Professor Sandra Harding, the Universities Australia chair and Vice-Chancellor of James Cook University addressed the National Press Club in Canberra today.
Here is a copy of her speech.
In his novel…
It would be a mistake to assume that any private money funding research creates a conflict of interest.
AAP Image/Alan Porritt
The research funding world is not often filled with controversy, but the story of indigenous academic Marcia Langton’s research funding has recently garnered a lot of attention.
Langton, who in her recent…
Adam Bandt celebrating his 2010 election success as the federal member for Melbourne.
Julian Smith/AAP
Adam Bandt is the first Australian Greens MP to win a seat in the House of Representatives at a federal election.
And while the seat of Melbourne, which takes in the inner suburbs and CBD of the nation…
Adam Bandt is the first Australian Greens MP to win a seat in the House of Representatives at a federal election.
Alan Porritt/AAP
Doug Hilton: I’m the director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and I have with me today Adam Bandt, the Greens' member for Melbourne. Why don’t you start by outlining your background…
Mismatches are messing with the future of interdisciplinary research.
matthewreid
Water, food and energy issues are increasingly recognised as key global challenges for the 21st century. Each requires and attracts substantial research attention, and tackling them inevitably requires…
Tony Abbott at a press conference after the prime minister announced the election will be held on September 14.
AAP/Alan Porritt
It was a big day in political circles yesterday, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard announcing an election date and launching her priorities for the nation. Among the hubbub that followed, an important…
An In Conversation between federal coalition MP Andrew Robb and the director of the Waler and Eliza Hall Institute, Doug Hilton.
AAP Image/Alan Porritt
Doug Hilton: Welcome Andrew to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. This conversation between me, Doug Hilton, and Andrew Robb is part of The Conversation.
So Andrew, it’s been really exciting in the…
The research funding system needs to be changed to make it more efficient says coalition member Andrew Robb.
AAP Image/Alan Porritt
It’s hard to argue with the importance of research, particularly medical research. It leads to breakthroughs and can change people’s lives for the better.
But there are some crucial questions about how…
Researchers have invested hundreds of hours to enhance their applications, only to miss out.
Paperwork image from Shutterstock.com
Last Friday, the results for this year’s round of applications for National Health and Medical Research (NHMRC) grants were released. Because headlines focus on success and rankings, universities and medical…
Researchers who have sometimes been waiting years for funding have been left in the lurch by government.
Research image from www.shutterstock.com
The Australian Research Council’s confirmation that all funding awards and rounds are currently frozen has caused major concern, if not panic, in academic circles.
The Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook…
Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans says it’s a “ridiculous proposition” to suggest funding freezes are driving research overseas.
AAP
The Federal Government’s freeze on research grants is damaging investment and recruitment by universities, and is part of a broader trend making funding predictability a thing of the past says Universities…
Industry partnerships can be critical to research outcomes and a country’s productivity.
Flickr/RMTip21
Uncertainty over research funding will cost jobs, hurt productivity and threaten the government’s plans to promote better linkages between industry and research, say sector leaders.
The Australian Research…
Ranking universities is useful for only understanding the bigger picture.
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The release of The Times Higher Education World University Rankings will be welcomed by many people in the Australian university sector.
See the full list of The Times Higher Education World University…
Research should be routinely translated into clinical practice.
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Last year the federal government asked my colleagues and I to investigate the state of health and medical research in Australia and make recommendations about the strategic direction of the sector.
After…
An experienced lab technician is one of the most readily employable people in the R&D-intensive industries.
fungiman_MD
Earlier this year the American journalist David Plotz wrote in Slate that:
America needs a lot more good engineers and scientists, more competent scientists, even more mediocre scientists.
I agree that…
Cuts to the R&D tax incentives for Australian businesses – as proposed by the Business Tax Working Group – have significant implications for our future economic wellbeing.
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The Business Tax Working Group discussion paper’s suggestion to reduce the R&D tax incentive reveals a clear-cut attitude to policy aimed at Australia’s economic development: “It’s all about the tax…
Australian health policy and public health campaigns – and the research that underpins them – leading the world in achievements.
Penny Clay/AAP
This week’s release of the NSW Health and Medical Research Strategic Review identifies many opportunities to strengthen research and ensure the community extracts the maximum possible benefit from its…
Real impact is important when considering how to fund research.
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By Vicki Thomson, Australian Technology Network of Universities
When it comes to engaging with industry, government and the broader community, there is one secret weapon that is often overlooked in the university sector – the humble story. The art of storytelling is…
There are concerns about the take-up of science subjects by students.
Ahd Photography
The Office of the Chief Scientist today releases the Health of Australian Science report and it’s an intriguing read.
The report was compiled to help the office and the public understand the current state…
Nations half the size of Australia spend more on scientific research, have higher employment levels for scientists, and greater appeal to foreign investors, according to a report on Australia’s global…
Congratulations class of 2011, you’ve been given the opportunity to have real-life professors – future classes might not.
Flickr/Pauls Creative Cakes
The University of Melbourne was founded in 1885 with five professors teaching 15 students. In 1952, at the start of the post-war tertiary boom, there were around 3,000 Australian academics teaching 30…
A rally of white-coated scientists and lab technicians rally against cuts to research funding in Perth, April 14, 2011.
AAP Image/Lloyd Jones
Australia’s usually mild-mannered medical researchers marched in the streets a year ago to protest mooted government budget cuts. In the face of widespread outcry, the government chose to maintain the…
If Australia wants to be a leading force in the knowledge economy, strategic investment in university research and infrastructure will be essential.
Novartis AG
At a time when unprecedented levels of investment are being made in university infrastructure in nations such as China and India, it is worth reflecting on how Australia has built its notable areas of…
Universities are centres of research… but what kind of research?
flickr/pcgn
Fundamentally, there are two big motives for research.
On the on hand there is intellectual ambition: the desire to know and understand the word, to appreciate the best that has been said and thought…
They way we research Asia has been misguided.
Flickr/-AroFarMeR-
Australia desperately needs to invest more on research into Asia if we’re to better understand a part of the world so vital for our future economic prosperity. But not only do we need more research, we…
Australian universities must raise their game to compete in the global education market.
Flickr/Reality-check
The world is in a state of transition.
The Indian and Chinese economies continue to grow at around 9 and 10 per cent respectively each year, while the North Atlantic economies – the 20th century epicentre…
Working to improve the performance of the resources sector is a challenging, yet important research focus.
AFP/Christian Sprogoe/Rio Tinto
There is common assumption that those of us who undertake applied research with the commercial world must be biased.
This month the University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI), which…
In 2009, 180 years worth of time was used up preparing grant applications instead of doing research.
US Army
Chance is something researchers feel could be important when their applications for scientific research funding are assessed and discussed in peer review.
Now this hunch has been supported by an analysis…
Shutting down research during National Science Week is a little jarring.
same indifference/Flickr
You really have to wonder what kind of message the New South Wales Government is trying to send about its attitude to science.
Was the announcement of funding cuts to research during Science Week just…
When is comes to research, it seems quantity has become much more important than quality.
Flickr/Iscan
Imagine the following conversation between a finance academic and his or her supervisor during an annual performance review:
Academic: So, do you think I am ready for a promotion?
Supervisor: Well, I…
Anyone expecting undying gratitude from scientists should think again.
MacGeekGrl/Flickr
The post-budget political rhetoric to me reinforces the underlying, ongoing, disdain that this, and indeed many previous, governments have for science-related matters in Australia.
Minister Carr is reported…
Why is writing grant proposals the bane of scientists' lives?
Fotolia
Getting research money, especially the no-strings-attached kind that government agencies give out, is difficult. Researchers spend months on each proposal with only a small chance of getting funded.
Winning…
