Experts react to Australia’s national science statement

The Federal Government has released a “National Science Statement”  underpinned by five National Science and Research Priorities which call for transitioning to a net zero future, supporting healthy and thriving communities, elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems, protecting and restoring Australia’s environment and building a secure and resilient nation.

Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, an ARC Laureate Fellow and the Founding Director of SMaRT Centre at UNSW, notes that “The UNSW SMaRT Centre emphasised in its submission for the need to use waste as a resource in future capability building, and is very pleased the first priority of transitioning to a net zero future includes the statement that ‘Australia will transition to a circular economy, turning waste into opportunity’.

It is essential we strive to develop a circular economy – or many localised circular economies – in which we keep materials in use for as long as possible and use these recovered materials to establish new business supply chains, in order to better ensure we use “waste as a resource” to build the components and infrastructure needed to electrify our communities. Such an approach would help to create new jobs, along with other economic, social and environmental benefits.

In order to accelerate the energy transition and translation of R&D in support of each of the priorities, we also need to enable piloting and demonstration of technologies, some of which are emerging – like our UNSW SMaRT Centre MICROfactorieTM Technology solutions – to reform much of the valuable materials contained in many of the “hard to recycle” waste types not subject to traditional waste and recycling processes, such as electronic waste (e-waste), and battery and PV wastes, into new products and manufacturing feedstock needed to create a truly viable, long term and sustainable clean energy industry.

This approach would drive local and regional solutions for hi-tech waste recycling and manufacturing, especially in capturing metals and other essential materials from waste, reforming them into high value materials to help obviate the need for mining, transportation and processing of natural resources which collectively create negative environmental, economic and social impacts.”

Karen Livesey, an Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Newcastle, Australia, was “excited that the first of five imperatives in the Science Statement concerned Australian scientists and infrastructure. However, reading the first imperative left me cold. Instead of laying out a way to support current scientists who are struggling under high workloads and underfunding, this imperative stated the current achievements of Australian science. It appears from the statement that universities and large facilities like ANSTO will be business as usual toward 2034, since they are already performing above world standards. Hidden from this statement is our low and decreasing spend of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on research compared to other developed nations.

Some of the low spend of GDP is due to a relatively weak investment by Australian industry in research. This is the topic of the second imperative in the statement, which is far stronger and forward-looking. Industry is undoubtably important. But collaborations between research and industry are difficult without financial support of current scientists. We don’t want to be ‘celebrated’, as laid out in the third imperative. We want to be funded to do our jobs and create new knowledge for the nation.”

Professor Karin Verspoor, Dean of the School of Computing Technologies at RMIT University, argues that “Cross-disciplinary approaches are desperately needed in science; bringing different expertise and perspectives together is critical for creative solutions to our toughest challenges, and industry collaboration is critical to deliver real-world benefits. However, it can be hard to make this work in practice. We need to deeply consider how to align incentives to encourage effective multi-stakeholder commitment to common goals.

Broadening participation in STEM through targeted actions to remove barriers to entry is imperative to ensure a healthy and robust innovation ecosystem. Along the way we also must invest in supporting students and workers from underrepresented groups to be successful in these careers; it is not enough to get them in the door, we must create the conditions for them to thrive.

I welcome specialist research infrastructure in the domain of Artificial Intelligence. This will address two key factors: the need for computational resources at a scale beyond the capacity of an individual university or research organisation, and the ability to maintain sovereignty over models and systems for our highest-consequence applications such as in health and defence. The opportunities for AI to positively impact our lives are tremendous. We need to ensure our data and compute infrastructure is ready to support the national demand for experimentation and validation of the myriad applications that are emerging.”

Ryan Winn, the Chief Executive Officer at Science and Technology Australia, said his organisation “warmly welcomes the Government’s National Science and Research Priorities and Science Statement, particularly the strong focus on elevating and investing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and knowledge systems.

The way science is undertaken is shifting towards greater collaboration across disciplines. Australia can lead the way through brave and bold science and research priorities.

Science must be central to policy decision-making and future economic investments. Australia has key strengths we must double down on, and others we need to invest in that are strategically important to the country.

These two documents can help us lay the foundation for a smart roadmap for Australian science and research – to be the innovative, prosperous country we want and need to be.”

Kylie Walker, the CEO of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, also welcomed the release of Australia’s National Science and Research Priorities “as an authoritative vision for research and evidence driving Australia’s future.

Importantly, the Statement focuses on building up the foundational elements of a thriving science, research and development ecosystem through investment in evidence-informed policy, infrastructure, workforce development, teaching, science agencies and global engagement.

ATSE is pleased to see that the priorities have a strong focus on transitioning to a net zero future, making this a stand-alone priority, with developing a circular economy an integral part of reaching that goal.

The five priorities – spanning climate, environment, Traditional Knowledge, our communities and our nation – speak eloquently to the key research challenges and opportunities of our time.

The importance of these priorities underscores the need to lift Australia’s ambition and capability through deeper investment in research and development (R&D), to be explored through the imminent Independent Review of R&D.”

Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC, the President of the Australian Academy of Science, said “The release of the National Science Statement and the National Science and Research Priorities that support it signal an important first step to focus and scale Australia’s science and research activity, which is needed to meet our national and global challenges.

The Academy applauds the Australian Government on having the discipline to identify science and research priorities. However, they will be ineffective without an implementation plan to drive action across government portfolios, industry and the research sector.

Previous science and research priorities were ineffective because they lacked implementation, monitoring and evaluation and therefore did little to focus and scale up science and research in the identified areas.

Both documents clearly illustrate the critical underpinning role science and research play to our economy, wellbeing, job creation and national security and to the success of the Future Made in Australia policy.

It’s imperative that the priorities are backed by a robust implementation plan that clarifies how ministers across governments, and the industry and research sectors can use the levers available to them to turn words into action.

If the government is serious about implementing its core industrial policy—Future Made in Australia—it will be serious about implementing the National Science and Research Priorities.

When supported with investment, the National Science and Research Priorities can drive scientific and technological progress at the scale we need to meet our national and global challenges.

Australia needs urgently to transition its economy to make it more complex and resilient to external shocks.

This requires us to prioritise those activities only Australia can perform and those that we must perform to have a seat at the global decision-making table.”

Associate Professor Jeremy Brownlie, a Geneticist in Griffith University’s School of Environment and Science, and a member of the Prime Minister’s National Science and Technology Council, agreed that “Australia’s future success will be powered by our science, smarts and skills.

The revised National Science and Research priorities have set out an ambitious but necessary roadmap for the nation to create a sustainable future for all, to address the climate and environmental challenges we face today, to support our industries to create new ways of manufacturing or sustainable energy creation and storage.

It sets out clear and ambitious objectives for where we as a country need to be over the next 10 years, with clear markers to Governments, Industry and the research community on the direction and investments we need to take as a nation.

How are these different to previous iterations? For the first time, Australia’s research priorities will formally and systematically recognise indigenous knowledge systems built up over 60,000 years. Indigenous knowledge will intersect will all other priorities, having a separate priority will encourage research into safer respectful ways that indigenous knowledge and intellectual property can be shared, developed and retained. And critically, to give a voice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

There is a stronger focus on restoring our environments.
All priorities intersect with and benefit each other E.g. Renewable energy will help meet the challenges of climate change and help create a more resilient community.”

Professor Ross Young, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at the University of the Sunshine Coast, said “The research priorities are well aligned with the contemporary challenges that Australia faces and offer substantial opportunities to improve quality of life, the environment and the economy, and for universities, industry and Government to work together in a more coordinated and effective way.

The priorities are timely and vital to Australia’s future, and will help us to galvanise and focus our efforts, including those related to priorities for funding.

The focus on First Nations knowledge systems is where we can really show international leadership, as there are unique environmental and cultural strengths as a nation that we can embed more effectively into the lives of all Australians.

The focus on healthy and thriving communities is important to drive a collective focus on how we, as Australians, can work together to lead more health and prosperous lives across the whole lifespan. Ensuring we maximise psychological and physical health is going to be vital considering the challenges of an ageing population.

It’s also vitally important for a nation that has such a unique and diverse set of ecosystems as Australia that the environment is a really urgent priority. It’s great to see that set as a major focus because we don’t have time to lose.

A focus on the future energy system is vital to address challenges around sustainability. We need to mobilise the effective use of technology to drive our global competitiveness and to ensure we dealing as comprehensively with challenges of climate change as possible.”

Professor Lucy Marshall, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Macquarie University, agreed “The new National Science Statement puts forward an ambitious agenda emphasising the need for a diverse, skilled workforce to strengthen Australia’s future in science and technology.

Despite decades of investment in diversifying Australia’s STEM workforce, the industry remains significantly different from the community it represents. Less than one third of the university-qualified STEM workforce consists of women and less than one per cent of First Nations people hold a university qualification in the field, despite the numerous programs, resources and efforts invested in increasing participation of these and other critically underrepresented groups.

A meaningful shift will require a whole-of-sector commitment to creating a strong STEM pipeline through our schools, universities, industry and sector leadership.

Universities must focus on long-term strategies that go beyond short-term recruitment efforts targeting Year 11 and 12 students. It is essential to better incentivise collaboration between higher education, the VET sector and schools, starting much earlier in a student’s academic journey.

By fostering these partnerships from the ground up, we can cultivate interest in STEM from a younger age, ensuring that students are not only aware of the opportunities available but are also equipped and inspired to pursue them as they progress through their education.

Universities play an important role, but encouraging more Australians to study STEM subjects from primary school through to higher education will take a whole-of-community effort, from parents and carers to teachers, school systems and industry partners.”

Dr Chris Hatherly, the CEO of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, said the Academy “welcomes the National Science Statement and the National Science and Research Priorities as a clear signal from the Government on the importance of social science research and expertise for addressing Australia’s biggest societal challenges.

The Statement and the Priorities reflect an increased understanding that science and technology alone cannot address challenges like climate change, public health and threats to democracy. Rather we need a holistic approach that accounts for the many complex ways in which people and societies interact with each other and with the world.

This is clear in the stated outcomes and critical research areas: improved physical and mental wellbeing indicators; healthcare literacy and motivators for behaviour change; transitioning to a more circular economy; cost-effective built environments; and national resilience to the impacts of geopolitical competition. All central questions for the social sciences.

The Priorities are based on principles including responsiveness, relevance, focus and strategic investment, and have a central focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and knowledge. The Academy looks forward to working with Government and other stakeholders to determine and progress the multi-disciplinary research programs that will be required to deliver on this critical agenda.”

Dr Tom Carruthers, the President of Australian Science Communicators, believes that “Science communication, and the myriad of science engagement initiatives and programs that fall under that banner, is crucial for a STEM-engaged future. This is true globally – many international governments and science peak bodies recognise this and overseas there is dedicated investment and prioritisation of engaging and equipping communities to be a part of their science-based-future. Australia is currently missing that benchmark.

While we recognise the inclusion of science communication in the science statement as a valuable step forward, the Australian Science Communicators considers that the Government has missed another opportunity with the national science statement and priorities to be more aspirational and adequately highlight that essential value that science communication and STEM engagement brings to ‘science’. The Government’s vision of a vibrant STEM-fueled future for our nation is not being supported without addressing this gap.

In 2010, the then Labor Government launched the Inspiring Australia strategy – a national strategy and path toward as science engaged and inspired nation. At the time, our nation was starting to recognise that science literacy was not the be-all and end-all of science engagement and was beginning to invest in a STEM-fueled future economy. We need more than just to know how science is being done, or that it is being done well. An engaged population need to be involved in our science research.

I am glad that the Australian Science Communicators had the opportunity to contribute to the development of the priorities. We were invited to join a roundtable with the Chief Scientist, and we provided a written response highlighting what we understood to be shortfalls in draft priorities published last year.”

Professor Ian Li, the Research and Policy Program Director at the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success, said “Ensuring a diverse and skilled STEM workforce is a crucial contributor to Australia’s national interest. This includes a concerted focus on equitable access to STEM education for underrepresented groups, such as students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, regional and remote areas, disabilities, and Indigenous communities. Targeted programs should not only encourage these students to pursue STEM, but also support them throughout their educational and career journeys.

It’s also essential to integrate Indigenous knowledge into mainstream science education. This enriches scientific understanding and shows that Indigenous cultural heritage is valued, which can significantly improve educational outcomes for Indigenous students.

Equitable access to Australia’s national research infrastructure is another key area. Policies must ensure all students and researchers, regardless of their background or institution, have the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge scientific research and technology.

Additionally, mission-led and multidisciplinary science presents opportunities for fairer collaboration. We must ensure equity considerations are embedded in these collaborations so that the benefits of scientific advancements are widely shared, including with marginalised groups.

Finally, creating clear and accessible pathways into STEM careers is vital, especially for students who might not follow traditional routes into higher education. Universities and policy frameworks must establish flexible, supportive educational environments that accommodate diverse learning needs and life circumstances.”