Times Higher Education, in cooperation with the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, has conducted a survey among early-career researchers and future leaders on some of the most pressing questions for higher education, academia and the research sector in 2022.

More than 400 former participants from the last 10 years have answered a wide array of questions on what it takes to be a successful researcher in 2022. These contributing Lindau Alumni commented on questions ranging from meritocracy and institutional factors to effects of the pandemic. Lindau Alumni from all disciplines contributed to the survey, including researchers in chemistry (42%), physics (21%), physiology or medicine (19%) and economic sciences (7%).

Some key insights from the survey:

• A full 96% of respondents agree that mentoring is an important factor for research success, however only 56% of respondents agree that they are provided the level of mentoring needed to be successful.
• 88% of respondents agree that international networks have had a crucial impact on their research and career, only 3% disagree. Respondents also comment on the challenges that come with international mobility.
• 82% agree that a culture of overwork has negatively affected their work-life balance, only 4% disagree with the statement.
• 63% of respondents are concerned with their job security, and agreement is unsurprisingly highest among those on insecure contracts. Only 25% of alumni working in the private sector are concerned about job security.
• Only 11% state that they prefer online conferences to in-person events, with agreement lowest at more senior career levels.
• 43% of respondents disagree with the claim that academic institutions support pursuing an academic career while having family- or childcare-related obligations, while only 25% agree. Agreement is stronger among men (30%) than among women (18%)

Extensive analysis of the 2022 THE/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings Research Success Survey is published by Times Higher Education. The publication coincides with the THE World Academic Summit 2022 in New York (10-12 October 2022).

The 2022 Research Success Survey is conducted five years after a THE/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings collaborative survey of Nobel Laureates on the biggest issues facing science, education and society in 2017.

About the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings

Since their foundation in 1951 the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings have developed into a unique international scientific forum. The annual Meetings provide an oppoThe theme of the Lindau Meetings alternates between the three Nobel Prize scientific disciplines, Physics, Chemistry or Physiology and Medicine. Every five years an interdisciplinary Meeting takes place, while the Lindau Meeting on Economic Sciences is held every three years. Through the medium of various declarations (2020 for Open Science, 2015 on Climate Change, 1955 Against the Use of Nuclear Weapons) the scientists have repeatedly joined in the public debate with political appeals.

It was the Lindau physicians Franz Karl Hein and Gustav Wilhelm Parade who approached Count Lennart Bernadotte af Wisborg with the idea of a conference of Nobel Laureates and proceeded to jointly implement this with him – since 1953 with the participation of young scientists. Some 35,000 students, PhD candidates and post-docs have since taken part. Their experience of the meeting may be literally once-in-a-lifetime, but they remain permanent members of the Lindau Alumni Network and ambassadors for scientific dialogue.

All year long the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings continue to pursue their “Mission Education” aimed at emphasising the importance of science and advocating science and research. This is also the purpose for which the Lindau Mediatheque is being developed into a learning platform which includes teaching materials for schools.

Contact Communications

Wolfgang Haaß
08382 / 27731-26

wolfgang.haass@lindau-nobel.org