National Science Panel
Why have a National Science Panel?
New Zealand is a small country with a proud record of contribution
to many fields of science endeavour. The performance of our science
system is measured by its contribution to our well-being, the health of
the economy, social gain and by its contribution to the world’s
knowledge base.
Given the importance of Research, Science and Technology (RS&T)
to the future of our nation, the Royal Society has decided to establish
a National Science Panel (NSP). The Statement of Purpose approved by
Council can be found here.
The Council of the Royal Society is seeking to enlist the nation’s
foremost strategic thinkers from fields as diverse as science,
engineering, health, education, business and economics to address
science directions, organisation, as well as scientific and
technological aspects of society’s most pressing problems. These issues
will include the role and security of our science organisations,
science infrastructure and capacity, retention of a skilled work force,
responding to new opportunities, and encouraging working environments
that nurture creativity. Of particular interest is how we measure
scientific output and value of all kinds of research from basic to
applied. The value of science to New Zealand is the core basis on
which science is funded by Government. The NSP will develop and publish
reports to achieve its roles and disseminate this information widely to
stakeholders, government and the public at large.
The Panel will be expected to meet a few times a year, with travel
and honorary expenses to be met by the Society. In addition, the
Sociey will provide secretariat support for organising events,
maintaining records, policy analysis, and will provide a route to
dissemination of information to government agencies, schools, relevant
private institutions and/or public through the media and other RSNZ
channels.
National Science Panel Launch 23rd November 2006
There was a launch of the National Science Panel of the RSNZ on
Thursday 23rd of November 2006 . This followed a day-long meeting
of the panel at the Town Hall in
Wellington, at which the work plan of the Panel was discussed. A
press release
outlining the role of the Panel was produced (see below).
Science - delivering for New Zealanders
All New Zealanders want a secure and prosperous future. To realise
this future, there are ongoing social, economic and environmental
challenges that must be met and opportunities to seize. Here, science
will be essential. If New Zealand is to maintain parity with its global
competitors it will need to be more effective in deploying its
scientific resources.
Indeed, the Prime Minister said in her most recent speech from the
Throne: “My Government believes that science and innovation are
critical to driving our prosperity.”
New Zealand’s future prosperity, its desire for higher standards of
living and responsiveness to long-term social and environmental change,
can only be achieved through the efforts of many parties. Critically,
these efforts must come from the development and application of
scientific knowledge across the New Zealand public and private sectors.
The Royal Society of New Zealand has established a National Science
Panel made up of some of New Zealand’s top science leaders. The Panel
will engage with science and business organisations, Government, and
the public to realise the full contributions that science must make.
There were 60 nominations from which 12 were appointed. The high
calibre of nominations reflects the expectations in the science
community of the importance of the task before this Panel.
The members appointed to the Panel are:
- Dr Jim Watson, CNZM, FRSNZ, Genesis Research and Development
Corporation. (Chair)
- Dr Mike Boland, MRSNZ, Riddet Centre at Massey University.
- Professor Carolyn Burns, CBE, FRSNZ, University of Otago,
President of the RSNZ Academy Council.
- Professor Marston Conder, FRSNZ, University of Auckland.
- Professor Sally Davenport, Victoria University of Wellington.
- Professor Peter Gluckman, CNZM, FRS, FRSNZ, Liggins Institute,
University of Auckland.
- Professor Stephen Goldson, FRSNZ, CRSNZ, AgResearch and Lincoln
University.
- Professor Harlene Hayne, FRSNZ, University of Otago.
- Mr John Lancashire, President of the NZ Institute of Agricultural
and Horticultural Science.
- Mr Paul McGilvary, HortResearch
- Professor Caroline Saunders, MRSNZ, Lincoln University.
- Professor Jeff Tallon, FRSNZ, Industrial Research Limited and
Victoria University of Wellington.
The National Science Panel will seek opportunities to optimise the
value of science to New Zealand. It will promote consultation and
dialogue across sectors.
On 23 November 2006, the National Science Panel met for the first
time to develop its priorities. Among these are issues important to
improving the long term vision of New Zealand science. The Panel will
seek to promote strategic views of science direction, infrastructure,
resourcing, capability and capacity, and respond to opportunities for
science to inform policy.
For further information, contact Dr Jim Watson, Chair, Telephone: 09
3735600 Email: j.watson@genesis.co.nz
