Last week, the Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic called on citizens of Australia to help identify priority areas of science that would deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the country.
Announced on Thursday at the Burswood Girls High School in Sydney, The National Science and Research Priorities Statement will help to provide further direction for Australia’s science system and refresh priorities to reflect the country’s ambitions and challenges.
“We want to hear the views of a wide range of Australians on the issues they are facing that require a solution drawing on the breadth of our science and research communities,” Mr Husic said.
“Investing in science is investing in our future. Engaging with Australians is key to refreshing Australia’s National Science and Research Priorities and our National Science Statement.”
The last time the Federal Government set forth any science or research priorities was back in 2015 when citizens were not included in the discussion.
Australia’s Chief Scientist, Cathy Foley, has been selected to lead the conversation.
“This is about coming up with a set of priorities that will guide science in the years to come, ensuring we are all pulling in the same direction,” Dr Foley said.
“We want to ensure we can tackle the big challenges, and that means supporting a strong and energetic research sector and a real sense of collective focus.”
Doctor Foley is encouraging input from wide cross-sections of the community, including research and business communities, those at the cutting edge of innovation and commercialisation, and indigenous Australians.
The government has outlined the seven key considerations of the science discussion to help individuals tailor their ideas to the whole of Australia.
These seven considerations include the need for ideas to be community-informed, ambitious and purpose-driven, evidence-based, enduring and responsive, relevant, bound within a reasonable scope, and able to inform investments.
The Australian government said that by refreshing its priorities in science and research, a national policy framework could be established and embedded into future government decision-making.
Up until March 31, Australian citizens can submit forms of writing or videos analysing challenges they believe should be addressed through science, future opportunities and strengths upon which we can maintain and build.
On June 23, the Federal Government will seek feedback from Australians using a draft copy of priorities to have a finalised version completed by September 2023.