Australia’s chief scientist, Alan Finkel, has said it is time to put “flesh on the bones” of the country’s national science and research priorities, and to highlight to government areas of opportunity in science.
In a speech to launch the Australian Academy of Science’s decadal plan for chemistry in Melbourne, Finkel told scientists and policymakers there was work to do to convince students and researchers that chemistry was a path to success.
The Academy of Science president, Prof Andrew Holmes, read the speech to the audience on Finkel’s behalf after the chief scientist unable to attend after being called away on urgent business by the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull.
According to the academy, advances in chemistry contribute more than $24bn towards Australia’s economic output and more than 60,000 people are employed in the chemical industry.
“The United Nations named 2011 the international year of chemistry,” Finkel’s speech said. “It’s a good start, but it’s not enough.
“A decade is more like it, a decade to celebrate, to strengthen and to harness this science for a better life. How often do we as a science community pause to articulate the big national challenges, think about the global needs, and put our disciplines into the national context?
“Not as often as we should. And not enough to help governments help us in turn.”
The plan calls for improved links between chemistry researchers and the industry, as well as better quality school and tertiary chemistry education in Australia. It also identifies 10 key challenges for the field, including increasing agricultural productivity, developing new lifesaving drugs and creating sustainable materials.
“As chief scientist I will be speaking constantly to students, ambassadors, industry groups and journalists – people who want to hear what this discipline has to say,” Finkel said. “I intend to do my utmost to help you pursue these ideas, to the extent that my role allows.”
In his own address, Holmes said chemistry was a central science. “A vibrant chemistry community in Australia that is fully engaged with industry will be vital to addressing some of our key challenges,” he said, adding: “We already have great chemistry expertise in Australia that bridges materials and biological sciences. Now is the time to start really taking advantage of this knowledge to drive new ideas and economic development.”
There had been a 25% decrease in year 12 students choosing chemistry, said the chair of the national committee for chemistry, Prof Paul Mulvaney. “This is a long-term decay and it will take a 10-year battle to bring it back upwards,” he said.
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Chemistry offers students a bright future, Australia's chief scientist says
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