Velocity of Australian Science Policy

For many years now I have been monitoring the time and efort devoted to science policy. My complete list is for Australia.

It was this list that made me think of calling this blog 'velocity'.

 


1989 Research, Innovation and Competitiveness – introduction of the rural Research and Development Corporations legislation.

1989 ‘Science and Technology for Australia’ policy statement.

1990 Cooperative Research Centres policy announced.

1990 ‘Building a Competitive Australia’ policy statement.

1991 One Nation’ economic and industry policy statement by the Prime Minister Paul Keating.

1992 Developing Australian Ideas: a blueprint for the 1990s (Science and Technology White paper).

1993

1994 Phase 1 of the Review of Rural Research and Development Corporations.

1994-95 Industry Commission inquiry (& report) on Research and Development (public & private funding).

1995 Phase 2 of the Review of Rural Research and Development Corporations.

1995 Innovation Statement – following a national consultation program.


Election of new government

 
1996 Changes to the business R&D incentives system in place since the mid 1980s.

1997 Mortimer review of business programs (incl R&D incentives).

1997 ‘Investing for growth’ policy statement.

1997 Priority Matters – review by the Chief scientist into priority setting in Commonwealth Government research.

1997 Announcement of West review of higher education financing and policy.

1997 Announcement of review into Health R&D.

1998 Report of the Parliamentary inquiry into the effects of policy reform on the levels of R&D performance.

1999 ‘The Virtuous Circle’ Wills report on the National Health and Medical Research Council strategic review.

1999 ‘New Knowledge new Opportunities’ discussion paper on research and research training.

1999 ‘Knowledge and Innovation’ policy statement on higher education.

2000 National Innovation Summit followed by a report by the Innovation Summit Implementation Group.

2000 ‘A Chance to Change’ Report of the inquiry by the Chief Scientist into Australia’s science and technology capability.

2001 Backing Australia’s Ability’ statement by the Prime Minister on funding for higher education and incentives for business funded research.

2002 National research Priorities announced.

2003 A major Government review to ‘map the Australia national innovation system’.

2004

2005 Announcement of a new measure of university research quality – the research quality framework

2006-2007 Major review of public support for science and innovation (Productivity Commission)

 
Dec 2007 Election of a new Government


2008 Major review of the Australian national innovation system

2009 Announcement of Innovation Policy Statement

2010 review relevant to policy implementation

Canadian review of research funding

Just like the Europeans, Canada is conducting a review of R&D funding.

The panel has been asked to review three types of federal research and development (R&D) initiatives:

1. Tax incentive programs such as the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program;
2. Programs that support business R&D through: general support (e.g., Industrial Research Assistance Program) sector-specific support (e.g., Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative) ; and
3.  Programs that support business-focused R&D through federal granting councils and other departments and agencies, including research at universities and colleges (e.g., Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research) .

The panel will provide recommendations to the Government of Canada by October 2011

Go here.
www.rdreview-examenrd.ca

May 2011 recommendations

Here are May's reading recommendations.


S&T Strategies of Six Countries: Implications for the United States

National Academies Press
The U.S. will need to shift from a national S&T strategy predicated on the 1950s paradigm of "control and isolation" to a global innovation environment focused on "engagement and partnerships," according to this report. S&T Strategies of Six Countries: Implications for the United States provides an overview of national science and technology strategies in Japan, Singapore, Brazil, China, India and Russia, and concludes that the U.S. should focus on improving its balance of "top-down" and "bottom-up" innovation. The report also suggests that the U.S. should improve its global exchanges in education and R&D talent, international and national recruitment of R&D talent, and multinational corporate collaborations.

The Action Plan: 10 Steps to Boost Productivity, Create Jobs and Raise Canadian Incomes

Innovation: Coalition for Action on Innovation in Canada
Canada has a lot going for it in today’s global economy. Its traditional resource base is in high demand. Its population is among the best educated in the world. Canadian communities are beacons of diversity, filled with global citizens. Its public finances are relatively strong. Its tax rates are increasingly attractive. Its markets are open. Canada's businesses are moving more confidently into a wider range of international markets. As a result, Canadians today enjoy an enviable standard of living and quality of life. But it cannot afford to be complacent. The country's future prosperity is threatened on three fronts: ....

 

Skills for Innovation and Research - OECD

"This book seeks to increase understanding of the links between skills and innovation. It explores the wide range of skills required, ranging from technical to "soft", and the ability to learn; it presents data and evidence on countries' stocks and flows of skills and the links between skill inputs and innovation outputs. Given the importance of meeting the demands of knowledge-based economic activity, the book investigates the issues of skill supply, education, workplace training and work organisation. It highlights the importance of enabling individuals to acquire appropriate skills and of optimising these at work."

 European Commission.
This slipped by me earlier this year but the EC is reviewing its innovation support. Comments are now closed but go here for more information.
http://ec.europa.eu/research/csfri/index_en.cfm

Humanity 'must do more with less,' UNEP warns

Humanity 'must do more with less,' panel warns

This is definitely worth reading.

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Humanity+must+more+with+less+panel+warns/4777332/story.html

Download the report here:

http://www.unep.org/publications/contents/pub_details_search.asp?ID=6195