and Development, from the Individual Researcher to research Empires

Abstract

This paper is dated: it was written at the time of the celebration of the 20 years of activity of the Évora Geophysics Centre (CGE). It comprises a brief appraisal of the evolution of scientific research in Europe and in the United States of America, together with a special reference to the development of the Portuguese scientific system. The size distribution of scientific teams in the whole system is addressed, and it is shown that at a state of optimal performance there is room for all team sizes ranging from the individual investigator to research empires. Similarly, we note that research dynamics evolve in time with periods of strong creation intensity that alternate with periods of extension and quiescence. We also note that the new perspectives for the European Research Area, with policies that push strongly to the development side, may be risky in the long term as they might lessen creation, which is the base for sustainability and development. Finally, we briefly address the challenges ahead both for the Portuguese scientific system and the CGE.