The report concludes that 40.5% of the high school graduates surveyed would like to dedicate themselves to the research. PHOTO: Manuel Castells

The students of the subject "Industrial and Technological Policy" of the School of Engineers - Tecnun that the University of Navarra has in its campus of San Sebastian, have elaborated the study "research and Youth". This report gathers the opinion of 500 first and second year students of high school diploma and was carried out in 6 schools in San Sebastian, both private and public. In addition, 500 parents participated in the study by filling out the survey at home. The work was directed by Professor Mikel Arcelus.

Among the conclusions of report is that 40.5% of students would like to dedicate themselves to research and that 71% of parents would support their children if they chose this path.

The authors of the study affirm that "there is a pool of researchers, because there is a vocation", but warn that "the necessary conditions are not provided for young people to continue along this path. Scholarships and aid for researchers should be increased, especially at the beginning of their professional activity, so that they do not look for other employment opportunities". This reality is widely perceived by parents, since 60% consider that the salaries of researchers are low and that it is difficult to make a living from research. This perception, however, clashes with that of the graduates: 75% consider it feasible to lead an economically dignified life working as researcher.

Professor Mikel Arcelus adds: "The agents involved (institutions, universities, research and development+i centers, media and schools) must encourage the research vocation from school. For example, by scheduling visits to research centers, proposing competitions...". Only 39% of the young people surveyed have visited a research center and only 29% of parents have done so. In addition, the study found that there is a widespread lack of knowledge about research centers. One of the questions required citing all those known, and although 30 were named, not all of them were correct. The most mentioned was mentioned by only 31% of respondents.

In relation to the university programs of study that must be completed to be able to work in research, the careers that are most linked to this employment opportunity are Biology, Medicine, Chemistry, Physics and Biochemistry , all of them highlighted by more than 75% of those surveyed, both parents and young people. In relation to Engineering, only 20% of young people link them to research, reaching 51.3% in the case of parents.

Diario Vasco' interview with the authors of the research

Interview with Professor Mikel Arcelus on 98.3 Radio: