonta tietoa, joka palvelee yhteiskuntaa pitkällä aikavälillä.
english translation marko saajanaho
The fundamental goal of universities and research centres is to produce independent information to serve society in the long term. In recent years, this objective has been under increasing pressure. Funding models emphasise effectiveness, quick results, and external funding, guiding research towards commercial and political interests. At the same time, critical research considering the long term and challenging society is in danger of being marginalised.
The issue is not solely money, but also power. When the focus of research funding moves to business cooperation and politically determined priorities, research questions may also begin to form according to financier logic. Science is not immune to direction – it is directed where resources can be found. This is not the fault of researchers but a structural issue in the system.
Universities and research centres are now facing the question of how to secure living space for critical research. The first step is to recognise that freedom of research is not a certainty but a principle requiring continuous work. It is not realised through fancy speeches alone – concrete decisions are needed.
Core funding must be strengthened and directed especially to research that does not attract external funding but is essential to society. Studying democracy, equality, the environmental crisis, or the welfare state does not always produce patents or quick innovations, but it does produce understanding that can be used to push society in a better direction for everyone.
We must develop funding models that protect researchers from excessive external direction. Business co-operation is valuable but needs mechanisms alongside it to ensure the independence of research questions and openness of results. Researchers must not find themselves in a situation where critical analysis is a risk for continuous funding. Furthermore, freedom of research must be defended in public discourse. In an increasingly tense political climate, as the autonomy of science may be questioned, universities and research centres must be bold. Their job is to produce science and data that can also challenge those in power.
Critical research is the backbone of democracy. The value of science is not measured solely in euros or quick benefits but in the ability to see further than the market and politics. As such, I encourage the whole university community, its stakeholders, and every science enthusiast to widely influence political decisionmakers to craft a science and research positive government programme for the next term.
