Not Everything that Goes Up Comes Down - University Student / Staff Ratios 1996 - 2003. (September 9, 2004)

    On September 8 the President of the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS), Snow Barlow announced the release of a new report, Beyond Brain Drain, edited by Fiona Wood.

Professor Barlow made the point the report "takes 'brain drain' arguments a step further by highlighting the real challenges of a fiercely competitive global market for the best and brightest scientists, mathematicians, engineers, technologists and innovators.

    "The problem is not simply lack of resources and investment in universities and public sector research agencies, but one of a co-ordinated policy approach.. Australia needs a coherent approach to managing science and engineering human resource requirements. For example, the long-term 'Brain Drain' is compounded by 'brain loss' if students are turned off science and mathematics by a lack of expert science teachers in schools or lack of early-career opportunities for researchers."

FASTS president concluded, "Much more attention is required to leverage value through active links with Australians working overseas. We need a major rethink of how we attract, train and retain our best science and technology workers if we are to be remotely competitive."

Interestingly the previous day Graeme Hugo, a Federation Fellow and Professor of Geography at the University of Adelaide addressed the Monash Seminars on Higher Education on The Demography of Australia's Academic Workforce: Patterns, Problems and Policy Implications. A couple of excepts and a table taken from his thirty page paper are telling:

Professor Hugo writes, "The survey involved both qualitative and quantitative dimensions and the responses of academics reflect the fact that many felt that the limitations of the situation was a strong element in their move [overseas to further their careers]. Some quotations indicate this."

“I see myself as part of a ‘brain drain’ of academic achievers who have left Australia for the UK or USA because of the gradual decay/active destruction of Australian universities. Salaries, teaching conditions and research funding are all of massive concern – as is job security. I hope the results from this survey send a clear message that many of us who have left would like to return eventually but fear it is difficult or impossible to do at the present.”

“The most useful point I can make is that I am one of a group of a growing number of Australian academics who realise that I can earn a lot more, get better research funding and a perfectly good lifestyle in Europe.”

“Since leaving Australia, my career in medical research has broadened in a combination teaching, research and administration in ways that would be extremely difficult or impossible in Australia. I have no doubts that my career would have remained stunted had I decided to remain in Australia.”

Hugo continues, "many also mentioned the greater access to research funding and superior conditions for research. This is evident in the following…"

“I feel very displaced by the current trend of declining university funding. There are simply no opportunities in university geology in Australia. ARC funding is unreasonably difficult to acquire. I have successfully acquired NSF funding in the USA.”

“I would love to return but none of my compatriots in Australia can come close to the resources and funds at my disposal. I don’t feel it is worthwhile to fight for a small grant in Australia when I can readily get large grants (US$3 million) here. Until the NH&MRC is properly funded there is no point in returning.”

“There are few post doctoral positions available in Australia however there is plenty of choice particularly in the USA and UK.”

These matters have been raised time and time again with the Federal Government and have been met with cheap half solutions such as the Federation Fellowship program,  Backing Australia's Ability II and a higher education reform package that looks more like a counter-reformation than a reversal of "the gradual decay/active destruction of Australian universities."

As for that table we promised:

Clearly not everything that goes up comes down.