Sandwiched between Russia and the rest of Scandinavia, Finland and its scientists often feel isolated from the scientific mainstream. That could soon change. On 1 April, the Academy of Finland will get a new research director whose top priority is to forge stronger ties with the world's scientific community.
Finland is no science lightweight: It spends a higher percentage of its gross domestic product on R&D--3.1%--than any other country, amounting to $3.5 billion in 1999. But many fields "could clearly benefit" from more international collaboration, says physicist Mikko Paalanen of Helsinki Technical University, who praises the appointment of agricultural scientist Anneli Pauli to a 5-year term as research director. "Internationally coordinated research will add a new dimension" to Finnish science, says Pauli, who also plans to add up to 12 institutes to a "Centers of Excellence" program that now provides extra funds for 26 centers deemed globally competitive.
