Call to the Scientific Community on Both Banks of the Prut For Promoting Quality, Integrity and Responsibility in Scientific Research In an age when science is called upon to provide answers to major challenges facing society — from public health, food an

In an age when science is called upon to provide answers to major challenges facing society — from public health, food and energy security to climate change, artificial intelligence and disinformation — the responsibility of the academic community is greater than ever.

The Romanian Academy and the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, together with personalities of world science close to our academic space, address researchers, professors, doctoral supervisors, young scientists, universities, research institutes and decision-makers on both banks of the Prut with a call to reaffirm a fundamental principle: the value of scientific research is not measured by the number of publications, but by their quality, originality, rigour, integrity and real impact on knowledge and society.

In recent decades, the pressure for rapid publication and for the accumulation of quantitative indicators has generated, in many academic systems, a worrying shift in emphasis: from discovery to reporting, from substance to appearance, from the value of ideas to the counting of articles. In some cases, evaluation mechanisms have encouraged not deep and responsible research, but the artificial multiplication of scientific output.

This trend risks undermining public trust in science, weakening academic standards and discouraging authentic, difficult and long-term research, which does not always produce immediate results, but which lies at the foundation of major discoveries.

We believe that the time has come for a change of paradigm. The Romanian scientific community, in the broad sense, has the duty to promote a culture of quality, not quantity; of integrity, not appearance; of real excellence, not statistical performance.

We call upon researchers on both banks of the Prut: (a) to give priority to rigorous scientific publications, validated through demanding and honest peer review; (b) to avoid editorial practices that turn scientific publishing into a mere commercial service; (c) to refrain from confusing numerical visibility with authentic scientific value; (d) to support journals, publishers and academic platforms that observe high standards of ethics, transparency and evaluation; (e) to promote interdisciplinary, original research that is relevant to society; (i) to train young researchers in the spirit of responsibility, methodological rigour and respect for truth; (h) to defend freedom of research and the dignity of the scientific profession.

At the same time, we address a call to higher education institutions, research institutes, funding agencies and evaluation bodies in Romania and the Republic of Moldova to revise the criteria for academic promotion, funding and recognition, placing emphasis on quality, original contribution, real scientific impact, integrity and social relevance, rather than on the mere accumulation of publications.

Research assessment must be comprehensive, balanced and responsible. It must take into account the nature of the scientific field, the value of ideas, methodological soundness, contribution to the training of young people, authentic international collaborations and the impact on the development of society.

Science cannot be reduced to numbers. Bibliometric indicators may be useful tools, but they cannot replace academic judgment, qualitative evaluation and the responsibility of the scientific community. Where quantity becomes an end in itself, quality is placed at risk. Where the speed of publication replaces rigour, the very credibility of science is affected.

In the face of these risks, we call upon the scientific community on both banks of the Prut to reaffirm the dignity of authentic research. Let us cultivate fewer, but more solid, publications. Let us value ideas that open new paths, not merely articles that complete statistics. Let us support excellence that stands the test of time, not the fleeting success of rankings.

Science needs freedom, but also responsibility. It needs openness, but also discernment. It needs free access to knowledge, but also mechanisms that protect quality, ethics and truth.

The Romanian Academy and the Academy of Sciences of Moldova express their commitment to jointly promoting an academic culture based on excellence, integrity and responsibility. The future of research in our common space depends on the courage to state clearly that true scientific performance is measured not in volume, but in value.

We address this call to the scientists on both banks of the Prut with confidence that, through lucidity, academic solidarity and respect for truth, we can consolidate a Romanian scientific space that is dignified, credible and competitive at European and global levels.

Let us promote quality before quantity.

Let us defend integrity before appearance.

Let us place true science at the service of knowledge, education, human dignity and our common future.

Acad. Marius ANDRUH
President of the Romanian Academy

Acad. Ion TIGHINEANU
President of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova

Prof. Randy W. SCHEKMAN
Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine
Honorary Member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova