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Chief Scientist and PMSEIC: review overdue
19 June 2007
The Prime Minister has been asked to review the role and functions of two of the Government's prime advisory bodies, the Chief Scientist and the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC).
Professor Stuart Cunningham, President of the Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS), said today (Wednesday) that he had written to the Prime Minister on this matter.
"The problem with both institutions is that they are constructed to focus all their attention on the natural sciences - physics, chemistry, biology and so on," he said.
"They ignore any possible contribution of the humanities and social sciences, even though many of our most pressing issues need input from these disciplines.
"If you only have access to half the expertise, you'll only get half the solution," he said. "Australia's got some big issues to tackle, and our sector is waiting for the chance to contribute."
He nominated water and health are two areas where changing human behaviour is as important as any technological solution.
Professor Cunningham said CHASS had suggested creating a new Office of Innovation, to house a strengthened position encompassing the role of the Chief Scientist. The humanities and social sciences would be part of this office.
"The Chief Scientist was established to provide 'comprehensive and timely advice' to Government," he said. "I don't see how you can provide this sort of advice unless you take into account the expertise of the humanities and social sciences."
Professor Cunningham said there should be greater representation for the humanities and social sciences on PMSEIC. Membership is currently dominated by the natural sciences and engineering.
CHASS had also called for a re-naming of the 'Department of Education, Science and Training' to the more inclusive 'Education, RESEARCH and Training'. Professor Cunningham described this as an important symbolic step.
He released the letter to the Prime Minister as part of a CHASS event bringing people from the humanities, arts and social sciences into Canberra to meet with federal Members of Parliament on Wednesday June 20.
- For more information, please contact:
- Toss Gascoigne
- Executive Director
- Council of the Humanties, Arts and Social Sciences
- Phone: +61 2 6249 1995
- director@chass.org.au
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