The Science Policy and Diplomacy Newsletter of the Australian Academy of Science highlights important science policy discussions and events in Australia and around the globe. We report on the involvement of science in national and international policy and diplomacy, and the Academy’s contributions to these discussions.
Anna-Maria Arabia, Chief Executive, Australian Academy of Science
A strong, resilient and cohesive science and innovation system able to meet national ambitions is not a luxury; it is essential and underpins Australia’s prosperous, secure and sustainable future.
Our ability to decarbonise the economy, manufacture onshore, consolidate our national security, grow new industries to diversify our economy and make us less vulnerable to external shocks, all depend on a coherent and intentional science and innovation system. When it comes to addressing global challenges, science can and must play a much stronger role in informing solutions to achieve sustainability.
Nationally and in our global engagements, we need to move from a focus on strictly technical elements to multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to develop knowledge and solutions.
Why? Because the challenges we face during these post-normal times cannot be resolved with existing tools and practices. They demand new modes of thinking and new ways of doing things, including bringing communities, policy-makers and science together to meet societal needs. Despite the clear need for a strategic and integrated approach to science and innovation, investment in R&D in Australia has been declining for 14 years and the limited funds invested are spread across 14 portfolios and 176 programs.
The Academy continues to call for a holistic assessment of the science and research system in view of bringing strategy, coherence and efficiencies.
Such an assessment is a prerequisite for the development of a 10-year investment roadmap to reverse the investment decline and to position R&D to power Australia’s economy and meet our national and international ambitions.
The following extract from the Academy’s recent 2024 pre-budget submission articulates this call to action and aligns with recommendation 24 in the Universities Accord, which we strongly urge the Australian Government to implement.
That the Australian Government commission a formal strategic, cross-portfolio examination of national research funding with a view to increasing Australia’s capacity to maximise Australia’s R&D competitiveness for economic gain, and environmental, cultural and social good. As part of this, the Australian Government develop a multi-agency government strategy that sets medium and long-term targets for Australia’s overall national spending on R&D as a percentage of GDP, requiring a significant increase to ensure Australia fully utilises the potential of its research sector and, consequently, competes more effectively in the global knowledge economy. As a starting point, this work needs to note that while university investment in research has been strong over the last 25 years, additional business and government investment in research is essential. The strategy should also undertake a root and branch consideration of the suitability and sustainability of the national research funding and governance architecture.
I hope you find this edition of the Academy’s Science Policy and Diplomacy newsletter informative.
The Academy brings together leading Australian experts to consider and advise the nation on scientific issues, providing authoritative information and advice on current science, technology and emerging research to inform discussion and assist in evidence-based policy development and decision-making.
The Academy released a brief titled The future computing needs of the Australian science sector at the Supercomputing Asia 2024 conference. This brief outlines Australia’s current computing capability landscape, highlighting the lack of a national strategy to acquire and maintain state-of-the-art high-performance computing and data (HPCD) in Australia.
The Academy calls for a national strategy backed by at least one exascale capability to secure Australia’s sovereign capability and enable science and research to meet national and regional priorities.
Ad-hoc interventions, various departmental initiatives and overlapping state and Commonwealth priorities have led to an R&D system spread over 176 programs and 14 federal portfolios, with multiple ministers and departments having key responsibilities.
Australia’s falling productivity is partly caused by under-investment in and the under-utilisation of science and research.
In its pre-budget submission, the Academy recommends that the Australian Government commissions a review of the Australian R&D system to create a roadmap to secure Australia’s economic future through the strategic development of scientific capacity and capability.
After months of sustained advocacy by the Academy, the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Bill was amended to protect science. The proposed changes strike a better balance between protecting Australia’s national security and ensuring domestic and international scientific collaboration can continue to serve our national interest. The Academy’s February submission to the inquiry into the bill strongly urged that Parliament legislate an exemption for fundamental research, mitigate impacts on international scientific collaboration, and ensure genuine debate and discussion of its implications for the Australian research sector.
The Academy welcomes the passage of the Australian Research Council Amendment (Review Response) Bill 2023 by Parliament. The reforms will support a more robust and research-oriented system for the nation, particularly by limiting the use of the ministerial veto—a change advocated by the Academy since at least 2018. Read the Academy’s January submission to the bill.
The Academy also notes there are opportunities to enhance the bill, including strengthening the role the ARC has in providing expert advice on research to the Australian Government.
The Academy urges that the new legislation should focus on safeguarding Australia’s unique and evolutionarily significant biodiversity and environment, adding climate change considerations at every level and incorporating scientific expertise in decision-making processes.
The Universities Accord Final report contains 47 recommendations that aim to provide long-term reform of the tertiary education system in Australia.
The Academy welcomes the recommendations that the Australian Government should commission a cross-portfolio examination of Australia’s research funding and develop a strategy that sets targets for Australia’s overall spending on research and development.
The report also calls for Australia to advance equity and access to tertiary education—a recommendation strongly supported by the Academy.
Members of the Pacific Establishment Committee at their meeting in Auckland on 20 February.
Back row (from left): Robert Karoro, Kiribati; Salote Nasalo, University of the South Pacific; Professor Ora Renagi, Papua New Guinea University of Technology; Merita Tuari’i, Te Puna Vai Mārama, the Cook Islands Centre for Research; Sir Collin Tukuitonga, University of Auckland. Front row: Dr Vomaranda Joy Botleng, Vanuatu; Peseta Su’a Dr Desmond Mene Lee Hang, National University of Samoa; Dr Eric Katovai, Solomon Islands National University; Professor Sushil Kumar, University of the South Pacific, Fiji. Credit: SAVS Photography.
The International Science (ISC) Council’s Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific (ISC RFP-AP) was proud to facilitate the first in-person meeting of the committee to establish a Pacific Islands Academy of Sciences and Humanities.
The meeting in Auckland, New Zealand (pictured) reached agreement the Academy is to be based in Samoa, with the aim to launch in time for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October. Listen to the interview on ABC Pacific here. Read the opinion piece.
The ISC RFP-AP also recently contributed a regional perspective to the release of the ISC report on Protecting Science in Times of Crisis.
Anyone interested in the work of the ISC and the RFP is invited to register for the regional update meeting on 13 March. More details here.
The International Science Council Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific is funded by the Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources and led by the Australian Academy of Science.
The Australian Academy of Science turned 70 on 16 February 2024 and will celebrate its 70th anniversary across 2024, with a full calendar of events to mark seven decades of scientific excellence.
Across the year, a six-part public speaker series, titled The journey of Australian science: Tracing our history, discovering future paths, is delving into the fascinating history and future of Australian science.
Each instalment tells the story of one scientific discipline, from the landmark discoveries of the Academy’s earliest Fellows—such as founding President, distinguished physicist Sir Mark Oliphant—to today’s cutting-edge frontiers.
This year, the Academy will also celebrate the 65th anniversary of the iconic symbol of Australian science, the Shine Dome.
The heritage-listed building, which is home to the Academy, will be open to the public for guided tours and other exciting events on 27 April. Booking is required—don’t delay as places will fill quickly.
Science at the Shine Dome, the Academy’s flagship annual event, will be held 9 –12 September.
The event will feature the admission of distinguished Fellows elected to the Academy in 2023 and 2024 and offer an occasion to reflect on the Academy’s rich history and bright future.
“Our country has a deep reservoir of talent within the sciences, including some of the world’s most eminent researchers and professionals,” said Academy President Professor Chennupati Jagadish.
“In our 70th year, the Academy will deliver a rich program of events, profiling our most distinguished and emerging scientists, champions, and organisations who contribute to science every day.”
Nominations for the Australian Academy of Science awards and funding opportunities are now open. Nominate for our honorific awards to recognise outstanding contributions to the advancement of science at the early, mid and career levels. We also offer opportunities to support scientists in undertaking research projects and travel and lectures at a national and international level.
Future Earth Australia held its third collaboration lab on Friday 1 March at Griffith University, Gold Coast. FEA convened 19 early career researchers and professionals (ECRPs) to discuss transdisciplinary approaches to Sustainable Oceans and Coasts. Participants will now co-author a paper centred on knowledge sharing, including data access and equity, Indigenous knowledges, and the importance of knowledge brokers to achieve this.
The participants were from Griffith University, the University of Sunshine Coast, Monash University, the Centre for Marine Socioecology, Blue Carbon CRC, DCCEEW Sustainable Oceans Plan Taskforce, Noosa and Gold Coast councils, CSIRO, University of Tasmania and the University of Sydney.
The International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA)’s fifth international conference focuses on the emerging theories and evolving practices of inclusion and diversity in the realm of science advice provided to governments. The conference will delve into questions surrounding the development, objectives and reception of a more interconnected and inclusive approach to science advice.
Join the Australian Academy of Science in our 70th anniversary year for a look at our history and into our future, at our 2024 public speaker series.
In each instalment, we will follow the story of one scientific discipline, with an Academy Fellow and an early-career researcher as our expert guides. Across geology, virology, astronomy and more, we will trace history from landmark discoveries to the present cutting edge of Australian science.
More information about each event will be published on the event page as it becomes available.
The Australian Academy of Science occasionally partners with Australian Government departments and other science and research organisations to produce independent research reports and science advice and facilitate international science linkages on their behalf. If you are interested in working with the Academy, please contact us.
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© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
