Fifteen research priorities for Australia’s future

Fifteen Strategic Research Priorities (SRPs) were launched on Friday by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research Dr Craig Emerson, Minister for Science and Research Senator Don Farrell and Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb.

The result of extensive consultation across the Australian research spectrum, the priorities are intended to represent a new way to focus Australia’s research effort while recognising the need for flexibility in using research to answer important policy questions. They replace the 10-year-old National Research Priorities and build on the government’s 2012 National Research Investment Plan.

Professor Chubb is chair of the Australian Research Committee (ARCom), which developed the SRPs. He says they are vital to addressing the five most important societal challenges facing the nation: living in a changing environment, promoting population health and wellbeing, managing our food and water assets, securing Australia’s place in a changing world and lifting productivity and economic growth.

“We can no longer assume the areas critical to our nation’s interest will be there when we need them,” said Professor Chubb. “By ensuring a proportion of government support is directed to these areas, we move towards a more secure future.”

Departments and agencies of the Commonwealth will be required to direct a proportion of their budgets, consistent with their mission, to addressing these challenges. The challenges and priorities will be updated every three years.

“Australians seek assurance that regardless of the winds of change, we will always have the knowledge and know-how needed to address the challenges facing us as a nation and the global community of which we are a part. These Strategic Research Priorities seek to provide that assurance,” Professor Chubb said.

The priorities were welcomed by the Australian Academy of Science, with Secretary of Science Policy Professor Les Field saying it was heartening that the process of establishing a long-term, strategic vision that helps the nation flourish has begun.

“It’s very good to see a whole-of-government approach to investing in research,” Professor Field said.

“We are pleased with the announcement that work will be undertaken to assess Australia’s current capacity and capability, with a view to looking at fundamental issues such as workforce, infrastructure, collaboration and business research.

“We also welcome the acknowledgement that within the priority areas, a significant amount of the research will need to be early-stage, basic research.

“However, we reiterate the need for long-term and sustained investment in research,” Professor Field added.

The academy is a part of national research alliance which last week urged politicians to support a long-term, strategic approach to science. Science & Technology Australia CEO Catriona Jackson, also part of the alliance, said the release of the SRPs “is a constructive move in that direction”.

“The priorities are part of the National Research Investment Plan (NRIP), which lays out the kind of long-term plan for research investment that is critical to the nation’s future,” Jackson said.

“We note that the research priorities will be updated every three years to take account of a rapidly changing world.

“STA’s 68,000 members look forward to further announcements that back the innovative capacity of our people, especially the strategic plan for science and technology, being undertaken by the Chief Scientist Ian Chubb.”

Professor Chubb will write to all departments and agencies engaged in the funding of research, outlining the implementation process. They will have until July 2014 to align with the new priorities.