The Australian Academy of Science welcomes the release of the Australian Government’s National Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy.
National digital research infrastructure (NDRI) is essential for Australia’s research infrastructure ecosystem to be more equitable, accessible and connected.
The strategy recognises the importance of research software as an essential part of the NDRI system.
The Academy welcomes the recognition in the strategy of the role of NDRI to support maintenance and availability of software for research users, and the need for investment in activities and infrastructure for research software development.
The Academy supports the ongoing focus on the FAIR and CARE principles for Indigenous data being included in the future NDRI ecosystem.
Addressing how research funding settings and policies may need to change to cover the costs of compliance by researchers with the FAIR and CARE principles must be a priority as the strategy is implemented.
The strategy highlights the intrinsic value of data in the research ecosystem and identifies the need for a sector-wide data management framework. It also provides an opportunity to embed the UNESCO Open Science Recommendation in full rather than being noted as guidance.
Additional work must be undertaken to articulate a long-term strategy for high-performance computing, which is lacking.
Australia’s current research supercomputers are a powerful asset, but their lifecycle is limited.
The nation must plan now for the next generation of high-performance computing and data infrastructure for research, including exascale capability. Australia needs a national strategy that responds to the escalating needs of research to enable science to meet national priorities and keep pace with global advancements.
Overall, the strategy outlines a strong vision for NDRI in Australia. However, further detail is needed as to how the vision will be realised.
The Academy is committed to contributing science advice to inform the implementation of the NDRI strategy and development of the NDRI investment plan, to strengthen Australia’s scientific capability.
The Academy extends our thanks to the National Research Infrastructure Advisory Group, including Academy Fellows Professor Calum Drummond AO FAA FTSE and Dr Cathy Foley AO FAA FTSE, for their work in delivering this strategy.
Read the Academy submission to the draft National Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy.
Read the Academy document: Future computing needs of the science sector.
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
