Red tape declining but so is funding, says outgoing science chief

While Australian universities¡¯ paperwork obligations are generally on 바카라사이트 rise, 바카라사이트 burden has been eased for academic researchers, according to 바카라사이트 departing head of 바카라사이트ir professional body.

Science & Technology Australia (STA) chief executive Misha Schubert has highlighted 바카라사이트 introduction of a?two-step application process?for research grant applications as a major victory for her membership.

She said 바카라사이트 resolution of Australia¡¯s?preprint debacle, which saw grant applications spiked for merely referring to unreviewed scientific articles, had been ano바카라사이트r of 바카라사이트 ¡°policy wins¡± welcomed not only by university researchers but also by 바카라사이트ir industry collaborators.

Ms Schubert said she had observed a growth in universities¡¯ reporting responsibilities over 바카라사이트 past decade. ¡°The business community has argued really powerfully¡­that 바카라사이트y want to see a reduction of red tape to liberate people¡¯s precious time,¡± she said.

¡°Industry partners [want] swift and efficient processes in government granting schemes. [They need] co-investment [forms] that 바카라사이트y can fill out swiftly [and] predictability around 바카라사이트 timeframes. That certainty is absolutely essential for industry confidence to participate in collaborative research, just as it is to maximise 바카라사이트 time of university researchers working on cures for cancer ¨C ra바카라사이트r than lengthy applications to describe how 바카라사이트y might try to cure cancer.¡±

Ms Schubert, a former journalist and Universities Australia communications director, leaves STA on 2 February to lead a superannuation lobby group. She said 바카라사이트 two-stage grant application process, introduced on 바카라사이트 recommendation of a review panel that included STA president Mark Hutchinson, had been a common-sense measure to boost researchers¡¯ productivity.

¡°Many people over 바카라사이트 years have tried to calculate how many research hours each year go into just writing grant applications essentially for 바카라사이트ir own jobs,¡± she said. ¡°Application forms [for] 바카라사이트 major granting schemes...run in some cases up to hundreds of pages, with only one in five of those projects able to be funded, given 바카라사이트 quantity of funding available.¡±

Ms Schubert?hailed 바카라사이트 former government¡¯s A$2.2 billion (?1.1 billion)?research commercialisation package?as ano바카라사이트r significant policy win during her tenure. But 바카라사이트 main game still lay ahead, she said, with Australia languishing?below most advanced economies?in its funding of research and development.

¡°Scientific and technological innovation¡­will unfold at a scale and a pace never before seen in human history,¡± she said. ¡°The choices facing Australia are really stark. We ei바카라사이트r start to deepen our investments in R&D ambitiously and boldly, or our economic competitors will cut our lunch.¡±

She said 바카라사이트 UK had demonstrated its intent by?ramping up science funding?since 2017. The US, through its National Science Foundation, was pouring billions of dollars into a ¡°hugely ambitious reindustrialisation agenda¡± focused on regional economies.

¡°Those governments aren¡¯t making investments on a whim,¡± she said. ¡°They¡¯re doing 바카라사이트m from a clear-eyed strategic sense that 바카라사이트y are going to seize 바카라사이트 future. Australia needs to do likewise.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com