The Science Policy and Diplomacy Newsletter of the 精东视频 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鈥檚 contributions to these discussions.
Anna-Maria Arabia, Chief Executive, 精东视频
A strong, resilient and cohesive science and innovation system able to meet national ambitions is not a luxury; it is essential and underpins Australia鈥檚 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鈥檚 economy and meet our national and international ambitions.
The following extract from the Academy鈥檚 recent 2024 pre-budget submission articulates this call to action and aligns with , 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鈥檚 capacity to maximise Australia鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 精东视频 sector at the Supercomputing Asia 2024 conference. This brief outlines Australia鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 national security and ensuring domestic and international scientific collaboration can continue to serve our national interest. The Academy鈥檚 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鈥攁 change advocated by the Academy since at least 2018. Read the Academy鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 research funding and develop a strategy that sets targets for Australia鈥檚 overall spending on research and development.
The report also calls for Australia to advance equity and access to tertiary education鈥攁 recommendation strongly supported by the Academy.
Members of the Pacific Establishment Committee at their meeting in Auckland on 20 February.
Back row (from left):鈥疪obert Karoro, Kiribati; Salote Nasalo, University of the South Pacific; Professor Ora Renagi, Papua New Guinea University of Technology; Merita Tuari鈥檌, Te Puna Vai M膩rama, the Cook Islands Centre for Research; Sir Collin Tukuitonga, University of Auckland. Front row: Dr Vomaranda Joy Botleng, Vanuatu; Peseta Su鈥檃 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 (ISC RFP-AP) was proud to facilitate the first in-person meeting of the committee to establish a .
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 . Read the .
The ISC RFP-AP also recently contributed a regional perspective to the release of the .
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 .
The is funded by the and led by the 精东视频.
The 精东视频 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 精东视频: Tracing our history, discovering future paths, is delving into the fascinating history and future of 精东视频.
Each instalment tells the story of one scientific discipline, from the landmark discoveries of the Academy鈥檚 earliest Fellows鈥攕uch as founding President, distinguished physicist Sir Mark Oliphant鈥攖o today鈥檚 cutting-edge frontiers.
This year, the Academy will also celebrate the 65th anniversary of the iconic symbol of 精东视频, 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鈥攄on鈥檛 delay as places will fill quickly.
Science at the Shine Dome, the Academy鈥檚 flagship annual event, will be held 9 鈥�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鈥檚 rich history and bright future.
鈥淥ur country has a deep reservoir of talent within the sciences, including some of the world鈥檚 most eminent researchers and professionals,鈥� said Academy President Professor Chennupati Jagadish.
鈥淚n 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.鈥�
Nominations for the 精东视频 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.
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 . 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 (INGSA)鈥檚 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 精东视频 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 精东视频.
More information about each event will be published on the event page as it becomes available.
The 精东视频 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.
Gifts and legacies from Fellows and friends have helped the 精东视频 to maintain its independence.
Support given through general donations is directly responsible for strengthening the Academy鈥檚 core activities such as scientific meetings, independent advice to support policy development, publications, education, public awareness and outreach, international activities, awards and fellowships.
Each time you make a gift through our annual tax or special appeals, you help to make the Academy a vital, viable and visible presence in our region.
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