Les Field – The Conversation

The Australian Federal Police will receive $321.4 million over four years for a range of measures. AAP/Lukas Coch

May 9, 2017

Budget 2017‑18 brings welfare crackdown and increased defence and security funding: experts respond

Ben Spies-Butcher, Macquarie University; Andrew Carr, Australian National University; Andrew Dodd, Swinburne University of Technology; John Rice, University of Adelaide; Les Field, UNSW , and Robin Davies, Australian National University

The Conversation’s political experts react to the 2017-18 budget’s key measures in the areas of welfare, foreign aid, defence spending and more.

AAP/Mick Tsikas

March 22, 2017

National Science Statement a positive gesture but lacks policy solutions: experts

Ken Baldwin, Australian National University; Darren Saunders, UNSW ; Emma Johnston, UNSW ; Ian Lowe, Griffith University; Les Field, UNSW , and Stuart Cunningham, Queensland University of Technology

The federal government released its National Science Statement today, reinforcing its commitment to science and innovation. But does it do enough?

Senator Arthur Sinodinos will be sworn in as minister for science today. AAP Image/Paul Miller

January 23, 2017

New science minister needs to maintain momentum and push the innovation agenda

Les Field, UNSW

The new minister for science has some challenges ahead, but there is an opportunity to build on the foundations laid by his predcessors.

PhD graduates should aim for careers in industry. Shutterstock/Syda Productions

August 3, 2016

There’s work (and life) outside of universities for PhD graduates

Les Field, UNSW and Andrew Holmes, The University of Melbourne

Australia produces thousands of PhD graduates every year but many will find it hard to secure a university career. So we should do more to help them consider a career outside of academia.

Aftershocks from the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union will be felt in Australian research. Shutterstock/argus

June 29, 2016

What now for Australian research in a post‑Brexit world?

Andrew Holmes, The University of Melbourne; Cheryl Praeger, The University of Western Australia, and Les Field, UNSW

Australian researchers engage in collaborative programs with both the UK and the rest of Europe. So what does Brexit mean for those collaborations?

CSIRO has received significant cuts to its budget over the past several years. David McClenaghan

June 22, 2016

Infographic: how much does Australia spend on science and research?

Merlin Crossley AM, UNSW and Les Field, UNSW

How does Australia fare in science and research funding? Where have recent cuts been made? This infographic shows the state of science funding in Australia.

Research must have an impact – but what’s the best way to measure it? www.shutterstock.com

December 4, 2015

Watt report suggests financial incentives for measuring research impact

Claire Shaw, The Conversation

A government report on research funding and policy has recommended introducing a funding incentive to ensure university research benefits society and business.

Alan Finkel is a well respected member of the Australian scientific community. AAP Image/Alan Porritt

October 27, 2015

Reaction: Alan Finkel to be Australia’s next Chief Scientist

Merlin Crossley AM, UNSW ; Andrew Siebel, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute; Brian Schmidt, Australian National University; Frieder Seible, Monash University; Gustav Nossal, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) ; Les Field, UNSW , and Peter C. Doherty, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity

The scientific community reacts to the news that Dr Alan Finkel has been appointed Australia’s New Chief Scientist as of 2016.

The new Prime Minister has an opportunity to reverse the cuts to science funding and transform Australia into an innovative nation. Tracy Sorensen/Flickr

September 15, 2015

Turnbull has an opportunity to make Australia a science nation

Les Field, UNSW

A Turnbull government has an opportunity to redirect Australia towards being a science and innovation nation.

Facilities funded under NCRIS, such as the Murchison Widefield Array, will continue to be supported under this budget. Natasha Hurley-Walker/Wikimedia

May 12, 2015

Budget brief: how does science and research funding fare?

Les Field, UNSW

The National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and Future Fellowships schemes have won a reprieve in this year’s budget.

Resistance against the higher education reforms appears to have led to the scrapping of the Future Fellowships scheme. COURTNEY BIGGS/Newzulu

March 29, 2015

If we want to be a smart nation we should keep Future Fellowships

Les Field, UNSW

The Future Fellowships scheme is a great success. Scrapping it would hurt Australia’s future as a smart nation.

Research infrastructure, such as the H-1NF at the Australian Plasma Fusion Research Facility, enables our world leading science. Australian Plasma Fusion Research Facility

March 19, 2015

Securing the future of Australia’s research infrastructure

Les Field, UNSW

Australia needs to take a longer term view of research infrastructure funding in order to prevent it from becoming politicised.

Facilities like the Australian Synchrotron are relied upon by scientists across the country, and could shut down if research infrastructure funding is withheld by the government. Sandra Morrow

March 6, 2015

Research infrastructure cuts harm science, the economy and the nation

Les Field, UNSW

Cutting vital research infrastructure funding because the higher education reforms are stuck in the Senate could end up costing the country dearly.

Science should help inform policy aimed at tackling issues that extend beyond electoral cycles, peak bodies for researchers said today. NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

August 14, 2013

Government department commits to science‑based policy

Sunanda Creagh, The Conversation

Two peak bodies for science researchers today welcomed the release of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Science Strategy 2013-2018, a document that aims to ensure government policy…

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