MEASURING THE SOCIAL VALUE OF RESEARCH

The societal added value of the research, education and innovation conducted at IPB represent the very core of our institutional mission. During the past year IPB management has focused on developing a set of appropriate metrics with which it would be possible to continuously monitor and assess the impact of an institutions research effort on Serbian society. We believe that this kind of monitoring has the power to positively impact not only IPB but all institutions in the country's wider sector of reserch, higher education and technology development.

Preliminary results of this effort were submitted to both the professional and wider public in April 2014 as a basis for setting up national consensus related to the future roles of science, higher education and technology development in Serbia. To do this IPB organizing the Future of science in Serbia forum, an presented “ten commandments” – theses intended to serve as a basis for setting up a national consensus related to the benefits that our society has (and should have) from its science and technology sector. These theses represent the first step in the process of developing a metric to gauge this type of societal utility.

Theses for national consensus:

1. Expansion of scientific knowledge represents one of the most powerful transforming forces in society.
2. The domestic expertise, knowledge and cometancies of a nation are its principle resource.
3. Science and the technologies it brings forth are the key elements of economic development.
4. Rational, fact-based discourse and the culture of science represent global civilizational values that Serbia shares.
5. Science is the foundation of the educational system of a country and an inspiration to its citizens.
6. Science is a key precondition of a secure society.
7. Science is the prerequisite for citizen's health and wellfare.
8. R&D is one of a small number of sectors in Serbia whose performance and competitiveness is gauged according to established international criteria.
9. Past successes of Serbia's renowned scientists represent an important facet of its national identity.
10. Countries do not invest in research because they are rich, but to enhance the levels of their development, influence and wealth.