Viewpoint

Research, innovation and entrepreneurship are vital to reshape economies and deliver on the promise of the Arab Spring, say Thomas Andersson and Abdelkader Djeflat

There is a pressing need to improve the ways in which the output of scientific research is evaluated by funding agencies, academic institutions, and other parties, say journal editors, researchers and scientific bodies, in the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment

Traditional tech transfer makes it hard for industry to realise commercial potential, and for universities to maximise the value, of IP. A new approach pioneered by the University of Manitoba aims to change this, using IP to underpin collaboration, explains Digvir Jayas

Empowering women in research is not enough to close the gender gap. It’s time to “fix the institutions” say Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education and Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Commissioner for R&D, in a Q&A with Science|Business

If Europe’s regional policy is to contribute to smart and sustainable growth, regional funds must be allocated to research, innovation, ICT and the low carbon economy, says Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Regional Policy

Global university rankings are proliferating, as are the methodologies and indicators they use. Meanwhile, their influence on policy makers is growing. Universities need to be aware of the potential uses and misuses of these league tables says a new report from the EUA

She herself is a perfect role model and now Europe’s chief Scientist Anne Glover is spearheading a drive to attract more people into science. First, we need to change the image of scientists, she says

Technology transfer in Germany is ripe for reform. A grace period for filing patents would help – and industry collaboration needs an overhaul, says Jörg Steinbach, President of the Technical University of Berlin

The problems with technology transfer arise because it is entrusted to universities and research funding bodies. The act of preparing research for commercialisation requires commercial skills, and should be handled by independent commercial bodies

The UK government does not have a coherent strategy to support the commercialisation of research and is failing to secure the full economic benefits of its world-class science base, warn MPs