Outgoing science chief confident on sector's future

Despite our economic woes, the departing head of Science Foundation Ireland is optimistic about Ireland's commitment to scientific research, writes DICK AHLSTROM

A DEGREE of uncertainty about the future clouds the departure of Prof Frank Gannon as he finishes this week as head of Science Foundation Ireland.

A financial rescue package for Ireland has been put in place and next Tuesday we face into what will certainly be one of the toughest budgets in the history of the State. And this will only be the first of four austerity budgets arising under the Government’s four-year plan to stabilise our national finances.

Despite this, however, Gannon is upbeat and confident about continued State investment in research.

The Government remains firmly committed to a sustained investment in research and this will be maintained despite our economic woes, he believes.

He points to the foundation’s own budget, which this year fell to €150 million, only to be increased to a planned €165 million for 2011.

He lobbied hard to see this commitment to the “smart economy” retained. “I believe the message did get through,” he says. “The continuity of investment is essential. Without it what else will we do?”

Gannon took up his position as director general in July 2007 and will leave about 18 months ahead of schedule to take up a new post in Australia.

He joins the Queensland Institute of Medical Research as chief executive officer and director in January, something that will allow him to get back in the lab and get directly involved in basic research. His decision to move had nothing to do with tussles over budgets, he says.

When he joined, the foundation’s role was clear and unambiguous – to fund the very best research with quality as the key issue. This has evolved, however, just as our financial fortunes changed.

The goal now is to conduct excellent research but also to see at least some of the resultant discoveries being translated into products.

It is not enough anymore to work solely in basic research, there has to be a balance between excellence and relevance, he says.

This is the direction in which Irish research is heading at any rate, he says.

“The quality has continued to rise and the relevance has continued to grow and one does now feed off the other,” Gannon says. “You would feel the model has worked – we will support excellence that will have an impact on the economy.”

This is important for a number of reasons, not least because having an international standing in research is an indisputable attractant for foreign direct investment. An increasing number of companies are coming to Ireland via the research door.

Gannon leaves the foundation as a fitter, leaner organisation. “The internal culture within SFI is extremely strong,” he says. “A lot of effort has gone into building up management and structures internally.”

He is fearful, however, lest this strong and committed group begins to disperse. No replacement for Gannon has yet been named, although an interim appointment is imminent if agreement can be reached. He views the failure to have an appointment ready as an “Achilles heel” for the organisation.

He also believes that the foundation must further develop its contacts with industrial research partners. “Keeping that bridge open is really, really important.”

“I think SFI is in a really good place, it is doing a quality job,” he concludes. “It has been great fun running it and it is a difficult time to leave.”

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