In 2000, facing the decline of the Celtic Tiger and the threat of job losses due to the relocation of manufacturing sectors to less expensive regions, Ireland decided to make a substantial investment in its economic destiny. It did so by committing €1 billion to specified research areas via the establishment of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), with the goal of creating more economic possibilities. However, there is recent uncertainty around the continuance of SFI as some new legislative proposals propose its closure. If these proposals materialise, they would neglect one of the greatest economic commitments ever made by a smaller nation.
Our recent book, “How to Change the Future: Lessons from Ireland on Revolutionising Scientific Innovation and Economic Prosperity” (published by FiReBooks in 2023), reveals the immense impact of SFI till this date. A few illustrative instances include:
– The rise in Ireland’s annual foreign direct investment (FDI) from €8.8 billion when SFI was established to an average of €51 billion over the past two decades – a growth by over six times.
– Increase of FDI firms’ workforce in Ireland to over 300,000 – nearly half of these companies are outside of Dublin.
– The provision of support to over 3000 industry collaborations across almost 1500 multinational corporations and small and medium-sized firms through SFI’s yearly investments.
– Enhancement of Ireland’s global reputation in scientific research, bringing it into the top five for diverse areas including immunology, agricultural sciences, pharmacology and toxicology, neuroscience and behavioural research, and materials sciences.
– A notable improvement in Ireland’s research output ranking – from being parallel with the world’s poorest countries before SFI, to now regularly being among the top 10-15.
While we do not have a personal stake in the future of SFI, our perspective as outside observers, derived from our research for the book, is significant. Paradoxically, the book was aimed at inspiring other nations to follow Ireland’s SFI model. With the future of SFI now hanging in the balance, the book’s 20 lessons could now serve as considerable insights for legislators deliberating on SFI’s future. These points may provoke some important questions.
The latest legislative proposals spark questions surrounding their alignment with Ireland’s investment strategies. The origins of SFI are from the study Technology Foresight, which was a thorough 18 month investigation into the nation’s competitive landscape and economic challenges. Spearheaded by leading figures from Irish sectors such as science, business, academia, and the civil service, this study created a robust knowledge base paving the way for the success of SFI. Should Ireland not consider mirroring this effective approach and make informed decisions about its future investments by undertaking a second Technology Foresight study before making hasty changes?
Next, it’s questionable whether the proposed legislation will ensure the advantages observed from strategically targeted investments. Following the original Technology Foresight, Ireland could have scattered its new investments across numerous fields. Instead, the nation intelligently favoured the sectors with the most potential. The SFI’s concentration on biotech, ICT, brought impressive advancements in Ireland’s education, science, and economic sectors. Any legislative decisions that avoid making these tough calls may lead to adverse effects.
Lastly, does this new legislation leverage the worth of diverse viewpoints? SFI, in its foundational years, assembled a team of international experts to collaborate with Irish leaders, establish exceptional grant protocols and evaluate investment decisions. The team included renowned figures such as electrical engineer Erich Bloch, who formerly headed the US National Science Foundation, chemist Ira Levin from the US National Institutes of Health, and successful Indian businesswoman Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. Could such international input enhance the proposed legislation? This could include assembling a board of industry professionals to forge meaningful connections between Irish academia and industry, a key factor of the SFI’s strong economic contributions that the proposed legislation neglects.
Aside from these concerns, something else troubling regarding this legislative proposal to dissolve SFI is the potential loss of the SFI brand. While there’s comprehensive data demonstrating SFI’s immense value to Ireland, the intangible benefits of the SFI brand also need to be recognised. Over the years, the SFI brand has globally positioned Ireland favourably, drawing the interests of investors, scientists, postgraduate students and more.
The United States holds the globally recognised National Science Foundation (NSF) in high esteem, a foundation that has been in operation for over seven decades. Interestingly, the NSF served as the blueprint for Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), hence examining its evolution over time could be enlightening. Rather than discontinuing operations as situations changed, the NSF adapted its purpose – in 1981 it integrated an engineering branch, and a decade later a division for social, behavioural, and economic sciences was brought on board. Despite these alterations, the NSF stayed true to its name and also focused on physical and natural sciences, contributing significantly to the educational and economic prowess of the US.
As such, one can’t help but wonder if augmenting a new division to the SFI to cater for more disciplines could be a productive move for Ireland. This wouldn’t mean compromising the hard-earned SFI’s reputation, its focus, or its impact. For two decades, the SFI’s brand has been painstakingly built and it’s clear to see from the data studied how beneficial it has been for Ireland. Our hope is that Ireland continues to harness the immense advantages offered by the SFI.
Dr William C Harris, a former director-general of the SFI (2001-2005) who also had a 20-year tenure at the US NSF, including a stint as head of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate, has shared his insights along with Dr Peter F Mackey, the founder and president of Mackey Strategies who also previously served as the SFI’s director of communications (2001-2003). Mackey has held the position of head of communications for several top-tier American universities and colleges.