News & Views item - March 2007

 

 

Australian Academy of Science Fires Off Three Media Releases in Quick Succession. (March 30, 2007)

 

 

 

 

     The challenge for the Academy will be to engender an active interest by the federal Coalition and Labor opposition. And in the first instance that requires detailed recommendations, but it also requires the federal Cabinet / shadow cabinet to be receptive to the proposals and be prepared to be proactive otherwise, in the words of Nick and Fletcher when advising the chickens of their plane's flight path, "In the quite likely event of emergency put your head between your knees and kiss your bum goodbye".

 

 

 

 

 

Saving the fundamentals of science

Is there life after the post-doctoral fellowship?

Productivity Commission puts science to work

  27 March 2007

A move towards 'fundamental' undergraduate university courses is necessary to meet Australia's growing need for graduates with science and technology skills, the Chairs of the National Committees concluded last week at a workshop held at the Australian Academy of Science.

The group discussed the value of the 'Bologna Process', a series of higher education reforms presently being undertaken in 45 European
countries and set to be introduced to a number of Australian universities from 2008.

Academy President Professor Kurt Lambeck, said: "Current Australian vocational courses do not meet all areas of importance for creating competent and flexible employees."

"School leavers are choosing university courses solely on the basis of the subsequent employment opportunities that it will offer, but are missing out on learning how to think, and on preparation for self-directed lifelong learning."

"University degrees modelled after the Bologna Process have the potential to educate students in the fundamental skill of transforming information into knowledge."

The Bologna Process recommends consolidated generic courses, in contrast to 'boutique courses' such as forensic science or nutrition, or highly vocational undergraduate courses. Specialisation, including vocational training, would occur at the post-graduate stage through an additional Graduate Diploma or Masters degree. In the Australian context, there must be HECS-funded places.

Graduates today are highly likely to end up in careers far removed from their higher education course of study. This makes the need for young people with solid skills in a range of areas and a high degree of flexibility particularly important for Australia's future.

The Chairs of the National Committees identified a further problem with Australia's current education system, beginning much earlier than university. Secondary school students are undertaking far fewer advanced science units today than in the past, without realising that this may penalise them in their future career choices.

Professor Lambeck said: "Primary and secondary level education also needs to teach fundamental areas including science. Science is a disciplined way of thinking that stands all students in good stead, whatever their future careers."
  28 March 2007

The careers of Australia's talented mid-career scientists are a focus of concern for the nation's peak science body, the Australian Academy of Science.

Australia's looming skills shortage can only be addressed if career paths are improved to attract talented scientists in to research and teaching, and most importantly, to keep them there.

Some of Australia's leading scientists across 20 scientific disciplines met at the Shine Dome last week, and agreed that the careers of many young Australian scientists are in a holding pattern.

The lack of suitable, secure positions, with remuneration on a par with
what can be obtained overseas, is attracting and keeping our best talent
off-shore. This creates a cycle of fewer people studying the fundamental science subjects, finding a career in research, or becoming science and mathematics teachers to train and inspire the next generation.

The solution is the creation of schemes to offer security and pay parity for scientists who have completed one or two post-doctoral fellowships. There is an urgent need for more mid-career fellowships, especially in the ARC.

Academy President Professor Kurt Lambeck says: "Career structure is a large issue, especially for young post-docs. The academic world can be seen as a pyramid, where there are numerous places available on the lower rungs, but where higher positions become scarcer. Where do post-docs go?"

The group identified the issue of Australia permanently losing many valuable post-docs internationally, and suggested a scheme (the "Boomerang Scheme") to tempt Australians back to the count before they became too settled overseas. The scheme would involve substantial start-up funds, a salary equivalent to Australian peers, and job security. In addition, the scheme may also be used to attract international top scientists from around the world to Australia.
  28 March 2007

The Australian Academy of Science today welcomed the key findings of the Productivity Commission's research report on public support for science and innovation.

The Commissioners used multiple approaches to try to estimate the returns on public investment in science. While difficult to quantify these returns precisely, they concluded that there are 'widespread and important economic, social and environmental benefits' arising from public investment in research.

Academy President Professor Kurt Lambeck does not see this conclusion as surprising, saying: 'Similar studies in the United States have shown that half the productivity gains in the past 50 years are attributable to technological innovation and the basic science that underpins innovation.

'The knowledge-based economy of the 21st century will be even more dependent on scientific knowledge as global competition increases the pace of change.'

The Academy agrees with the Productivity Commission's finding that career structures for Australia's early- to mid-career researchers require urgent attention.

The Academy also is concerned about the related issue of Australia permanently losing many valuable post-doctoral scientists overseas and has suggested a 'Boomerang Scheme' to tempt Australians back to the country before they became too settled overseas. The scheme would involve substantial start-up funds, a salary equivalent to Australian peers and job security.

The scheme also could be used to attract international top scientists from around the world to Australia.

The Academy will comment on the Productivity Commission report further when it has examined the 800-page report in detail.