GOVERNMENT’S PRIORITIES SHOULD INCLUDE RESEARCH FUNDING
December 5 2002
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), the peak representative body for Australian researchers, welcomes today’s announcement by the Government of the priorities to guide national research, but cautions that the it should be accompanied by a commitment to additional funding to sustain them over the long term.
“While the national research priorities setting exercise is valuable in focusing Australia’s research effort on the fields of study critical to advancing our national interest, our universities and research institutions are crying out for additional funding necessary for the advancement of Australia’s overall research effort”, said Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU National President.
“The national research themes announced today take some account of the interactions between different research disciplines in producing solutions to national problems. However, a more inclusive focus is needed in order to maximise the benefits of interdisciplinary research.”
“Particularly, the effort in the Humanities and Social Sciences has not been accorded the appropriate attention it deserves. For example, the theme of Safeguarding Australia, focusing on terrorism, while important, lacks engagement with knowledge that assists us in understanding the emergence of terrorist threats.”
“The Government’s backing for basic research in the Sciences should be supplemented with adequate provision for endeavours in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Only then can the Government truly claim it has tailored the national research priorities along the principles of equity, quality, diversity and sustainability”, elaborated Dr Allport.
“One of the themes announced today is research aimed at advancing healthy lives and long life expectancy of Australians. When life expectancy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is dramatically below that of the rest of the country it is disappointing that this has not been made a priority within the theme”, concluded Dr Allport
For information and comment
Jasmina Brankovich
NTEU Policy and Research Officer
(03) 9254 1910