Urgent reforms urged in Spain

Spanish science is in need of drastic and urgent reform if it is to keep pace with its European neighbors, according to a report released this week by a group of societies representing tens of thousands of researchers.

The report, released Monday, was commissioned by the Confederation of Spanish Scientific Societies (COSCE), which represents some 30,000 scientists from 53 societies. "It's the most important army ever mounted," said COSCE president Joan Guinovart, a biochemist at the University of Barcelona.

"The situation is critical," Guinovart told The Scientist. "It is urgent that we take measures. Spain's science is at a crossroads. If we take a step forward now, we can get to the level of our neighbors. If we don't, we'll lose a historic opportunity."

The report makes a total of 70 concrete proposals to make the scientific system more competitive. First, its authors urge the government to stick to its ...