RUN SUBMISSION TO THE STRATEGIC EXAMINATION OF R&D

In an increasingly competitive and volatile global environment, Australia’s growing metropolitan concentration of research effort away from the regions represents a vulnerability in the diversity, accessibility, and culture of Australia’s research ecosystem.

RUN holds the view that the lack of acknowledgement of these national vulnerabilities in the Strategic Examination of R&D Discussion Paper represents a critical oversight in the planning for Australia’s R&D future. Put simply, without a concentrated focus on building up research capability, research capacity and research ecosystems in Australia’s regions, it is extremely unlikely that Australia will maximise the value of R&D, strengthen linkages between research and industry, support the achievement of national priorities, drive great investment, and uplift Australia’s overall R&D intensity.

It is in Australia’s interests for regional universities to be more involved in the nation’s cutting-edge research, clinical trials, and new knowledge and innovation opportunities. In seeking to maximise the national interest benefits arising from Australia’s R&D landscape, RUN argues the importance of building regional R&D capabilities and workforces by diversifying the current metro-centric concentrations of Australia’s R&D base.

RUN advocates a national policy and resourcing focus towards supporting Australia’s smaller and/or regional universities hosting greater numbers of international students, to yield greater national R&D diversity and dividends. This must occur alongside a pivoting of Australia’s R&D investment towards the regions.

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