interview Tough times for Greek science The recent economic crisis has drastically affected research and development in Greece, but competitive research goes on, says Eleftherios Economou, a founder of the Foundation of Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH) research centre in Greece, and former General Secretary for research and technology. ■■ Why did you decide to study physics? Studies is located in the town of Rethymnon During my undergraduate years at in Crete. However, the part of the Institute the Technical University of Athens I of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology that was very lucky to have had inspiring focuses on medical applications is located at mathematics professors. In particular, the campus of the University of Ioannina in one of them recommended some English northern Greece. textbooks on advanced electromagnetism FORTH is administratively independent and introductory books on quantum of the universities, but is able to offer joint mechanics. I was thrilled to discover faculty appointments and allows graduate intellectual treasures in them. Then, in the students to conduct their research in its early 1960s, the newly established research facilities. This type of cooperation, which by centre ‘Demokritos’ organized unofficial the way is available to all research centres in courses on modern physics, taught by Greece, has proved very beneficial to both researchers who had just returned after the University of Crete and FORTH. completing their PhD in the US or UK. FORTH has been quite successful Several colleagues of mine followed these in competing within the Framework courses and, as a result, they were set on a Programme of the European Union path to study physics abroad, in the USA, © E. N. ECONOMOU (EU). (In the latest report from the EU UK, France and so on. covering the period 2007–2010, FORTH ■■ What was the research landscape in was ranked number 1 among all Greek ■■ You started your career in the US in Greece and the US like back then? research centres and universities as far as the early 1970s. What made you decide In the 1960s, modern physics in Greece had competitive funding from the Framework to go overseas, and how did you select just been introduced with an emphasis on Programme was concerned, number 12 your topic of research? high-energy theory through the initiatives among all European research centres, The events I mentioned before oriented of Demokritos. But, in general, research and number 28 among all universities me towards studying theoretical physics opportunities in Greek universities and research centres in the EU.) Over the abroad, because the opportunities in and higher institutions were very few. 29 years of its operation up until 2012, 41% Greece were essentially non-existent. A In contrast, the University of Chicago, of its expenditure came from organizations few of my friends were already studying being one of the top US universities, outside of Greece, 18% from the private physics or chemistry at the University of offered excellent research opportunities in sector, 23% from structural, infrastructural Chicago. So, I included this university in my almost all branches of modern physics. In and matching funds, and 18% from the applications. The University of Chicago was particular, in the late 1960s, it was among state budget; the latter was supposed to flexible enough to accept me in the middle the centres worldwide where the novel cover salaries of tenure and tenure-track of the spring quarter of 1966, just after I topic of disordered systems was being personnel, and other inelastic expenses. had finished my military obligations in developed. During the 1970s, as a faculty In reality, all other sources of income the Greek Air Force. I had already decided member of the Physics Department at the contributed to these expenses. FORTH gives to study theoretical physics; the dilemma University of Virginia, my research interests about 250 fellowships per year to young for me at that time was choosing between were on disordered systems, amorphous researchers and among other activities has high-energy theory (very popular among semiconductors, the Hubbard model and created and operates the Crete University Greek students back then) and solid-state superconductivity. Press with more than 400 titles and about physics (almost unknown in Greece in the 100,000 book sales per year. 1960s). The attraction of the unknown and ■■ What are FORTH’s research activities? the then top-ranking solid-state theory Can you tell us more about this institution? ■■ What has the research environment in group at the University of Chicago led At present, FORTH consists of six institutes Greece been like more recently and how me to choose solid-state theory. My PhD that focus on applied mathematics, does it compare with that across Europe? thesis on surface plasmons in multilayered computer science, materials and lasers, Since the early 1980s, Greek research has metal/dielectric structures was completed molecular biology, chemical engineering improved mainly, in my opinion, because in 1968. Surface plasmons were thought at and Mediterranean studies. The first four researchers can compete for funds from the that time as alternative means to mediate institutes are located in Heraklion next to European Framework Programme. Very superconductivity. Of course, I could the University of Crete campus, the Institute competitive research groups, on a par with not guess then the future of this field — of Chemical Engineering Sciences is located those across Europe, now exist although nowadays known as the vibrant field in Patras next to the University of Patras they are the exception among the less of plasmonics. campus, and the Institute for Mediterranean competitive or inactive units. One of the 686 NATURE MATERIALS | VOL 12 | AUGUST 2013 | www.nature.com/naturematerials © 2013 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved interview problems of research in Greece is the rare were applied across the board without because, if it is implemented without a national evaluation of performance, and any consideration of performance. serious and comparative evaluation, it may mainly, its almost complete disconnection Recruitment for tenure-track positions reduce the quality of the existing centres of from national funding. A second is the is next to impossible and the brain drain excellence; such a development would be inadequate overall expenditure for research is steadily increasing. Nevertheless, there extremely difficult to reverse. Actually, the and development, which was (before the are some recent signs that things may be small number of ‘window dressing’ mergers crisis) only 0.57% of the gross domestic improving: a new law for the universities, implemented up to now have produced no product (of that, 0.28% was from the passed a year and a half ago, eliminated savings worth mentioning, have had no Government, 0.12% from the private sector, the politicized student bodies from the effects on scientific excellence, and have not 0.14% from sources outside of Greece university administrations and brought produced cooperation between universities; and 0.03% from various other sources). some new blood to their top level by instead, they gave rise to some temporal A third problem is the relatively minute introducing a kind of overseeing board upheaval, and added further uncertainty to contribution from the private sector, which consisting typically of senior professors. the competitive components of the Greek consists mainly of small enterprises that are National research grants and matching research system. unable to appreciably invest in research. It funds (financed by the structural funds) should be noted that in advanced countries have started reappearing. ■■ Are you optimistic about the future? the share of the private sector exceeds What do you see is the way forward? the sum of all other sources combined. ■■ Are any reforms currently being I think the foremost concern is how to Finally, the Greek government (and the implemented in Greece’s universities and keep the various competitive groups public) do not really believe that research higher institutions? within the universities and the research and technology is needed in Greece; I already mentioned the new law, which centres alive during the financial crisis. I thus whatever measures that are taken or is clearly beneficial, although some retain a glimmer of hope that this task can announced in support of research lack aspects of it require revision; moreover, be achieved provided that the structural consistency, and are usually limited to its implementation has not been without funds continue to supply money through rhetoric statements and window-dressing obstacles. The Greek government should competitive national grants, unnecessary actions. Therefore, in spite of the substantial immediately take some measures of no restrictions are removed, and no quick improvement achieved during the period cost that will reduce the bureaucracy and ‘fixes’ such as window-dressing mergers that 1980–2010, Greek research has not realized make the operation of the research centres have not been seriously evaluated will be its potential. more efficient. Any restrictions on salaries implemented. of research personnel paid from sources ■■ How much has the recent economic other than those of the Government must ■■ What are your personal plans for situation affected academic institutions be lifted. This would allow the best research the future? Do you intend to continue and research in