British Academy letter to the Hungarian Minister for Innovation and Technology

Alongside the Royal Society, the British Academy has written to the Hungarian Minister for Innovation and Technology regarding the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Dear Professor Palkovics,

Following the resolution of the Presidium of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences of 15 June 2018, the open letter of ALLEA, and the statement of the partners of the Visegrad Group Academies Forum, referring to the proposed amendment of the Law on the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Law on the State Budget of Hungary for 2019, we are concerned the proposed changes would compromise the Hungarian Academy of Sciences’ academic freedom and independence.

In particular, we believe that these proposed changes will reduce the ability of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences to set research agendas based on research excellence criteria and to support fundamental research. We support the calls for concerted discussion and open consultation with all interested parties within Hungary with a view to maintaining the independence and research integrity of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. We call upon the Hungarian government to withdraw the proposed changes and instead to strengthen the role of the Hungarian Academy of Science as an invaluable international partner.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Ash Amin CBE FBA
Foreign Secretary & Vice-President

Professor Richard Catlow FRS
Vice-President & Foreign Secretary