Science Associate Deans Research meet in Hobart

The 2025 ACDS National Research Forum (NRF) for Science Associate Deans Research; Higher Degree by Research, and Deans (or equivalent) was held at the University of Tasmania 2-3 September. The Forum was held over two days and brought together leaders across science, policy and higher education to reflect on the future of Australian research.

The Forum included a combination of guest speakers and discussion sessions. Common themes revolved around:

• Sustainable investment – Australia under invests in R&D compared to peers, relying too heavily on international student fees. Stable, patient investment in both infrastructure and people is essential.
• Trust, culture & assessment – Public trust in science cannot be taken for granted. Universities must show relevance and impact and research assessment must move beyond flawed metrics to fairer, more transparent, impact-focused models.
• Indigenous knowledge & leadership – Indigenous science is sophisticated and must be valued equally. Protecting indigenous knowledge and IP, supporting Indigenous researchers and knowledge-custodians, and building trusting and mutually beneficial partnerships are essential.
• Impact & translation – We need to place impact at the heart of research. Stronger collaboration across institutional boundaries and sectors, and simpler engagement models, especially for SMEs, are critical.
• National coordination – Research infrastructure and funding remain fragmented. A whole-of-government approach is needed to identify gaps, reduce duplication, and strengthen long-term planning.

ACDS Executive Director – Tony Willis highlighted the importance of the event when he said “conversations like this remind us that while science takes place in many settings, university science plays a distinctive and critical role in advancing innovation, prosperity, security, and the well-being of society”.

A huge thank you to our outstanding speakers who generously shared their insights and provoked vital discussion: Chris Abbiss (ACGR); Ginny Barbour (QUT; Co-Chair, DORA); Rufus Black (University of Tasmania); Claire Forsyth (ARC); Justine Lacey (CSIRO); Lila Landowski (STA); Anthony Millgate (Australian Government Department of Education); Kelly Menzel (Burnet Institute); Liz Sonenberg (University of Melbourne; NCRIS).