Report sounds alarm over demands on academic time

Some Swedish researchers have only a few hours a week to spare for research, according to a report, leading to fears that “the system is cracking”.

The report, No Time for Research, was published on 25 September by Sulf, the Swedish union for university teachers and researchers. It said that on average Swedish researchers dedicate less than 40 per cent of their working hours to research endeavours, with some saying they can devote no time at all.

“This problem is so radical that it risks deteriorating the quality of Swedish research and education,” Sulf warned.