Navigating complexity: Are research leaders prepared for an unpredictable future?

Research and innovation (R&I) policymakers and stakeholders need to maintain a viable balance between research security, integrity and openness in turbulent geopolitical times. In recent months, this issue has been addressed by the European Council, G7 science ministers and STS Forum, among others. Across the Atlantic, governments have taken a cautious approach, with Canada banning scientists from federal funding if they work in critical research fields with universities and scientific organisations perceived as “risky”, and the US introducing new rules requiring universities to track the travel of foreign researchers who work in domains deemed politically or strategically sensitive.

Other indicators underline the need for action. In a major Ipsos- Elsevier study titled View from the Top, based on interviews with over 100 academic leaders and funders, 82% identified cyber security as a top priority, but only 45% felt well prepared to manage the risks (see graphic). For AI governance, the respective numbers were 64% against 23%. And looking ahead, almost twothirds of respondents believed that challenges associated with the political, technological and regulatory environment would become much greater over the next five years. 

Thus, research leaders in the modern world will likely require a new palette of skills, such as foresight, crisis preparedness, change management and policy awareness. So what does this mean in terms of long- term planning and capacity building? And more broadly, which role can policy bodies, technology providers, scientific publishers and national agencies play in supporting leaders to strike the right balance between security and openness throughout their institutions? 

 This paper summarises a multi-stakeholder roundtable discussion which took place in Brussels and online on December 3rd 2024, hosted by Science|Business in partnership with Elsevier, a global leader in scientific publishing and data analytics. Featuring senior representatives from across the R&I spectrum, it sought to identify strategic priorities and develop recommendations to ensure that the research leaders of tomorrow are fully prepared to guide their organisations forward into an unpredictable future. 

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