A professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine noted that the research field is facing a crisis due to the government's misguided research and development (R&D) policy direction.
Professor Han-beom of the Department of Medical Science at Seoul National University recently uploaded a video titled "Korean science is withering away | Misguided R&D policy | A statement from a Seoul National University professor" on his YouTube channel.
In the video, Professor Han pointed out, "What scientists agree on is that the strange R&D policy direction that started last year is shattering the future of science in South Korea," and he noted that budget cuts in R&D have diminished the funding for researchers' multi-year projects, leading to a loss of trust.
He particularly mentioned that there is a significant impact on researchers who have been training students while operating small labs. Last year, a total of 2,951 research projects were selected, combining 1,381 mid-sized research projects and 1,570 fundamental research projects. However, this year, fundamental research has been abolished, and the number of mid-sized research projects has dropped to 910. Although 885 creative research projects were newly established to replace fundamental research, the total is only 1,795, indicating a reduction in the scale of support compared to before.
Professor Han explained that if research is halted due to a lack of funding, it prevents the publication of papers, leading to a vicious cycle of diminishing competitiveness for research funding and ultimately increasing the likelihood that researchers will completely abandon their work.
He also refuted the allegations of a research funding cartel raised by some. Citing his own experience, he emphasized, "I've never received any requests, and I don't even know who will be the reviewers until the review begins," adding, "In personal research, evaluations are made solely based on research outcomes and proposals, regardless of how well-connected the professor is; if they can't write a proposal, they'll be eliminated."
He expressed opposition to the approach of supporting large research projects centered on a small number of researchers. He explained, "Even Nobel Prize winners often conducted research in fields that were considered strange in the past. Those researchers eventually found recognition. Creating many small research projects allows emerging researchers to study for an extended period, which is a much better approach."
He stated that he doubts the current crisis in the research field can be restored to its original state merely through budget recovery, noting, "It is heading towards irreversible damage."
Regarding the reason for uploading the video, Professor Han added, "Everyone talks about the problems with the misguided policy direction, but there is no channel through which we can do something as an organization." He continued, "From the perspective of someone who barely obtained research funding, I thought I should raise my small voice."