Investment needed for Australian science

The Australian Academy of Science welcomes the release of the first data assessing Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

The Australian Research Council has collected data on 157 disciplines across all Australian universities and has found that many reach the highest standard when measured against the best international benchmarks.

Professor Bob Williamson, the Secretary for Science Policy, said that the results confirm the experience of Fellows of the Academy. "Australian scientists make major research contributions at the same level as the best in other countries around the world. The relatively small size of our science community does not diminish the quality or value of Australian research."

The academy notes some very interesting findings from the assessment. In general terms, Australia does well in fields such as medical and health sciences (particularly research in immunology, cardiovascular, oncology, pharmacology and human movement), physics (including astronomy, optical and quantum physics), geology, biological sciences, electrical engineering, and chemistry (especially macromolecular, materials, physical and structural).

These are precisely the fields where there has been substantial and continuous government investment in research over the last 30 years. In some cases, such as medical research, the commitment has been to people and projects, while in others, such as astronomy, it has been to people and major infrastructure.

As a result of inconsistent research investment, such as in the area of animal and plant genomics over the past decade, the Australian contribution to world science has been limited.

"The ERA data confirms what the academy has long argued: Australian researchers produce world-class science where consistent support has provided the resources that allow our scientists to work over several years at the cutting edge," said Professor Williamson.

The ERA data will be used to help determine the levels of research funding for universities, in combination with information on numbers of postgraduate students and whether universities have reached the clearly defined outcomes agreed in their compacts with the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science and Research.

"Minister Carr has shown a strong commitment to scientific research and the ERA results provide the examples he needs to argue strongly for increases in Australia’s research expenditure in the next budget."

Research will only prosper if well-trained individuals are educated to a high standard in science through their primary, secondary and tertiary education.

"We must be open to new talent from abroad. Our Australian scientists often work abroad for a period of years, and we should welcome scientists from other countries who want to spend time in Australia," noted Professor Williamson.

"However, we also must make sure that our own young people are scientifically literate and well trained. Every Australian should know enough science to assess key issues such as global warming and stem cell research. This is why the Academy of Science, and other bodies such as the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, have been arguing for much more public support for maths and science education in our primary and secondary schools."