The plight of geosciences

Despite significant improvements in efficiencies, the sciences at Monash, as well as nationally, remain under funded. If the government wants a quality national science program, it needs to improve its level of funding for the science and technology areas. The financial screw has been turned so far that the prospect of doing long-term damage is now real.

Unfortunately, there is no single organisation in Australia mandated with the responsibility for monitoring the health of the geosciences. The Australian Geoscience Council is now working to raise awareness of the plight of the geosciences in our universities, to develop strategies to improve their health and to ensure the long term survival of this endangered but strategically essential discipline. There are plans for a national summit in the next few months.

It is essential that the mining industry uses its position to lobby governments and universities to improve funding for the surviving geoscience departments and the sciences in general. If it fails to act then in a few years there may only be four or five geosciences departments left and most recruitment will be done overseas. Industry must also commit to a steadier hiring policy, rather than the current boom-bust practice.

To preserve and grow our $100 billion national income from minerals and energy into the future Australia’s geosciences must have long-term budget stability and assurance. Education cannot be manufactured on the run, from year to year.

More information here (PDF 109KB).