FASTS to Host Forum on the Rights and Obligations of Researchers in Universities and Public Sector Research Agencies. (February 19, 2008)

The Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS) FASTS are to host a forum on the rights and obligations of scientists and researchers in universities and public sector research agencies.

The forum is from 9.45am to 4.00pm on Friday, 22nd of February, 2008 in the Members Dining Room, Old Parliament House, Canberra.

The forum is a response to Kim Carr's recent announcement to establish charters to:

• identify and guarantee the responsibilities and obligations of the research agency, and

• enshrine the rights and the obligation, of scientists and other researchers to participate in public debates
  

While the charters will initially apply to the Commonwealth agencies in Minister Carr's portfolio (CSIRO, ANSTO & AIMS), the Minister has made it clear he believes issues of rights, obligations and independence apply to scientists and researchers working in universities and other PFRAs.

The forum is intended to stimulate considered discussion in the science and research sectors on issues around rights and obligations, academic freedom, scientific independence, politicisation of science and what it takes to participate fully and effectively in public debate

The keynote speaker is Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

Other speakers include:

• Professor Margaret Shiel (CEO, ARC)

• Professor George Williams (Director, Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law, UNSW)

• Professor Lawrence Cram (DVC, ANU)

• Professor Peter Cullen (Wentworth group of concerned scientists)
• Professor Bernie Tuch (UNSW/Prince of Wales Hospital)
• Dr Julie Wells (Director, policy and planning, RMIT)
• Professor John Rice (Chair, Australian Council of the Deans of Science)
• Professor Amanda Lynch (Federation Fellow, Monash University)

Direct all enquiries and responses to Bradley Smith at fasts@anu.edu.au

Program

9.30am Registration

9.55am Welcome, introductory comments

10.00am Panel session 1 - Reflections on ideas of rights and obligations, academic freedom, and scientific independence

Professor George Williams (Director, Gilbert + Tobin Centre  of Public Law, UNSW)

Sharon Andrews (RMIT University)

Dr Michael Borgas (CSIRO staff Association)

10.50 Morning Tea

11.10am Panel Session 2 - Constraining rights and obligations - working at the intersection of public and privately funded and/or performed R&D

Kathryn Adams, Senior Research Fellow, Australian Centre for Intellectual Property in Agriculture

Professor David St John (CEO, CAST CRC)

11.40am Panel session 3 - The view from funders and institutions

Professor Margaret Shiel (CEO, ARC)

Dr Geoff Garrett (CEO, CSIRO)

Professor Lawrence Cram (DVC, ANU)

12.30pm Lunch

1.00pm Keynote address: Senator Kim Carr - Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

1.30pm Panel 4 - Science and politics - Reflecting on real experience of scientists engaging in political and policy debates

Professor Peter Cullen (Wentworth group of concerned scientists)

Professor Matthew England (Federation Fellow, UNSW)

Professor Bernie Tuch (UNSW/Prince of Wales Hospital)

2.20pm Panel 5 - science engagement, communication and the media

Dr Miriam Goodwin (Senior advisor, Research management and policy - ANSTO)

Dr Rob Morrison (Science communicator)

Media person (tba)

3.00pm Afternoon tea

3.10pm panel 6 - Responding to the issues - implications for science education, research training and science and research practice

Dr Julie Wells (Director, policy and planning, RMIT)

Professor John Rice (Chair, Australian Council of the Deans of Science)

Professor Amanda Lynch (Federation Fellow, Monash)

3.55pm Where to from here?

Processes and timelines

4.00pm Close - drinks