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.”