Science Associate Deans Research meet in Hobart Posted in Events, News, Research on October 2, 2025 by Glenda Key. 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).