‘Cultural evolution’ needed to reinvigorate academic research

The former chief executive of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Alan Leshner, has called for a ‘cultural evolution’ in academic research to update funding systems, as well as longstanding academic reward structures.

‘We need to have aspects of our scientific culture evolve, and behaviour change,’ Leshner said at a recent National Academy of Sciences symposium on the future of science in Washington DC, warning that such cultural shifts are extremely difficult. ‘People hate change, and unfortunately, scientists are also people,’ said Leshner. ‘The way to do it is to capitalise on the fact that scientists are also people, and make some changes to the incentive system.’