AUSTRALIA
Basic Research and National Objectives
1981
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BASIC
RESEARCH
A report
AND
NATIONAL
to the Prime
OBJECTIVES
Minister
by the
Australian
Science
and Technology
Council
(ASTEC)
MAY
Australian
Government
Canberra
1981
Publishing
1981
Service
@
Commonwealth
ISBN 0 642 06697
Printed
by Pirie Printers
Pty
of Australia
1981
3
Limited,
Canberra,
A.C.T.
astec
AUSTRALIAN
SCIENCE AND
P.O. BOX 52
CANBERRA,
A.C.T. 2600
My dear
Prime
TECHNOLOGY
COUNCIL
8 May 1981
Minister,
We have the honour
to present
our report
on
'Basic
Research
and National
Objectives'
as requested
This
includes
a statement
of national
by the Government.
objectives
for basic
research,
and a discussion
of the
need to maintain
an adequate
level
of basic
research.
An analysis
is also presented
of the extent
to which
the programs
of financial
assistance
provided
by the
various
government
funding
bodies
are meeting
the
national
objectives
to which
basic
research
can
Since
this
report
contains
comment on the
contribute.
social
sciences
and humanities,
which
are outside
we have consulted
with
appropriate
ASTEC's purview,
and the report
includes
our
authorities
in these
areas,
perception
of their
views.
Yours
Clyy,bJ
’ 1$j&&-g~
Jy3Q
(G.M. Badger)
Chairman
For
and on behalf
(R.N.
Deputy
Robertson)
Chairman
of:
Professor
B.E. Hobbs
Dr P.S. Lang
Mr K. McLeod
Professor
Sir Gustav
Sir Arvi
Parbo
Mr L.G. Peres
Professor
M.G. Porter
Mr J.G. Wilson
Mr D.S. Adam
Professor
B.D.O.
Anderson
Sir Samuel Burston
Professor
J.H.
Carver
Mr J.N. Davenport
Dr L.W. Davies
Mr A.W. Hamer
The Right
Honourable
Prime Minister,
Parliament
House,
CANBERRA
A.C.T.
sincerely,
Malcolm
2600
..
lil
Fraser,
CH, MP,
Nossal
MEMBERS
Professor
Sir Geoffrey
Badger,
AO,
OF ASTEC
FTS, FAA
(Chairman)
Professor
Sir Rutherford
Robertson,
AC, CMG, FAA, FRS (Deputy
Formerly
Director,
Research School of Biological
Sciences,
The Australian
National
Chairman),
University
Mr D.S. Adam (from I April 1981)
General Manager,
Corporate
Affairs,
The Broken
Hill
Proprietary
Co Ltd
Professor B.D.O. Anderson,
FTS, FAA (on leave, August 1980 to March
Professor of Electrical
Engineering,
The University
of Newcastle
Sir Samuel
Grazier
Burston,
1981)
OBE
Professor
J.H. Carver
Director,
Research School of Physical
The Australian
National
University
Sciences,
Mr 3.N. Davenport,
DSO, DFC and Bar,
Managing Director,
Monier Limited
GM
Dr L.W. Davies, AO, FTS, FAA
Chief Scientist,
Amalgamated
Wireless
and Professor of Electrical
Engineering,
Mr A.W. Hamer, FTS (until
Company Director
27 February
(Australasia)
Ltd,
The University
of New
South
Wales
1981)
Professor
B.E. Hobbs (on leave, November
1980 to March 1981)
Professor of Geology, Department
of Earth Sciences, Monash University
Dr P.S. Lang,
Grazier
OBE
Mr K.H. McLeod (from 17 September
1980)
Federal Secretary,
Australian
Insurance Employees’
Professor
Sir Gustav Nossal, CBE, FAA
Director,
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
Sir Arvi Parbo, FTS (until
Chairman
and Managing
Mr L.G. Peres
Reader in Political
27 February
1981)
Western
Director,
Science,
The University
Professor
M.G. Porter (from 1 April 1981)
Director,
Centre for Policy Studies, Monash
Mr 3.G. Wilson, CBE
Chairman,
Australian
Paper
Manufacturers
iv
Union
of Medical
Mining
Corporation
of Melbourne
University
Limited
Research
Holdings
Ltd
CONTENTS
1
1.
SUMMARY
2.
INTRODUCTION
3.
NATURE
_~
OF RESEARCH
3
Definitions
The Research Spectrum
Conduct of Research in Australia
Benefits
of Basic Research
4.
DERIVATION
OF NATIONAL
National
Goals
Derivation
of National
3
5
8
9
GOALS
Objectives
NATIONAL
OBJECTIVES
CAN CONTRIBUTE
TO WHICH
6.
BASIC
OBJECTIVES
AND
AND
on Which
5..
RESEARCH
2
BASIC
OBJECTIVES
Research
RESEARCH
II
ma)’ Bear
II
12
13
19
1.
SUMMARY
1.1
to prepare
a statement
of
ASTEC has been asked by the Government
national objectives
to which basic research can contribute
and, following
consultation
with research project funding bodies, to advise the Government
on the extent to which
programs of financial
assistance provided by those bodies support projects relevant to
national
objectives.
1.2
In responding
to this request, ASTEC has accepted the usual definition
of
basic research as original investigation
with the aim of more complete
understanding,
and has recognised
that a continuous
spectrum
of basic research exists, from pure
research,
conducted
for advancement
of knowledge
for its own sake, to strategic
mission-oriented
research which, although still basic, is oriented toward a particular
The intrinsic,
as well as the
topic in the expectation
of a practical
application.
cultural,
teaching,
social and economic
benefits
of basic research are discussed.
1.3
National
objectives
have been derived
by ASTEC through
a process of
extensive
consultation.
Most of these objectives
fall into one or other of two broad
classes: those which are to do with the creative
activities
of the human mind, or the
gaining of knowledge
for its own sake, and which, for convenience
are referred
to
throughout
this report as ‘cultural’,
objectives;
and those which are concerned with
the social and economic welfare of the nation, referred to herein as ‘socio-economic’
objectives.
Social and economic welfare is more broadly defined in this report than
it might be in other contexts,
and takes in not only community
welfare and economic
growth and distribution,
but also security,
foreign relations and social cohesion.
There
are, however,
some objectives
for basic research
which span the cultural/socioeconomic
division,
especially
when considered
in terms
of the research
which
contributes
to their attainment.
That is, research which at first sight appears to
contribute
only to cultural
objectives
can have important
implications
for social and
economic
welfare,
and vice-versa.
1.4
As a consequence
of 1.2 and 1.3, it can be said that all research contributes
to national
objectives
and even, albeit
indirectly,
to national
socio-economic
objectives.
However,
in this report, ASTEC has examined the proportions
of research
funds which go to support
research
which contributes
directly
to socio-economic
objectives;
thus the report gives a lower limit of the contribution
of basic research
funding to objectives,
while still recognising
the importance
of indirect
contributions,
and of the contribution
to cultural
objectives.
1.5
The principal
research project funding schemes supported
wealth
Government
have been examined
accordingly
and the
obtained:
about 85% of funds from the various funding
oriented
to national
socio-economic
objectives;
schemes
by the Commonfollowing
results
support
research
two funding bodies devote part of their funds to support basic. research
which is not directly
oriented to national socio-economic
objectives;
these
are the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC),
and the
Australian
Research Grants Committee
(ARGC):
.
a small
contribute
expected
term;
proportion
of NH&MRC-supported
research
projects
do not
directly
to specific
socio-economic
objectives,
but all may be
to contribute
to the health of the community
in the short or long
about 40% of projects
supported
socio-economic
objectives;
by ARGC
a further
25% of the ARGC-supported
able indirect
but potential
application
ives.
contribute
research projects
to socio-economic
directly
to specific
have an identifinational
object-
the remaining
35% of the ARGC-supported
projects
do not contribute
directly
to socio-economic
objectives,
but to cultural
objectives
including
topics (such as those on the Australian
flora and fauna, astronomy,
and
Australian
history) which are of special interest
to Australia;
the role of
these projects
in providing
the basis of pure research
on which future
innovation
partly depends, should not be overlooked.
1.6
ASTEC considers that, having regard to the necessity to maintain a balance
between
types of research,
the amount of ARGC and NH&MRC
funds devoted
to
directly
to socio-economic
objectives,
is small
research
which does not contribute
when compared with the totality
of Commonwealth
research project
funding flowing
to basic research.
This is especially
so when the potential
for application
of a
substantial
proportion
of the ARGC and NH&MRC-funded
research and the importance of sustaining
vigorous basic research, are recognised.
Given that funding from
these schemes
goes to the best researchers,
scholars and projects
on a competitive
basis judged by international
standards, there is need for a real increase in the funds
to maintain
the vigour and productivity
of excellent
basic research and scholarship
in
Australia,
and thereby the balance of the research system.
2.
INTRODUCTION
2.1
ASTEC has, in earlier publications,
presented
arguments
for the continued
support of basic research of high standard [1,2]. In its report ‘The Direct Funding
of Basic Research’ the Council considered,
among other matters,
the need to identify
fields of research which are underdeveloped
and which need to be stimulated
in the
national interest.
The Government
has brgely
accepted the recommendations
of that
report and has asked ASTEC to undertake
a further investigation
of basic research in
The Council has been requested to consult with approrelation
to national objectives.
priate research funding bodies, to prepare a statement
of national objectives
to which
basic research can contribute,
and to advise the Government
on the extent to which
the programs
of financial
assistance
provided
by the various government
funding
bodies are supporting
projects
relevant
to national
objectives.
Most of these are
concerned
with research in the natural sciences, but some funds support research in
the social sciences and humanities
as well. These areas are outside the normal purview
of ASTEC.
ASTEC has accordingly
consulted
with appropriate
authorities
in the
The
social sciences and humanities,
and their views are reflected
in this report.
necessarily
commit
those in the social
statements
in this report do not, however,
rather the report gives ASTEC’s
sciences and humanities
whom ASTEC consulted;
interpretation
of the opinions they gave.
2.2
The Commonwealth
Government
supports
research
projects
through
a
variety of mechanisms
(see Appendix 1). The NH&hIRC
supports research projects in
the medical and dental sciences which in the short or long term may be expected
to improve the health of the community.
The National
Energy Research Development
and Demonstration
Council
(NERDDC)
supports research,
development
and demonstration
projects
related to energy.
Most of these are in the natural sciences, but
some are in the social sciences.
The Marine Sciences and Technologies
Fund supports
research
projects
designed
to enhance
our knowledge
of the nature,
use, and
environmental
preservation,
of the seas which surround us. The Education
Research
and Development
Committee
(ERDC) (recently
abolished)
recommends
grants for
projects
in the social sciences
involving
research
in all areas of education.
The
Primary Industry Research Trust Funds (which are supported jointly by the particular
industries
and the Government)
support research projects
which are of interest
to
each industry.
2.3
scholars
sciences
promise.
research
Research’.
The funds available
to the ARGC are used to support researchers
and
with projects
(mostly
basic! but some applied),
not only in the natural
but also in the social sciences and humanities,
selected on their merit and
This characteristic
policy of supporting
the most outstanding
and promising
was endorsed by ASTEC in its Report on ‘The Direct
Funding of Basic
ASTEC’s recommendation
on ARGC in that Report,
That ARGC
be continued
as a funding
body for the support
of the
outstanding
research projects and promising
research workers in universities
in other non-government
laboratories
and institutions
[3]
has been
3.
accepted
NATURE
most
and
by the Government.
OF RESEARCH
DEFINITIONS
3.1
For statistical
purposes research can be divided into different
categories.
A common set of categories
is that applied by Project SCORE (Survey and Comparison
of Research Expenditure)
[4], conducted
biennially
by the Department
of Science and
Technology
in collaboration
with the Australian
Bureau of Statistics.
The Project
SCORE categories
are:
basic research is defined as original
investigation
with the primary
aim of
a more complete
knowledge
or understanding
of the subject under study;
this category
of basic research is further subdivided into strategic
research
and pure research;
strategic
research (or strategic
mission-oriented
research) is of a
basic or fundamental
kind conducted
with an expectation
that it
will provide a broad base of knowledge
necessary as the background
for the solution of recognised
practical
problems;
pure research
is defined
as research
which is carried
out without
looking
for long-term
economic
or social benefits
other than the
advancement
of knowledge;
applied or tactical
research is defined as original
investigation
undertaken
in order to acquire
new knowledge,
and directed
primarily
towards
a
specific
practical
aim or objective,
such as determining
possible uses for
findings of basic research,
or solving a recognised
problem.
Relevance
of the Definitions
3.2
A primary
purpose of the above statistical
categories
utilised
in Project
SCORE is to facilitate
international
comparisons
of national expenditures
on research
and development.
The Reports of Project SCORE themselves
counsel caution in using
the results of the surveys for other purposes,
and given the unpredictability
of
research and the interconnectedness
of natural phenomena, ASTEC re-emphasises
the
somewhat arbitrary
nature of this classification.
In considering
the utility
of these
three main research categories
for its present purpose, ASTEC has concluded that the
categories
are useful as a starting
point for the discussion of the nature of research
activities,
but that in assessing relevance
the categories
are not mutually
exclusive
and their interdependencies
affect the assessment of relevance.
3.3
ASTEC is concerned that an overemphasis
on research categories
can give
are in wide currency.
Both predate
rise to misconceptions.
Two such misconceptions
Project
SCORE which, through its cautions
has endeavoured
to counteract
similar
effects.
One popular misconception
is that the universities
concentrate
exclusively
on
pure research.
The other misconception
is that pure research is rarely,
if ever, of
relevance
to national
objectives.
Contrary
to misconception,
the universities
engage
in the whole range of research activities
as appropriate’
to their general missions, as
do most institutions
that compose the Australian
research sector.
Many pure research
projects
can be shown to be relevant
to national
objectives
from their beginnings;
some are made relevant
as objectives
change rapidly in response to changes in the
political
and economic environments;
and some are relevant less directly
through their
impact on strategic
research or applied research programs.
There is little chance of
predicting,
at its outset, whether any pure research project will lead to benefits
for
the economic
and social
welfare
of the nation.
Judgments
about
the likely
contributions
and relevance
of a research project to national objectives
must be taken
by reference
to the particularities
of the project
itself,
not from the category
of
research into which it might be placed for statistical
purposes.
3.4
It also needs to be recognised
that what is called ‘research’
varies greatly
between
disciplines.
The mathematician
or theoretical
physicist,
for example,
conducts research through construction
and analysis of precisely-defined
intellectual
models which often have little
resemblance
to the world known to the rest of
learning.
The experimental
natural scientist
is more concerned with techniques
and
instrumentation
to allow the elucidation
of natural laws and properties
from study and
manipulation
of the physical
world.
The social scientist
is often involved
with
methods of survey, or analysis of documents
and events, so as to allow as much
information
and inference
as possible to be drawn from the great variabilities
of
society and social processes.
The humanist is largely devoted to scholarship
rather
than research,
through the study of diverse sources and the attempt
to draw wide-
4
ranging lessons from them. In all research
there is a search for order and broad
principle,
but the methods involved are vastly different.
This means that research in
different
disciplines
not only contributes
to different
objectives,
but does so in
different
ways. Such diversity
makes it difficult
to attempt
to relate categories
of
research to objectives.
THE
RESEARCH
SPECTRUM
3.5
Foilowing
these considerations
ASTEC believes that the most useful starting
point for the discussion of the two requests put to it by the Prime Minister
is the
notion of the ‘research spectrum’
advanced in its report ‘The Direct Funding of Basic
Research’ [5]. A research spectrum (Figure 3.1) means that considerable
overlaps can
occur between the categories
of research when these are viewed from the perspective
Particular
projects
may move
of national
relevance,
and their interdependencies.
backwards
and forwards
along the spectrum
at various stages of their progress.
3.6
Consequently,
in preparing
the list of national
objectives
to which basic
research can contribute,
ASTEC has considered that judgments
should be taken about
the particular
projects rather than with respect to the particular
category
into which
the project
might fall.
Further,
in evaluating
the extent
to which present funding
bodies are supporting
research relevant
to national objectives,
relevance
to national
objectives
has been identified
on a project by project (or, where relevant,
a program)
basis.
Relationship
between
Pure
Research
and Strategic
Research
3.7
In accordance
with the notion of a research spectrum,
no sharp dividing line
can be drawn between strategic
research and pure research.
The passage of time and
the course of events, including changes in perceptions
of national objectives,
can take
areas of basic research from one category
to another. For example,
2 researcher
in
a university
investigating
the biology of freshwater
organisms
which exude certain
hydrocarbons,
would, in the early i97Os, have been considered
to be engaged on pure
research.
However,
with the rise in price of petroleum
from 1973 onwards, such
research has become economically
important
in terms of efficient
use or alternative
sources of expensive
liquid fuels.
Such research is now often supported by missionoriented
funds such as those administered
by the National
Energy
Research,
Development
and Demonstration
Council.
3.8
The direct link between pure and strategic
research is less easy to define
in the social sciences and humanities
where break-throughs
do not occur to the same
degree as in the natural sciences.
Nevertheless
it is the constant
addition of new
knowledge,
for example
in the understanding
of social and economic
processes, of
literature
and tradition
that both assist policy formuiarion
and enrich our cultural
heritage,
which justifies
research in these areas.
3.9
Pure research
contributes
to practical
discoveries
by providing
the
background
of information
on which future practical
advances depend.
Solution of a
problem through strategic
research alone is not always possible, since it depends on
the state of knowledge in the particular
field concerned.
If a crucial link remains to
be discovered
by pure research no progress can be made until that work has been
done. A striking
example is provided by the lack of success attending
the massive
input of funds to cancer research in the United States since World War II. Some
crucial
discovery
still needs to be made and it could come from some apparently
unrelated
work: for example
on cell division in plants.
There must therefore
be a
5
FIGURE
THE
Tactical
Research
Immediately
Applicable
RESEARCH
Strategic
Research
3.1
SPECTRUM
Pure
Research
Highly
Abstract
Research
and Development
in science and technology
spreads over a wide spectrum
ranging from the highly
abstract,
such as in some branches of mathematics,
to immediately
applicable
work for example on the failure
As indicated
schematically
the main effort in pure research is
of a vital structural
component
of an aircraft.
towards the highly abstract end of the spectrum whereas tactical
work usually has immediately
applicable
goals.
However it is often the case that many of the results of pure work sooner or later find application
in strategic
Conversely
it is sometimes
the case that tactical
work reveals gaps in knowledge
of more
and tactical
areas.
Thus R&D in science and technology
is to be
abstract
principles
which need and receive further investigation.
considered
as a series of interlocking
and overlapping
activities.
balance
of funding
support
between
strategic
and pure
research.
3.10
In other words, useful discoveries
in the natural
sciences are not always
It may be impossible,
with existing
made by a direct attack on a perceived
problem.
knowledge,
to predict
the nature of a new process or product.
Basic knowledge
of
a biological
system, of a chemical
reaction,
or of the structure
of a metal,
for
example, may be needed before a novel line of progress can be identified.
This basic
knowledge
may have been obtained through pure research some years in advance of
On the other hand, on occasions,
strategic
a practical
application
being found.
far outstrips
the basic understanding
of
research,
or even technological
application,
processes or phenomena and the role of basic research becomes the filling in of gaps
Such basic research
may, in turn, provide
an indication
of the
in understanding.
future directions
for useful applications.
Two significant
new areas of research
and technology
provide
good
3.11
examples of this mutually
supportive
relationship
between basic research and practical
microelectronics
and recombinant
DNA.
Both were named in the recent
application:
report of the Committee
of Inquiry into Technological
Change in Australia
as most
is based on
significant
in terms of their impacts on Australia
[61. Microelectronics
The basic theoretical
research on
solid-state
electronic
devices, such as transistors.
semiconductors
was undertaken
in the late 193Os, and in the late 1940s experimental
work began to show ways in which the basic theory could be supported
and extended.
These experiments
were catalysed by the availability
of new materials
such as silicon
and germanium,
which became available
through the practical
need? for rectifier
diodes in World War II. At this stage, the possibility
of making a solid-state
amplifier
(the transistor)
was realised,
and this led to the need by device engineers
for purer,
better-controlled
materials.
This practical
need led in turn to physicists
and
metallurgists
being supplied with pure materials
which enabled them to take much
further their basic understanding
of the solid state.
There was then a steady advance
of both basic and practical
research until silicon became one of the best understood
of materials.
Such basic understanding
would not have been achieved
without
the
incentive
of device application.
This type of interaction
has continued
to date,
through
studies
of compound
semiconductors
and the development
of integrated
circuits,
with constant
interchange
between users of devices and basic knowledge.
Recombinant
DNA, had its origins in pure research into a fundamental
question of
biology, the nature and functions
of genetic material.
New techniques,
developed to
investigate
this question have now been applied to entirely
new ways of synthesising
medically
useful substances.
The potential
for application
of the techniques
is now
being realised and some of the research on recombinant
DNA is strategic
research and
some is applied research.
The world’s leading drug companies
are now investing
heavily in research and development
in this field.
3.12
The relative
importance
of these two pathways between basic research and
practical
application
is a matter
for differences
of opinion.
There is no doubt,
however,
that some of the most original
and far-reaching
practical
discoveries
have
been found and developed
from pure research
results.
The following
are some
examples.
Penicillin
was discovered
by pure research and oniy became available to the
community
after applied research
on the culture
of the mould and the
extraction
of the active agent and after experimental
development
leading
to large-scale
manufacture.
Nuclear energy became a viable technology
after years of pure research on
radioactivity
and the structure
of the atom.
Applied
research
and
experimental
development
then made it possible to construct
nuclear power
stations.
One of the herbicides
became practicable
only after pure research on an
unrelated problem had led to a suitable method for the preparation
of a key
intermediate.
Applied
research
converted
the process into a continuous
one; experimental
development
led to manufacture
of the product and to
its subsequent use in agriculture.
Investigations
in linguistics
which may at first appear to have a mainly
theoretical
or scholarly
interest
have often provided the essential
information for work of a very practical
nature,
for example
for bilingual
education
programs
for both Aboriginal
and migrant
communities,
for
remedial
work on speech and hearing defects, and for machine analysis and
synthesis of language with the eventual
goal of automatic
translation.
Relationship
between
Basic
Research
and Applied
Research
3.13
Applied
research
is necessary
to solve the problems
which arise in the
primary,
secondary
and tertiary
industries
and in the experimental
development
of
new products
and processes.
The dividing
line between basic research
and applied
research is not sharp, particularly
between
strategic
research
(the mission-oriented
Research methods, and much of the equipment
basic research) and applied research.
needed. are similar.
CONDUCT
OF RESEARCH
IN AUSTRALIA
3.14
In Australia,
basic research is carried out by universities,
by CSIRO, by the
by certain
other government
agencies
and
Australian
Atomic
Energy Commission,
and to a limited
extent
by industrial
departments
(Commonwealth
and State),
laboratories.
Research in universities
may be either pure, strategic,
or applied, the
proportion
of each category
being largely dependent
on the faculty
but also on the
and the relationships
established
with the
interests
of the individual
academics,
A high proportion
of the research carried out
profession or the industry being served.
in the professionally-oriented
faculties
such as engineering,
agriculture,
veterinary
science, architecture,
medicine and dentistry
is in the strategic
or applied parts of the
Strategic
research
in the social sciences is also conducted
in
research spectrum.
faculties
of education,
economics and arts, for example in relation to the development
of cognitive
skills, in the assessment and evaluation
of language abilities
and in the
development
of techniques
of policy analysis and evaluation.
In some other faculties,
research
towards
the pure end of the spectrum
often
for example
in science,
predominates.
Applied research, dealing with problems whose nature is clear and to which
3.15
a solution must be found largely on the basis of existing
fundamental
knowledge
and
using the tools available
by modification
of existing
technology,
is carried
out by
colleges
of advanced education
and to some extent by universities,
by CSIRO and
certain other Commonwealth
and State government
departments
and agencies, and by
industry.
If a problem
resists solution
using existing
fundamental
knowledge
and
available
techniques,
a program of basic research may be required.
BENEFITS
OF BASIC
RESEARCH
to a nation’s
Basic research
is the source of a wide range of benefits
3.16
These benefits
are
and its social and economic
activity.
culture,
its teaching,
Some
bur more often from the ‘pure’ end.
associated
with the whole spectrum,
benefits of basic research are, ASTEC believes, concerned with the conduct of pure
research for its own sake.
3.17
endorses:
The President
of the Royal
Society
has recently
stated
a view which
ASTEC
Science in its pure form . . . is, of course, a branch of culture just as much
as music and the arts and to it as to these other branches government
In the case of science, however,
it is not a wholly
stands as a patron.
disinterested
patron. For government
is about power, and from science, or
rather from scientific
research, come discoveries
in which lie the seeds of
Moreover,
in a technological
age the promotion
of science
future power.
is necessary in order that trained scientific
manpower will be available
to
Government
therefore
is and must be prepared
meet the country’s
needs.
to devote substantial
sums to the promotion
of science [7].
This statement
could be broadened to include intellectual
inquiry concerned with new
knowledge and the deeper understanding
of society and culture - and indeed to include
intellectual
inquiry over the whole spectrum of higher learning as a national goal in
its own right.
3.18
Pure research in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities
is an
intellectual
activity
capable of taxing the creativity
and intelligence
of the very best
scholars.
It depends for its progress on a rigorous system of self-imposed
discipline
and ethics which offers much to other activities
of society,
such as policy-making,
where fact is required to assist judgment.
In common with other endeavours which
have challenged
man over the ages, such as exploration,
the rigours and disappointments of research are balanced by- the excitement
of achievement
and the prestige
which flows from its recognition.
Such achievement
and prestige do not lie only with
the researcher
or scholar; they are reflected
in the society in which he works and by
the international
acclaim which such research attracts.
The nature of the intellectual
activity
of pure research,
the questioning
of fact and dogma, of assumption
and
tradition,
are reflected
in its positive influence
on the enrichment
and renewal of our
civilisation.
This is particularly
true of research
in the humanities
and social
sciences,
which does more than merely add to the sum of knowledge;
rather it
constantly
challenges
and reforms the bases of that knowledge,
crucially
affecting
the
ways in which those subjects will eventually
be taught in schools and universities.
Its
impact thus spreads back into the community
at large.
Research is an activity
which
enjoys the support and patronage
of all but the most impov-erished
societies.
3.19
Basic research is to some extent a cultural
activity,
and leads to cultural
benefits.
Such research in the natural
sciencaial
sciences or the humanities
involves
intellectual
activity
aimed
at observing,
comparing
or codifying;
in
consequence
man improves his understanding
of the world around him and his ability
to control it and to enjoy it.
As one authority
put it:
Even in our pragmatic
culture,
usefulness
is not the sole criterion
of merit.
Basic research has a much broader justification
in that the quest for knowledge
is one of man’s most characteristic
and vital urges; the desire to know is perhaps
what most sharply separates him from beast.
Most of human history can be read
as an incessant query, the search for answers to unceasing questions:
What is the
stuff of the universe, and why; what is life, and how did it start?
It is properly
mankind’s heritage
that knowledge is an essential aspiration
- to give insight into
the circumstances
of our existence,
and to give us freedom from fear of natural
forces. To put it simply;
human beings want bread, and they want freedom, and
some of them want to know [8].
3.20
such as a
to further
the ‘global
Asia and
excellence
Basic research
also contributes
more directly
to national
cultural
values
perceived
obligation
to study and record Australia’s
unique flora and fauna,
Australian
standing in research and scholarship,
to make a contribution
to
pool’ of knowledge,
especially
in the geographical
region of South-East
Oceania,
and to develop national
prestige
through acknowledged
fields of
such as astronomy.
3.21
Basic research is also an international
enterprise
to which all countries can
contribute,
and Australians
working in Australia
have made many notable contributions, with consequent
increase
in the prestige
of Australia
in other nations.
Much
Australian
research which has contributed
to the then-existing
international
store of
knowledge,
returned later as part of new technology
or new sciences to be applied to
has been able to make these
new Australian
problems
of later years. Australia
contributions
and to benefit
from discoveries
made overseas only because we have
maintained
a healthy flow of young scholars, scientists
and technologists,
working in
well-equipped
laboratories
and centres
of learning
under the guidance
of more
that
are themselves
in the forefront
of
experienced
colleagues,
on problems
intellectual
endeavour.
It is sometimes
argued that we can purchase new technologies;
but new technologies
are not always for sale;
and in any case a new technology
unless people with sufficient
knowledge
of its principles
cannot be used in Australia
and perception
of its value can put it into practice.
Basic research also plays a vital role in teaching
and in preparing
students
3.22
The pursuit of knowledge,
and the study
to contribute
to the improvement
of society.
of physical,
biological,
social and cultural
phenomena,
are part of the fundamental
purposes of universities,
which produce future generations
of researchers
and scholars.
The performance
of research
and scholarship
in tertiary
education
institutions
Research
in classical
archaeology
contributes
to the educational
process itself.
provides
an example.
The classical
civilisations
are the background
for our own
We can read about these civilisations
in textbooks
and journals,
but the
culture.
subject comes to life when it is taught by someone who is actively
engaged in making
Such research therefore
contributes
to enhancement
of the quality
of
discoveries.
teaching.
Staff engaged in research and other scholarly
pursuits are better able to
encourage a spirit of critical
enquiry in students, and to demonstrate
the evolution of
disciplines
as new knowledge and interpretations
become available.
The highly-skilled
10
professional
manpower
now needed in industry
and government
are trained
in our
universities
and colleges
of advanced
education,
where
research
performed
in
association
with their teaching
has played an important
part in transferring
the
Through basic research
newest knowledge
to industrial
and administrative
practice.
some of our most able scholars have found expression for their abilities
in Australia,
and their retention
in this country
has contributed
to the development
in some
universities
of centres of excellence
by international
standards.
Basic research can also lead to social benefits. Research in the medical and
3.23
Unless normal bodily
dental sciences leads to understanding
ofily
functions.
processes are understood
at the cellular
and molecular
level, the nature of disease
processes, that is deviation
from normality,
cannot possibly be understood.
Thus basic
research
is the only pathway
to new (and frequently
cheaper)
methods for the
Research on the relationships
between
prevention,
treatment
or control of disease.
social groups, on industrial
relations,
on the nature of behaviour,
on the urban and
regional
environment,
on conservation
and the control
of pollution,
on population
growth and movement
and on the effects of migration,
can also contribute
to social
cohesion and the avoidance
of social conflict.
Finally,
basic research can lead to direct economic benefits.
Research in
3.24
the biological
and physical sciences has led to improvements
and innovations
which,
over the years, have had an enormous effect
on the rural industries
and, through
Plant and animal
breeding
and
them, on the economic
well-being
of Australia.
selection
studies have produced new and improved
varieties
of crops, pastures and
livestock,
suitable
to Australian
conditions,
which
have resulted
in very large
increases in productivity.
Many rural industries
rely on research to maintain control
of weeds, pests and diseases at levels which allow economic production
to continue.
Studies of soil fertility
have led to the identification
of deficiencies
and problems of
toxicity,
and have made it possible for vast areas of land which were unsuitable
for
crops or pastures,
to be developed
and made productive.
The economic
benefits
of
these and other findings of research have been large.
3.25
Basic research has played, and will continue to play, a similar role in the
development
of manufacturing
industry in Australia.
In its initial
review of the state
of science and technology,
published in its report entitled
‘Science and Technology
in
Australia
1977-78’,
ASTEC
expressed
the view that
‘The long-term
survival
of
manufacturing
in Australia
requires
a high level
of modern
technology
and of
technological
innovation’
[9]. It went on to say that ‘Research
and development
on
behalf of manufacturing
industry,
or by industry
itself,
is the key factor
in the
maintenance
of technology
and in the development
of innovations’
[lo]. Considerable
evidence,
both empirical
and from case studies,
links research,
development
and
innovation
to high productivity
and efficiency,
to improved international
competitiveness, to the creation of new products and new industries,
and to increased employment
opportunities
[11,12].
4.
DERIVATION
NATIONAL
OF NATIONAL
GOALS
AND
OB JECTIVES
GOALS
4.1
Most societies
have broad goals, sometimes
explicit
but more
implicit,
for which a consensus could be obtained.
A set of goals for Australia
1980s might be:
11
often
in the
.
security
(safety
disasters);
prosperity
according
who, for
against
external
attack,
and protection
against
(a stable or rising standard
of living,
subject
to
to effort
and capacity,
but with systematic
support
various reasons, might otherwise
live in poverty);
natural
variations
for those
social
cohesion
(a harmonious
society
without
cleavage
along ethnic,
religious
or class lines, and with provision
for peaceful
change in policies
and institutions);
community
welfare
(provision
for
physical,
care of the disadvantaged
ional achievement);
cultural
sciences
mental
and
for educat-
and scientific
advance (a high quality of creative
effort in the arts,
and technologies,
and a wider understanding
of them).
4.2
Such a list .of national
goals
opposition
because they are enunciated
at
from such generality
as to render them of
any attempt
to assess the contributions
of
national
goals must depend on appropriate
activities
which need to be undertaken
in
DERIVATION
community
health
both
and disabled,
opportunity
OF NATIONAL
OBJECTIVES
would be unlikely
to occasion
spirited
a broad level.
Their acceptability
comes
little use for policy purposes.
To be useful,
programs and publicly-funded
activities
to
national
objectives.
Objectives
comprise
order to move towards or to sustain goals.
ON WHICH
RESEARCH
MAY
BEAR
4.3
By their very nature national
objectives
will be somewhat
contentious.
Differing
viewpoints
mean that members of society are each unable to endorse certain
objectives,
and will favour
others which have not been advanced.
ASTEC has
consulted
widely
in preparing
suggested
objectives.
A first
draft
statement
of
objectives
on which science and technology
bear, was prepared
and circulated
for
comment
by a small number of eminent national
experts.
Some of these, in turn,
consulted
more widely
in preparing
their
responses.
A revised
statement
was
discussed at a meeting
of ASTEC and comments
were sought from government
departments
and agencies.
A third draft was discussed again by the Council, and then
circulated
more widely for comment by about 80 business, government
and academic
experts.
The result of this process is the list of national objectives
now advanced.
Consultations
and discussions are continuing,
and because objectives
must to some
extent
reflect
the aspirations
of the times, they should be subject to continuous
review.
ASTEC believes, however, that these objectives
have sufficient
support, and
are sufficiently
detailed,
to be a useful start in evaluating
the contribution
of basic
research to them.
Each objective
reflects
a particular
Australian
aspiration,
need, opportunity
4.4
or responsibility,
although
some might be endorsed by other countries
as equally
Each is of national
as distinct
from regional
or local
appropriate
for them.
importance.
12
4.5
Some of the objectives
below are ‘socio-economic’?
defined
as being
concerned
with economic
and social welfare,
security,
foreign
relations
and social
Some are ‘cultural’,
defined as being creative activities
of.the human mind.
cohesion.
could be made, its value in assessing the contribution
of
Although such classification
basic research to objectives
would be limited,
because of the overlapping
nature of
Just as there is a continuous
spectrum
of research
with indistinct
objectives.
boundaries between categories,
so the spectrum of objectives
is continuous,
and it is
impossible to say where cultural,
social and economic objectives
start, and end, within
that spectrum.
4.6
For example,
work which is aimed at the cultural
objective
of furthering
our self-understanding
through
an examination
of our past can lead to valuable
insights
into the root causes of contemporary
social and economic
problems.
A
similar
point has been made earlier
in this report
concerning
the socially
and
economically
beneficial
results
of scientific
research
which, at the time it was
had no aim other than the pureiy- cultural
one of advancement
of
undertaken,
Conversely,
research aimed at particular
social and economic objectives
knowledge.
can often lead to new insights and directions
for research at the purer end of the
spectrum,
and thereby contribute
indirectly
to cultural
objectives.
4.7
This combination
of uncertainties
in distinguishing
both types of research
and types. of objectives
reinforces
ASTEC’s
belief
about the inappropriateness
of
categorising
research
for the purposes
of this report,
and extends
it to the
The value of contribution
of research to objectives
must
categorisation
of objectives.
be derived case-by-case,
for both research and objectives.
Furthermore
it would be
unfortunate
if these objectives
were regarded
as unchanging
instructions
for a
especially
as allowance
must be made for exciting
new and
research
program,
imaginative
research which does not seem to fit any of the objectives
at the time,
the
basis
of new industrial
development
e.g.
but which
subsequently
becomes
molecular
biology’s
relation
to new methods of drug production.
5.
NATIONAL
(9
OBJECTIVES
The Natural
TO WHICH
Environment
BASIC
and Indigenous
Understand
the physiology,
Australia’s
fauna and flora,
- particuiarly
those unique
RESEARCH
BiologicaI
CAN
CONTRIBUTE
Resources
behaviour,
ecology
and distribution
of
and the ecology of natural environments
or important
to -Australia.
Improve
understanding
of the ecological
and agricultural
and pastoral
activities.
relationships
between
soils
Understand
the impact
of human activity
on the indigenous
fauna,
flora and natural
ecosystems,
and devise and apply, management
practices
to minimise
adverse
effects
and ensure preservation
of
species and habitats
in balance with human needs.
Understand
the impacr
on man of human activity
and its
products,
and develop means of alleviating
adverse effects.
13
waste
(ii)
The Atmosphere
Improve understanding
meteorology,
cyclones,
Improve
short
of atmospheric
processes, particularly
tropical
climate
variability
and urban meteorology.
and long term
weather
Improve control of damaging atmospheric
extent of pollution
of the atmosphere.
(iii)
Soils and Land
Water
.
and decrease
of the ecology of soil micro-flora
of soil minerals.
Develop a more complete
and a fuller appreciation
(iv)
processes
the
Use
Improve understanding
and of the interaction
Develop
conserve
forecasting.
and -fauna,
assessment of soils as a natural
of their potential
use.
and apply improved
soils against erosion
land use management
and salinity
and maintain
resource,
practices
to
their fertility.
Resources
Develop and apply improved
management
practices,
integrated
with
land use planning
and management,
which reverse
trends in the
deterioration
of water quality
and associated
land resources.
Devise
and apply improved
practices
to minimise
water
use and
eliminate
waste, and develop
alternative
water
resources
such as
desalination,
re-use, and the maximum use of water from high-rainfall
areas.
Improve
understanding
of subterranean
tained yield management
and utilisation.
(v)
Minerals
and Energy
resources,
Ocean
sus-
of the occurrence
of mineral deposits, includdevelop
and adapt advanced
techniques
for
resources
assessment
and exploration,
both
Develop and adapt improved
technology
fuel) extraction
and processing.
for mineral
(including
Increase the local use of Australian
energy resources,
of processing
prior to export of minerals and energy
(vi)
their
Resources
Improve understanding
ing fossil fuels, and
mineral
and energy
onshore and offshore.
.
water
fossil
and the degree
resources.
Resources
Understand
the processes and circumstances
leading
of ocean resources,
and the effects
of exploitation
supporting
those resources.
14
to the occurrence
on the systems
Develop
Australian
fisheries
to sustainable
harvesting
new species and in new areas.
higher
yields,
including
Improve understanding
of the occurrence,
effects
and control
various types of poliution
affecting
ocean resources.
(vii)
Primary
Industry
Maximise
maintain
.
the efficiency
of agricultural
and forestry
production
and
oprimal production
rates for domestic
and export markets.
Improve containment
and countering
of existing pests and diseases
exclude further
foreign threats,
maintaining
readiness to combat
which should enter Australia.
Seek new
systematic
commercial
Increase
tropical
(viii)
of the
Manufacturing
Develop
develop
and better
agricultural
examination
of native
use in Australia.
expertise
and
and sub-tropical
and
any
and forestry
products
through a
and exotic plants and animals not in
experience
climates.
in
primary
production
in
arid,
Industry
manufacturing
activities
which
Australian
natural resources.
are based
on, or which
can
Develop manufacturing
industries
which have scale advantages;
take
advantage
of Australian
expertise;
have export
potential;
make
products important
to national
interests
such as health and defence.
Develop
product
competitiveness.
(ix)
and process
innovation
to enhance
efficiency
and
Communications
Develop
and provide
reasonable commercial,
Australian
community.
new communications
government,
social
and reliability
services
and cultural
to meet
the
needs of the
Maintain
privacy
Improve
services
Develop
enhance
and .maintain
efficient,
diverse
broadcasting
services
the entertainment
and cultural
needs of all Australians.
to remote
15
of communications.
and rural
areas.
to
(x)
(xi)
Construction
.
Improve
the safety
.
Increase
demands
the responsiveness
placed upon it.
Improve
technology
and efficiency
transfer
of the construction
and flexibility
on a national
industry.
of the industry
to meet the
basis.
Transport
Develop
through
derived
and use more energy-efficient
transport
systems, particularly
more efficient
use of existing
fuels and substitution
of fuels
from less-scarce,
and local, resources.
Devise and apply improved
traffic
management
techniques
to reduce
costs and pollution
and improve
safety and energy efficiency.
Develop
and implement
a more effective
road safety
program
embracing
education,
highway
engineering,
traffic
management
and
vehicle design.
Develop
improved
methods
and products
for use in the design,
construction
and testing of roads, rail systems and transport
vehicles
of all kinds.
(xii)
Energy
Production
and Use
Use existing
oil, gas and coal resources more effectively
conservation
and the development
of more fuel-efficient
power production.
by enhanced
transport
and
Achieve
maximum
practicable
self-sufficiency
in liquid
fuels
substitution
of other energy sources and the economic
production
alternative
liquid fuels.
Further develop for Australian
needs other economic
addition to liquid fuels, of renewable energy resources
crops and forests, solar and wind energy.
Develop
(xiii)
National
nuclear
fuels
and safe methods
of nuclear
by
of
applications,
in
including hydro,
waste
disposal.
Security
Develop and maintain
an understanding
ional defence environment
of Australia,
ledge of neighbouring
nations.
of the strategic
and operatincluding
an intimate
know-
Identify- emerging
science and technology
which is likely to be most
and future
defence
needs, and
applicable
to Australia’s
present
monitor
and participate
in the development
of resulting
military
technology
which meets those needs.
16
Identify
potential
ability
to predict
disastrous
results.
(xiv)
International
for local or regional
and possib!y prevent
natural disasters and develop
such events,
or limit
their
Relations
Facilitate
the international
exchange
of scientific
and technical
knowledge
and information3
and the access by Australians
to the
world’s science and technology.
Contribute
to the global pool of knowledge,
particularly
in fields in
which Australia
has special advantage,
and thereby
enhance Australia’s national
prestige.
Provide assistance,
particularly
less developed
nations.
(xv)
scientific
and technical
assistance,
to
Health
Develop understanding
and. disabilities
which
and design programs
suffering
from them.
Develop
rehabilitation
of the causes of currently
intractable
diseases
seriously affect mortality
and morbidity
rates,
aimed at prevention,
cure and the relief
of
techniques
to aid the disabled.
Reduce
the incidence
of diseases and injuries,
particularly
those
relating to the Australian
work and lifestyle,
and those of Aboriginal
and other minority
groups.
Improve mental health, including
underlying
coping behaviour.
Achieve
including
(xvi)
Education
the understanding
of the mechanisms
more cost-effective
use of health care services
the application
of new technologies.
and systems,
and Training
Develop and maintain
a skilled and professionally
which is adequate
for the economic
development
capable of achieving
excellence
in research.
Improve
identified
our understanding
of
obstacles to learning.
the
education
qualified
workforce
of Australia
and
process
and overcome
Enhance the. quality of teaching
at tertiary
institutions,
by providing
opportunities
for lectures
to keep in the forefront
of research
and
scholarship
in their respective
disciplines.
17
(xvii)
National
Research
Capability
Develop
and maintain
a national
research
capability
to meet the
requirements
of future strategic
and applied
research,
to assess the
desirability
for Australia
of new technologies,
and to respond to
future, unexpected
demands on the research system (as has happened
in energy).
(xviii)
Social
Welfare
Facilitate
groups.
Improve
the
adaptation
the delivery
of
disadvantaged
and utilisation
persons
of welfare
and
minority
services.
Improve
understanding
of welfare
problems
in Australian
society,
including
delinquency,
unemployment,
and social incompetence,
and
devise methods for the prevention
or treatment
of these problems.
.
(xix)
Ensure the efficiency,
fairness and objective
administration
of law and
order and other areas of government
intervention
in the community.
Social
.
Understanding
Increase the level of understanding
each other’s cultural
backgrounds.
and tolerance
Australians
have for
Increase understanding
of the societies
and customs of neighbouring
nations
and those with
whom Australia
enjoys
trade
and other
intercourse.
Increase
understanding
of Australian
society,
contemporary
and of its changing social values.
.
(xx)
Increase understanding
of, and devise methods
social conflict,
e.g. industrial
disputes.
both
historical
to minimise,
and
sources of
Culture
Develop Australian
literature,
standard,
while maintaining
Reach a
recognised
music, arts and sciences, to the highest
a distinctive
national
flavour.
level
of intellectual
‘and cultural
achievement
that
as equivalent
to the highest international
standards.
.
Increase understanding
of the cultural
background
from
ralian literature,
music and the arts have emerged.
which
.
Increase
nations.
neighbouring
understanding
of
18
the
cultural
heritage
of
is
Aust-
6.
BASIC
RESEARCH
AND
OBJECTIVES
Neither basic research nor national objectives
can, in this report, be divided
6.1
There is no clear boundary
between pure basic
into clearly distinguished
components.
research and strategic
basic research,
and none between cultural
objectives
(in the
sense used here, of creative
activities
of the human mind) and socio-economic
objectives
(concerned
with advancing the economic and social welfare of the nation,
which includes not only community
welfare and economic growth and distribution,
but
Some objectives,
which have the
also security,
foreign relations
and social cohesion).
cultural
implication
of promoting
research for its own sake, also have clear socioeconomic implications.
Objectives
to do with education,
and development
of research
capability,
are of this kind.
Thus all research of the type considered
in this report
may be said to contribute
on this level to socio-economic
national
objectives.
This type of contribution
of basic research
to national
socio-economic
6.2
It is predicated
upon the virtue
of
objectives
is, however,
somewhat
indirect.
for example
in the researcher
research
in building
up some sort of ‘capability’,
himself,
in research institutions,
and in professional
manpower
whose education
has
These various capabilities
then
been enhanced by the performance
of some research.
stand ready to apply their research, or research-derived,
skills to contemporary
social
and economic problems.
While ASTEC recognises
the importance
of this type of contribution
of
6.3
basic research to objectives,
the further analysis in this report is more specific.
This
analysis is based on consideration
of those research projects which contribute
directly
to socio-economic
objectives,
in the sense of directly
furthering
those objectives,
or
directly
attacking
those problems
which obstruct the attainment
of objectives.
The
proportion
of research project funding which goes to support projects of this kind will
represent
a lower limit
of the contribution
of basic research
funding to national
objectives.
6.4
Most Commonwealth
research
project
funding
schemes
have terms
of
reference
which align their activities
with areas such as energy, primary
industry,
water resources etc. in which the objectives
are clearly socio-economic.
There are a
few exceptions
most notably the .Australian
Research Grants Scheme, where this is
not so, and it has been necessary
to assign projects
to either socio-economic
or
cultural
objectives
on a project-by-project
basis.
The results of this analysis for
research funds which either individually
(or in the case of the rural industry research
funds collectively)
supported
more than $lmillion
worth of project research on latest
available
figures, are presented
below.
6.5
Rural Industry Research Funds. The statutory
rural industry trust accounts
administered
by the Department
of Primary
Industry
received
a total allocation
in
1980-81 of $29.2million.
Of this, an estimated
$27.7million
has flowed to support
research projects (the remainder
having gone to administration
of the funds) which all
contribute
to socio-economic
objectives
in primary
industry.
All the
research
projects
supported
were perceived
to belong to the strategic
or tactical
problemoriented
parts of the research spectrum.
19
6.6
The National
Energy Research,
Development
and Demonstration
Energy.
Program allocated
$17.4million
to research and development
projects in 1980-81. All
research projects so supported contributed
to national socio-economic
objectives
under
the headings of ‘Minerals
and Energy Resources’
and ‘Energy Production
and Use’ in
the list of objectives
of Section 4.
Water Research.
6.7
will distribute
$1.56million
of this funding contributes
The Commonwealth
Water Research Fund distributed
to water research projects
in the 1980-83 triennium.
to national
socio-economic
objectives.
or
All
6.8
The Rural Credits
Development
Fund, operated
by the Reserve
Bank of
Australia,
funds research projects
aimed at the promotion
of primary
production.
In
1980-81, $1.3million
was so distributed,
supporting
national socio-economic
objectives.
Australian
Research
Grants Committee.
ARGC grants for 1981 totalled
$zmillion.
These grants were made to 1,453 projects,
whose choice was based on the
ARGC’s
criterion
of excellence
alone, without
regard to priorities
in scientific
or
academic
discipline
or potential
usefulness in the long or short term.
Nevertheless
the proposals made to ARGC are submitted
to assessors who are asked to consider
Similar work in other countries
them according to the highest international
standards.
is taken into account in assessing the proposals so that local standards alone are not
allowed to dictate the choice.
ARGC grants have been made essentially
across a wide
range of the national
objectives
of Section 5. The grants have been analysed on a
project-by-project
basis, and the following
conclusions
have been drawn:
about 40% of ARGC
objectives;
.
projects
contribute
a further
25% of the ARGC-supported
but potential
application
able indirect
ves;
directly
to specific
research projects
to socio-economic
socio-economic
have an identifinational
objecti-
the remaining
35% of the ARGC-supported
projects
do not contribute
but to cultural
objectives
including
directly
to socio-economic
objectives,
topics (such as those on the Australian
flora and fauna, astronomy,
and
Australian
history) which are of special interest
to Australia;
the role of
these projects
in providing
the basis of pure research
on which future
innovation
partly depends, should not be overlooked.
The Australian
Marine
Sciences and Technologies
Advisory
Committee’s
6.10
Funding Allocation
Panel disbursed $Zmillion
on projects in marine research in 198081. This funding is considered
to have been provided entirely
to projects related to
national
social and economic
objectives.
6.11
National
Health and Medical Research Council.
The NH&MRC
distributed
$18million
for medical
research
in 1980-81, from the Medical
Research
Endowment
Fund.
This funding is used to support research projects,
for block grants to research
and to maintain
the Council’s
own
for scholarships
and fellowships,
institutions,
Much of the funding supports basic biomedical
research.
A small
units.
research
proportion
of ‘NH&MRC-.supported
research
projects
do not contribute
directly
to
but all may be expected
to contribute
to the
specific
socio-economic
objectives,
health of the community
in the short or long term.
20
In total, only about 15% o f funds from the above schemes support research
6.12
objectives,
but some of which may
which is not directly
related to socio-economic
nonetheless
have potential
for application
to those objectives.
The remainder
supports
research largely from the applied and strategic
parts of the research spectrum
aimed
at generating
the new knowledge
necessary
to deal with Australia’s
social and
economic
questions and problems.
ASTEC believes that the continuous
nature of the research spectrum,
and
6.13
the intimate
symbiosis
which exists among its parts, from the purest to the most
applied research and back again, means that any research system which is to thrive,
and to produce results, must maintain a balanced development
of its parts and of the
different
types and methods of research
or scholarship
which are characteristic
of
different
disciplines.
Lack of attention
to, and failure to nurture,
any part of the
system will mean that the whole system could wither,
and cease to be productive.
Should this happen, for instance through lack of support for research at the pure end
.of the spectrum,
then even that research which is generally
perceived
as contributing
directly
to social and economic objectives
will, eventually,
cease to be cost-effective.
Against
this background,
ASTEC believes
that the amount of funding,
principally
through ARGC and NH&MRC,
devoted to this pure research,
is small in comparison
with the project funding from other schemes.
Given that funding from these schemes
goes to the best researchers,
scholars and projects on a competitive
basis judged by
international
standards,
there is need for real increase in the funds to maintain
the
vigour and productivity
of excellent
basic research and scholarship
in Australia,
and
thereby the balance of the research system.
21
REFERENCES
1.
ASTEC, ‘Science
AGPS, Canberra,
and Technology
1978.
2.
ASTEC,
3.
Reference
4.
Department
Development
5.
Reference
6.
Committee
of Inquiry into Technological
1980.
1, pages 12-15. AGPS, Canberra,
7.
Todd,
Royal
8.
John Verhoogen,
National
Goals’.
9.
Reference
I, paragraph
6.1.10, page
10.
Reference
I, paragraph
6.1.10, page 95.
11.
UK Ranga Chand, ‘Does
Review,
Summer 1978.
12.
Edwin Mansfield
‘Basic Research and Productivity
Increase
American
Economic
Review, 70, (1980), No 5, pp 863-873.
‘The Direct
Funding
2, paragraph
in Australia
of Basic
1977-78’
Research’
AGPS,
Presidential
Lord.
Society.
lA,
Canberra,
Chapter
5.
1979.
10.9, page 68.
of Science and the Environment
‘Project
in Australia
1976-77’. AGPS, Canberra,
2, paragraph
Volume
2.10, page
Address
SCORE.
1980.
Research
8.
Change
in Australia,
to the 1980 Annual
General
Report,
Volume
Meeting
of the
‘Federal
Support of Basic Research’
in ‘Basic Research
National
Academy
of Sciences, Washington,
1965.
R&D
and
and
95.
Boost
22
Industrial
Growth?’
Canadian
Business
in Manufacturing’
APPENDIX
MAJOR
1
RESEARCH-FUNDING
BODIES FUNDED IN WHOLE
BY THE COMMONWEALTH
GOVERNMENT
OR IN PART
Australian
Research Grants Committee
(ARGC)
National
Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC)
Education
Research and Development
Committee
(ERDC)
Radio Research Board
Electrical
Research Board
Rural Industry Research Funds
Chicken Meat Research
Dairying
Research
Dried Fruits Research
Fishing Industry Research
Meat Research
Pig Industry Research
Poultry
Industry Research
Tobacco Industry Research
Wheat Research
Wool Research
Oil Seeds Research
Rural Credits Development
Fund
National
Energy Research,
Development
and Demonstration
Council (NERDDC)
Australian
Institute
of Nuclear Science and Engineering
(AINSE)
Australian
Institute
of Aboriginal
Studies
Australian
Road Research Board
Criminology
Research Council
Commonwealth
Water Research Fund
Australian
Marine Sciences and Technologies
Advisory
Committee
Funding Advisory
Panel
23
APPENDIX
ASTEC
WORKING
2
PARTY
ACTIVITIES
A2.1
In March 1979 the Council appointed a Sub-Committee
policy tools and sources of information
necessary
capacity
to advise on the application
of science and technology
objectives.
The ‘Strategic
Role Committee’
has the following
develop
the
Professor
Sir Rutherford
Mr A.W.
Hamer,
Robertson
company
director
(Convener),
Deputy
and a member
or Working Party to
to improve
ASTEC’s
to national needs and
membership:
Chairman
of ASTEC
of ASTEC;
until
27 February
1981;
Dr P.S. Lang,
grazier
and a member
of ASTEC;
Professor Sir Gustav Nossal, Director
of the Walter
Medical Research and a member of ASTEC;
Mr L.G. Peres, Reader
member of ASTEC.
in Political
Science
and Eliza
(University
of
Hall
Institute
Melbourne)
and
of
a
The Government’s
request to ‘prepare
a statement
of national
objectives
for research’
and ‘to advise it on the extent
to which the programs
of financial
assistance provided by the various government
funding bodies are meeting the national
objectives’
was referred to the Strategic
Role Committee.
This Committee
was asked
to carry
out the necessary
studies and consultations
and to draft
a Report
for
For this purpose the Committee
was enlarged by the
consideration
by the Council.
addition
of Professor Sir Geoffrey
Badger.
A2.2
The Strategic
Role Committee
had already prepared a draft statement
of
A2.3
This was revised
and made more specific
in a series of
national
objectives.
consultations
with individuals
from business and from science and with representatives
from government
departments
and agencies who attend ASTEC meetings.
A draft Report was discussed
A2.4
was also forwarded
for comment
to:
by the full
Council
on 14 October
1980 and
the Academy
of Social Sciences in Australia;
the Australian
Academy
of Humanities;
the Australian
Academy
of Science;
the Australian
Academy
of Technological
Sciences;
the Australian
Conference
of Principals
of Colleges of Advanced Education;
and
the Inter-Universities
Committee
on Research of the Australian
Vice-Chancellors’
Committee.
Representatives
of these bodies met with Sir Rutherford
Robertson
Badger on 3 December
1980. Most of these representatives
later
comments.
24
and Sir Geoffrey
provided
written
The draft Report was revised as resuit
A2.5
The new draft ivas then circulated
for comment
of these discussions
by:
and comments.
the Department
of Health (National
Health and Medical and Research Council);
the Department
of National
Development
and Energy (National
Energy Research
Development
and Demonstration
Council);
the Department
of Primary
Industry (Rural Industries
Research Funds);
the Department
of Science and Technology
(Australian
Research
G-rants Committee):
the Tertiary
Education
Commission.
A2.6
Further revision occurred as a result of these further consultations
and of
further
consultation
with representatives
of the Academies.
The revised draft was
discussed by the full Councii on 14 April 1981. The final version was prepared in the
light of the Council’s
comments.
25