Feb 27 β€’ 07:29 UTC πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ Germany SZ

Research Policy: "One Must Deliver All the Time"

Amrei Bahr, a prominent voice in the #IchBinHanna movement, expresses her intention to leave academia despite nearing a professorship, highlighting the pressures and precarious conditions faced by researchers in the scientific field.

In 2021, a promotional video from the German Federal Ministry of Research featuring a fictional young scientist named Hanna sparked the #IchBinHanna protest movement, as many early-career researchers felt mocked by the portrayal of temporary contracts in science. Amrei Bahr, one of the movement's initiators and now a junior professor at the University of Stuttgart, has been successfully evaluated and is on the path to a full professorship. However, she recently announced on LinkedIn that she plans to leave academia by 2028 when her junior professorship ends. Bahr's decision comes amid growing concerns about the high-pressure environment in academia that prioritizes constant output over sustainable job security. She reflects on the unrealistic expectations placed on researchers and argues that such precarious conditions stifle innovation and meaningful contributions to science. In her view, the current system fails to support the very individuals who drive scientific progress, leading to widespread disillusionment. Her insights prompt a broader discussion about the need for structural reforms in academic research policies, suggesting that a shift towards more stable and supportive environments could enhance both the well-being of researchers and the overall quality of scientific output. The interview emphasizes a critical moment in the ongoing dialogue about the future of academia and the wellbeing of its workforce, particularly in light of the increasing scrutiny of work conditions in educational and research institutions across Germany.

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