Antique Orange Juice Squeezer

University and research, what future? The Voice of the interview Tuesday

is back to talk college newspapers, on the street, inside the television. We speak, more or less well, research funding, reform of universities, researchers 'unavailable'.

The information circulating soprattutto nei telegiornali e nelle trasmissioni cosiddette di approfondimento sono spesso faziose, inevitabilmente restano sulla superficie. Da un lato un ministro della Repubblica Italiana che parla come un disco rotto di merito e di lotta ai baroni (ma il suo cv, sia detto tra parentesi, lascia intendere che non è stato il merito, nell’accezione più alta, a guidarne il cursus honorum), dall’altro ci sono politici che hanno capito con estremo ritardo la rilevanza della questione in gioco (in passato l’università ha rappresentato quasi una zavorra più che l’elemento su cui puntare, per immaginare un futuro meno asfissiante di quello che si può intravedere ora).

I mali dell’università from far away: there is an extensive publications on which the curious reader can retrace (by Raffaele Simone essays to the recent 'The researchers do not grow on trees' Sylos Labini and Zapper). In any case, should not be allowed to talk about education and research to the sound of slogans. This is not to sell detergent, or a pair of shoes, so dear to the Prime Minister. Here we are faced with a case where the remedy seems worse than the disease.

What would the consequences of the bill, if finally approved? Summarizing brutally

• reducing the autonomy of universities through the introduction of external sponsors on the boards;
• radical cuts to public funding of universities (which for years has decreased anyway);
• reduction of turn-over (not all of those who retire will be replaced);
• exasperation of insecurity.

In addition, the issue is not resolved long-standing legal status of researchers, most of which was declared unavailable for teaching. But, mind you, it would be incorrect to say that researchers are on strike, or who are privileged because they have a contract of employment nationally. The alleged privilege it suffers Then when you apply for the municipal nursery: not having a contract defined, the researcher for the hard-working municipal employees do not work. Strike when a category is not fulfilling its contractual obligations, many Italian researchers are simply withdrawing a willingness which for years was free, voluntary, often made out of pure passion.

Who does not look real if the day is red on the calendar, 'researcher' more than a profession is an attitude, a constant challenge to do more and better. Politicians do not like too much to deal with this universe: you prefer the slogan depth, seriousness does not pay nor does win the election, asleep as we are from decades of mediocre television.

Silvia Calamai - researcher