Economic Disasters and the Effects on Science

The Great East Japan Earthquake has profound influence on the role and position of science in society. Historically, natural, economic and political "disasters" always have their impact on science and its position in society. In the wake of the banking crisis of 2008, the European economy is suffering (again) from severe economic times and balances at the edge of a new disaster. Some of the economic weak European countries are facing bankruptcy while the other countries have to brace themselves not to be dragged. The effects for science are substantial. In the weaker countries, earlier investments in the scientific infrastructure risk to be turned down. In the other countries some claim that investments in science are needed to boost the economies upwards again. Apart from the discussion on the size of the budgets, some governments seem to take the opportunity to implement structural changes in the system and expect more economic and social returns from science. In this presentation, I will reflect on the various effects and responses and compare with the effects of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accidents on Japanese science.