History

At the end of the 1980s, on the initiative of minister Hubert Curien, France equipped itself with a new tool to better understand and steer its science policy: the Science and Technology Observatory (OST).

The founding members

Established by decree of 28 March 1990, the OST brought together eleven founding members: 

  • the Minister for Research and Technology;
  • the Minister for Defence (DRET);
  • the Minister for the Economy and Finance (Insee);
  • the Minister for Industry, Posts, Telecommunications and Space (CNET);
  • the Minister for Industry and Regional Planning;
  • the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS);
  • the Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES);
  • the Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique (CEA);
  • the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm);
  • the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (Inra);
  • the Association Nationale pour la Recherche Technique (ANRT). 

Rémi Barré was appointed Director and Pierre Papon Chairman of the Board of Directors. 

Early work

In 1992, the OST published its first report on science and technology indicators, which was subsequently published every two years until 2010. 
In addition to this biennial report, the OST publishes:

  • indicators for monitoring performance and the strategic analysis of public policy (with support on their use);
  • institutional and regional studies on various research themes or sectors;
  • papers and factsheets on Research & Development systems abroad (China, India, Russia, Mexico, etc.). 

Initially set up for six years, the Science and Technology Observatory (OST) was renewed in 1996, then in 2002, and is now a fixture of the French scientific landscape. 
 

Joining Hcéres 

Over the years, the OST has adapted and broadened the scope of its analysis to include not only the quantitative aspects of science and technology but also their socio-economic implications (the impact of science and technology on society, the economy, and even on public policy).

In 2015, it joined the Haut Conseil de l'évaluation de la recherche et de l'enseignement supérieur (Hcéres) and was given new responsibilities, including carrying out analyses in support of Hcéres evaluations.