Abstract
A review of the New Zealand research system is being undertaken by a panel established by the Royal Society of New Zealand. The goals for this panel are briefly described here.
The Royal Society of New Zealand has recently assembled a panel of Fellows, chaired by Professor Peter Hunter, to review the New Zealand research system (including research in the humanities) and to develop a strategic plan for research investment. For the terms of reference, a list of panel members and activity to date, see http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/expert-advice/papers/yr2015/future-of-new-zealand-research-system/.
The panel will review the architecture of the New Zealand research system, including: the role and operation of funding agencies (the Marsden Fund, the Health Research Council, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Centres of Research Excellence, the National Science Challenges, etc.); the role of universities, Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) and Callaghan Innovation; career development including doctoral training, postdoctoral research, research assistant and research scientist positions; international cooperation agreements and existing international research collaborations. It will compare the New Zealand system with international best practice.
Questions to be considered include: What is the value of New Zealand research activities for New Zealand (outcomes in social/cultural, health, environmental and economic areas)? What needs to be done to reverse the decline of New Zealand universities in the world university rankings? Is the architecture and funding balance across the funding agencies appropriate? What should be the funding balance between science and humanities? How could links between universities, CRIs and industry be improved? Should we (and how do we) encourage more government funding for research, science and technology?—and what is the justification? Do we need better incentives for national and international collaborations? Subcommittees have been set up to undertake a foresight process (what would the system ideally look like in 2030), to examine options for better acquisition and access to expensive research equipment, to examine issues around e-research and data archiving, and to consider career development issues for young emerging researchers.
In order to gather data on the translation of basic or applied research findings into outcomes that are beneficial to New Zealand society in areas such as healthcare, the environment, the economy and New Zealand society (including cultural aspects), and to illustrate the importance of curiosity-driven research (whether ‘basic’ or ‘applied’), the panel recently invited Royal Society of New Zealand Fellows to provide case studies of what has happened in New Zealand over the past 150 years. The panel also feels that it cannot analyse and recommend changes in the present system without a thorough understanding of the current system and what has led to this over the past 100 or so years within all research areas. It is therefore seeking volunteers to write brief historical accounts of how their own area of research activity has developed over time within the New Zealand context. This should also describe the current scene, including national and international linkages, highlight major current issues (including any issues of career development) and indicate how the discipline contributes to New Zealand’s social, health, environmental and economic well-being. The articles in the present special issue provide valuable contributions to many of the issues being addressed in the review.