Making the case for independent science
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule ended in the spring, when voters replaced him with Péter Magyar, who has pledged to undo Orbán-led initiatives that, in the eyes of critics, isolated and politicized science.
This article explores the importance of maintaining independent science, particularly in light of Hungary's recent political changes. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ruled for 16 years, but his government's actions have isolated and politicized science. Albert-László Barabási, a prominent scientist and professor, has outlined a plan for President Péter Magyar to reverse these trends.
Hungary boasts a strong scientific tradition, with numerous Nobel laureates and contributions to various fields. However, the Orbán regime intervened in Hungary's research institutions and national labs, removing them from the control of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. This shift has created psychological distance and undermined the scientific community's cohesion. Despite increased funding and resources, the psychological impact of losing academic control proved difficult to overcome.
The Orbán government attempted to address this by creating independent foundations to fund universities, but these foundations were controlled by political appointees. This effectively politicized research funding and limited collaboration with international peers. The EU has recognized these issues, protesting Hungary's universities' exclusion from the Erasmus program and European funding.
Restoring independent research governance is crucial for rebuilding trust and scientific capacity. Barabási emphasizes the need for transparent decision-making and sustained funding to address Hungary's scientific challenges. While the direction appears positive, the outcome will depend on the new government's commitment to maintaining scientific independence.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
