CNRS reform will boost strategic advice

The administrative council of France's Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) is likely to recommend that there should be a wide-reaching regrouping of the around 40 sections that make up the organization's national committee where this is necessary to give a wider view of strategic matters. Some observers feel that conflict over the number of sections has deflected attention from the more urgent issue of establishing the committee's role in determining scientific strategy. The power of individual sections may also be reduced by reorganizing the councils that advise the seven CNRS departments.