Young Scientists' Association head: society should know researchers are not naive idealists

Oskars Teikmanis, chairman of the board of the Latvian Association of Young Scientists and a researcher in robotics and machine learning at the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science, appeared on the Latvian Radio programme "Monopols" to discuss common perceptions of the scientific community.

Teikmanis addressed the widespread stereotype that scientists are naive idealists who live in a world of abstract ideas, disconnected from the everyday reality faced by ordinary people. According to him, this view does not hold up.

Instead, he said, scientists in many countries today face very concrete and practical challenges, including restrictions on academic freedom and outside pressure on their work. This shows that researchers are far from isolated from society and the political processes that affect it.

For this reason, Teikmanis argued, there needs to be more public discussion emphasizing that scientists are not naive people detached from reality, but professionals who work in the interest of society. He suggested that a lack of understanding about the real situation and role of scientists can undermine public trust in science more broadly.

Teikmanis leads an organisation representing young scientists in Latvia and dealing with issues related to their working conditions and interests. His own research work focuses on robotics and machine learning at the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science.