From Challenges to Solutions: Addressing Systemic Issues for Early Career Researchers in the Baltic States

Meeting Description

Early-stage researchers (ECRs) are vital for the ongoing development and innovation. They bring fresh perspectives, energy, and a forward-looking approach. ECRs also represent a unique stakeholder group in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) whose agency is essential to the achievement and long-term viability of academic institutions.

The conference “Situation of young research in the Baltic States: Development or waste of future scientific potential?”, held 2023 in the Lithuanian Seimas, highlighted the following  specific challenges faced by ECRs working in the Baltic States: insufficient funding for basic research; too much mistrust in the ability of ECRs to realise their scientific ideas; too little involvement of ECR representatives in decision-making bodies at all levels; lack of mentoring and clear and transparent career development rules and an imbalance between scientific and business needs. Long working hours were also identified as one of the main challenges for ECRs in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. ECRs complain that work-related stress is so high that it leads to burnout. It was also noted that there is a lack of comprehensive research and monitoring of the situation of ECRs in research institutes and universities.

The aim of the event

The aim of the meeting is to draw the attention of stakeholders from the Baltic States to the challenges of ECR meet in research organizations and to discuss the steps to be taken to improve it on a systemic level.

Participants

The invited speakers, guests and participants represent Baltic States national science policy makers, organizations regulating and financing scientific activities, ECRs as well as researchers studying the ERC situation in Europe and beyond