Researcher mobility – mid and late
career researchers: an
Australian Academy of Science
perspective
Nancy Pritchard
Director - International Programs
Jakarta, 1 December 2015
APEC Researcher Mobility Workshop
• Typically independent organisations
• Advance science and evidence in policy making
• Members are selected from the best scientists in their
countries
• Scientific excellence is represented across disciplines
• Have credibility to inform public and policy makers about
problems and solutions
• Constituted as independent bodies
Academies of Science
About the Academy
• established in 1954 (by Australian Fellows of
the Royal Society)
• approximately 502 elected Fellows
• 30 Corresponding members
• 20 new Fellows elected each year
Australian Academy of Science
Promote science through a range of activities in four major program areas:
• recognition of excellence
• education and public awareness
• science policy
• international relations
Objectives of the Academy
International partnerships are important
• Help us contribute to new knowledge for all humankind
• Find solutions to major global problems
• Enhance economic productivity & competitiveness through innovation
International engagement
Australian Academy of Science programs
• Australia represents 0.3% of world’s population and produces ~ 3% or world’s science
• Promote Australian scientific capabilities
• Facilitates access to international research programs
• Contributes expertise and leadership in regional and global science
• Workshops and symposia to identify collaborative research opportunities
• Exchange and mobility programs for early, mid and late career researchers to establish strategic international partnerships at bilateral/regional level
International engagement – mobility is a must
• Access to knowledge
• Improve research quality
• Higher global profile
• Sharing expertise
• New & extended networks
• Large project experience
• Funding leverage
• Science diplomacy
• Open up markets
Benefits of international collaborations
Partner: Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
• Mobility (exchange) programs 1980-2011.
• 600 scientists from each side
• access and transfer of knowledge, new technologies and
innovation
• For individual researchers widened their perspectives,
opportunities and experience
• Strengthened linkages
• Establishment long term collaborations
and projects
• USE OF CHINESE RESEARCH DIASPORA
Case study: China
Case study: Japan
Partner: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
• Mobility programs 1978 – to date
• JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships (12-24 months). Quota = 15
• JSPS Invitation Fellowships (short term: 14 to 60 days). Quota = 8
• JSPS Invitation Fellowships (long term: 2-10 months). Quota = 1
• Bilateral exchange program (short term: 2-4 weeks). Quota ~ 6
• HOPE Meetings since 2008. Meetings with Nobel Laureates and
advance S&T in the Asia/Pacific Region. ~ 6 researchers.
• Australian Government funded the Academy to undertake study to
explore possibility of establishing an Australian-JSPS Alumni Association.
Expected to be launched 2016.
Partner: Indonesian Academy of Sciences (AIPI)
•Activities 1995 – to date
•Indonesia-Australia symposium on:
- human health, lifestyle diseases, emerging diseases
- agriculture and food security
- environmental sciences
•2015 Kavli Frontiers of Science
symposium with the USA
•2014 visit to Australia of delegation
•of the Indonesian Young Academy
Case study: Indonesia
Australian Early- and Mid-Career Researcher Forum
The voice of Australia’s future scientific leaders
• The Forum represents EMCRs up to 15 years post-PhD across science, technology,
engineering & mathematics
• National voice of Australia’s emerging scientists: Advises the Australian Academy of
Science on policy issues; Provides recommendations to government & decision makers; Engages
with funding bodies on research issues
• Addresses issues that effect EMCRs careers: Gender equity and diversity; Job security
and funding; Education and professional development; Engaging with industry and innovation
• http://www.science.org.au/emcr-forum
Early and mid career researcher (EMCR) forum
Survey responses to date:
• More funding for EMCRs: 57%
• More funding in their filed: 52%
• Family and personal reasons: 25%
• More options for industry positions: 24%
• The only jobs in my field are overseas: 20%
• A better work-life balance: 16%
Conclusions
Australian Academy of Science perspective:
Benefits
• Access to large international projects
• Joint projects/joint research centres
• Exchange student agreements
• Invitations to give lectures at international conferences
• Joint appointments at universities
• Joint funding proposals in Australia and elsewhere
• Better understanding capabilities in areas of research & policies
• Showcasing of S&T in different countries
• Cultural understanding
Conclusions
Australian Academy of Science perspective:
Barriers
• Lack of funding (universities, government, etc)
• Lack of understanding of science and innovation systems of
countries
• IP, governance and ethical issues
• Lack of strong institutional support
• Visas and bureaucratic tape
• Cultural barriers
• Diplomatic matters
Conclusions
Australian Council of Learned Academies 2015 report
Smart engagement with Asia: leveraging language,
research and culture:
“International research collaboration is likely to be
productive only through long-term commitment, multiple
repeat encounters and spending significant amounts of
time together, facilitating mutual familiarisation and trust.”