Professor Willie Donnelly:

I would agree with that about giving some clarity to our young researchers on how their career will develop. We also have to broaden the discussion and debate. Research and innovation permeate all parts of society. There are exciting roles and jobs that are not in academia. Academia needs a certain degree of turnover and churn because it is a training ground for many people, including postgraduates and post-doctoral researchers. It needs a flow of new ideas. It is a global economy and system and we need to bring in new ideas and new people. I agree with Dr. Keating that it is about clarity and the needed supports are available to people in the system. It is also about opening the debate about the opportunities that exist for young researchers, not only in academia but in industry, the Civil Service, policy development and so on. That is where we need these brains. We do not want them all locked behind the walls of the university. They need to be in society, making a contribution to society. Clarity on the opportunities is fundamental.