Hungarian academics condemn choice of research boss

Researchers have voiced disquiet over the man the Hungarian government has appointed to run a network of research centres it took over in a controversial move earlier this year.

Multiple academics spoken to by Research Professional News say that Miklós Maróth’s close ties to prime minister Viktor Orbán, as well as his past statements on migrants, raise serious questions over his suitability for the role.

The Hungarian government came under fire earlier this year for its decision to take control of a network of research centres that was previously managed by the country’s Academy of Sciences. Critics say the move effectively puts the nation’s science under government control, although the government has said it “won’t tell the academy what to research or how, but the new management structure will set priorities”.