Denmark risks losing momentum without investments in basic research
Center Director Lasse Heje Pedersen is among a group of Danish Centers of Excellence researchers who, in a new opinion piece in Altinget, call for continued investments in the Danish National Research Foundation, ensuring that future generations of researchers will also have the opportunity to build strong research environments.
For many years, Denmark has built a strong international position in research. But this position cannot be taken for granted. This is one of the key messages in a new opinion piece in Altinget, co-authored by Lasse Heje Pedersen and a group of researchers from Danish Centers of Excellence.
The researchers highlight the Danish National Research Foundation as an important foundation for basic research in Denmark. Through the foundation’s Centers of Excellence, leading researchers are given the opportunity to build ambitious research environments with a long-term perspective and the freedom to pursue new ideas and scientific breakthroughs.
In the opinion piece, the researchers therefore argue that the Danish National Research Foundation must be provided with sufficient funding to ensure that new Centers of Excellence can also be established in the future. This would give future generations of outstanding researchers the opportunity to build their own research environments and carry Danish basic research forward.
At the same time, investment in research is about more than individual research centres. Strong research environments can inspire young researchers, develop new talent, and help create the next generation of researchers who can push the boundaries of our knowledge.
The researchers' message is that Denmark risks losing the momentum built through long-term investment in basic research unless opportunities are also created for future Centers of Excellence.
Read the full opinion piece in Altinget here.