Research Culture: Openness in every respect

International, interdisciplinary, and with a sustainable impact is how the research culture in Luxembourg can be summed up. As a still young, yet established research location, we defy traditional boundaries of any kind – and instead focus on openness in every respect. The result is individual freedom for research excellence from all over the world, enabling us to promote research in Luxembourg faster further together.

Luxembourg’s research culture stands out thanks to pioneering actions.

Narrative CVs – Researchers are more than just papers and grants

Narrative CVs for researchers piloted by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) in evaluation is one of the examples of pioneering action. With a narrative CV, more attention is paid to a researcher’s skills and abilities rather than to a chronological list of publications. This approach gives people credit where due and thus the opportunity to access different types of careers, and to describe the experiences and skills they have developed as well as the achievements they are most proud of. These CVs can be tailored to each proposal, highlighting the specific accomplishments that are most applicable for the project. The new format includes career breaks, contribution to knowledge, to the professional development of other researchers, to the research community and to society in general, and a personal statement.

“The idea is to allow researchers to have a broader range of outputs (beyond grants and papers) recognised, and to provide context for evaluation criteria for our evaluators.”

Sean Sapcariu, a Programme Manager at the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR)

Open Access – Opening science to the largest

Open Access is essential to accelerate academic innovation processes while improving the visibility of research results. The Bibliothèque Nationale du Luxembourg, the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), as well as the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) strengthened their commitment to Open Access, reaching a publishing agreement with open access publisher Frontiers. The aim is to help streamline and simplify operations for eligible authors.

Mentoring – creating an enabling environment

Mentoring experiences can be personally transformative. Good mentorship goes beyond professional development, shaping individual scientists, impacting on scientific careers, as well as passing along positive research values such as research integrity, scientific credibility and fostering a diverse and inclusive research environment.

Overall, it provides aspects of psychosocial and career support, and may include role modelling, counselling, and helping mentees develop a support network of other mentors and peers. A mentor does not only guide and help people grow – they also teach them how to be a good mentor. If a researcher has the benefit of a great mentor, chances are they will pass on many of the good approaches you learned.

Through its Charter, Research Luxembourg’s institutions want to help mentors and mentees, but also supervisors and evaluators, by providing guidelines for the foundation of good mentorship that should serve as of best practice in the Luxembourgish research ecosystem.

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