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Society Council paper July 2002New Zealand’s international linkagesThis paper reviews New Zealand’s international linkages in science and technology. Recommendations remain to be finalised by Council, but some suggested recommendations are contained in the text. GLOBAL CONTEXT(This section is drawn almost entirely from a 2002 Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MoRST) paper on international relations) How does an organization like the Royal Society decide its priorities for international relations in science and technology? Many of our current linkages have developed over time, and it is worthwhile to pause and take stock of our changing world. Global economic, technological, social and environmental change will continue to affect the way New Zealand interacts with the rest of the world and the role of RS&T in this. Knowledge has become a key component in national development, and those countries which have, can develop, or can access, relevant knowledge, and who can apply it best, both domestically and in very competitive global markets, will be the most successful. The globalised knowledge economy provides opportunities for New Zealand, perhaps more than for most countries, as long as we act to capitalise on them. A successful national innovation system is essential to this, and to achieving the goals we have set for our RS&T investments. However, a national innovation system working in isolation is not enough - it must fully integrate with the complicated international networks which characterise the global knowledge economy. Government interventions in the innovation system have shifted their emphasis from simply providing support for knowledge creation to facilitating interactions and flows of information and technology. This is reflected in the main categories of intervention which the Government uses: generating new knowledge, fostering linkages and flows, promoting awareness and understanding and increasing the innovative capacity of enterprises and other users of RS&T. International considerations must be fully integrated into each of these categories of intervention. This signals a change in priority for MoRST's international activities. Previous strategies were based on a paradigm of innovation, where investment in R&D was considered the only role for Government, and hence strongly stressed the formation of direct international scientific links for their own sake, with most interactions being between science providers in each country. While international linkages to strengthen our national RS&T capability are still vital, MoRST no longer sees this as the ultimate goal but rather as a means of achieving national innovation, economic, environmental and societal goals. An increased emphasis must be placed upon creating a richer variety of international partnerships and networks for our RS&T system, and increasing understanding and awareness of global challenges and opportunities, in order to achieve these goals. RS&T has an important role in many areas of New Zealand's international relationships - eg. environment, trade and diplomacy. Earlier MoRST international strategies considered these as separate objectives. However, within the contemporary interactive policy framework for RS&T all such activities are viewed as a mainstream component of MoRST's international activities. As the value of knowledge is increasingly recognised, RS&T is becoming a more central component of foreign relations. Greater efforts should be made to integrate RS&T issues, and awareness of the nature of the global knowledge economy, into all aspects of our foreign policy. This applies equally to all government departments with international responsibilities. The overall goal of MoRST's international activities is: To foster full and appropriate integration of New Zealand's RS&T with global activities, in particular to enhance our ability to participate successfully in the global knowledge economy. The three strategic objectives which support this are:
Bilateral relationships with selected countries can contribute to the strategic objectives. MoRST considers the following countries as highest priority for bilateral RS&T relationships over the next two years: Australia, Germany, Japan, UK and the USA Multi-lateral fora can similarly contribute to the strategic objectives. They increasingly provide the mechanism by which rules and codes of behaviour for the new world are set. It is imperative that there is sufficient RS&T input into the negotiation of international treaties and conventions to ensure national interests are best protected. Primary responsibility for this lies with the relevant Ministry, though MoRST has a responsibility to ensure there is adequate awareness of the relevant RS&T issues, and the mainstream funding mechanisms adequately support this. Of the multi-lateral institutions with specific RS&T programmes, OECD and APEC share top priority. MoRST strives to incorporate international considerations into mainstream funding as much as possible, as consistent with the full funding principle. However, there are still many areas not adequately covered by mainstream RS&T funding, such as the exploration or initiation of international collaboration in a new research area, where seed funding could contribute greatly to the strategic objectives. A Role for the Royal SocietyFor the most part, New Zealand’s current modus operandi leaves international collaboration to research providers such as CRIs and universities. Several countries, however, prefer to begin with more general memoranda of understanding at State level. New Zealand has concluded such agreements with (for example) Germany and the USA. There is a role for the Royal Society in this area in setting up “friendship” agreements with countries where, over time, a harder relationship might become more useful. Such agreements may contain small amounts of exchange funding, but are more likely to cover networking and information exchange activities. As examples, the Royal Society has an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Korea which will lead to a symposium on advanced materials at Victoria University in early 2003. The Beijing Association of S&T also seeks links with New Zealand. Lastly, MFAT recently asked the RSNZ CEO to attend a Canberra meeting of FEALAC, the Federation of East Asian and Latin American Countries, to explore possible science opportunities. THE SCIENCE DISCIPLINESThis section examines evidence to hand on New Zealand’s strategic needs for RS&T links. It draws very largely on MoRST’s 1998 “Knowledge Base Review”, as well as recent government policy announcements. The Government announced in early 2002 that it will encourage three main sectors: biotechnology, information and communications technology, and creative industries. These have yet to be targeted more clearly, and government task forces have been set in place to do that. Additional niche possibilities include education, tourism, food processing, wine, leisure, marine and professional services. The Government’s involvement in research, science and technology (R,S&T) is four-fold. It has a role to play in policy development; as a science funder; as an owner of science providers; and in providing an appropriate framework for S&T activities. Through its S&T relationships, New Zealand seeks to optimise the quality of its S&T research, to maximise its S&T capability; and secure economic/trade and foreign relations policy objectives. S&T linkages can be characterised into three distinct categories: Technology Transfer, Science Collaboration, and Training and Education. MoRST funds the International Science and Technology (ISAT) Linkages Fund to promote and support bilateral S&T relations at institutional and scientist levels. Within the competitive Bilateral Research Activities Programme (BRAP) "seed funding" is provided for collaborative research projects with overseas counterparts. Biology, Agriculture and FoodNew Zealand has a well-developed and interconnected biotechnology sector, centred on research and development services, pharmaceuticals and biological extracts. Our unique natural resources, concern for animal welfare and internationally-linked science community all contribute to this strong outlook. The biological sciences have highlighted New Zealand’s often unique and threatened flora and fauna. There is a need to improve knowledge of species of cultural significance to Maori and the likely impacts of climate change on terrestrial and marine species and natural and managed ecosystems. There is a lack of information, particularly on the description of much of the invertebrate and microbial fauna and flora across all ecosystems: terrestrial, freshwater and marine. Despite the existence of several databases on New Zealand’s biological resources, information has been collected by many organisations without common standards and objectives. New Zealand has a confined flora and fauna of a size that can be catalogued with relatively modest additional resources. New molecular and statistical tools can add value to our understanding of evolution, ecosystem threats and endangered species. New Zealand could provide a global example of how to manage biodiversity, food development and food safety. As New Zealand moves from its traditional supply of relatively clean land, water and air to greater intensification, it has a superb opportunity to match highly profitable agricultural systems with environmental acceptability. In addition, as other countries adopt our low cost technologically advanced systems, New Zealand will lose its comparative advantage and need to be smarter in applying its science and knowledge base. A wide range of biocontrols has been developed against weeds and pasture pests. New Zealand has significantly advanced gene mapping of sheep, deer, apples and white clover. New Zealand has been a world leader in ryegrass and clovers. Genetic improvement has led to a 30 per cent increase in yield from Pinus radiata. New Zealand research on machine vision has been applied to processing sheep pelts and fruit grading. Government has named biotechnology, wine, and food processing as priority areas for development, and the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology has announced it is investing to build a world-class biotechnology sector based on our primary biological industries, though it has also recently reduced funding to some CRIs in the primary sector. There is also a marked decrease in non-appropriable research – this is a huge risk in terms of biosecurity). Specific opportunities include biotechnology industries, biotechnology in waste treatment and remediation, naturoceutical and pharmaceutical products, and wood-based product development. Gaps are recorded in biosecurity, production research in the environment of climate change and land intensification, plus biosecurity breaches, optimisation and quality engineering, in the design and manufacture of biological processing equipment, and in risk analysis. New designer breeds of plants and animals specifically targeted to market opportunities may be developed, particularly in the food area. There are also opportunities for the indigenous development of equipment for food and biological processing, and for more research on minimally processed food and packaging. New Zealand agriculture is generally characterised by technologically advanced biological systems which are increasingly environmentally friendly. This takes long-term research into sustainable production systems, for which there is little funding. addition New Zealand has many soil, climatic and topographical features which require unique solutions. The soils of New Zealand have been extensively mapped and much basic information on geology, topography and susceptibility to erosion is now available on a Geographic Information System. The pasture resource which covers 50 per cent of New Zealand’s land area has been regularly surveyed and has provided valuable information on, for example, the increasing spread of C4 or sub-tropical grasses with increasing temperatures. In fisheries, detailed studies have been made of the status of the dominant fish stocks and the assessment techniques have been extended to far greater depths than anywhere else in the world. As a result New Zealand is the first nation to apply a quota management system approached comprehensively for a wide range of species. Major advances in plant and animal genetics and practical breeding have been made in most of the agricultural sciences. Over the past thirty years there has been an annual one to two per cent gain in yield in white clover, New Zealand’s most widely used pastoral legume. World firsts have been achieved with hybridisation in a number of pasture plant species including ryegrass and clovers, and the use of local ecotypes as a basis for plant improvement. Extensive and unique germplasm collections have been built up in crops, forestry, horticulture and pastures. Genetics principles have been applied to practical animal improvement in dairy cattle, beef cattle and sheep. Advances are being made in gene mapping of sheep, deer, apples and white clover. Much plant improvement in the pastoral, horticultural, forestry and cropping sectors has led to a range of cultivars which are resistant to or tolerant of serious pests and diseases in New Zealand. Public criticism of genetic "engineering" overlooks the fact that molecular biology approaches to plant improvement are leading to a new generation of plants which will enable agriculture to continue at a much reduced level of herbicide and pesticide inputs. Animal diseases may be controlled through the development of sheep and dairy cattle tolerant of or resistant to facial eczema and bloat respectively. Flocks can now be bred for immunity to intestinal parasites and anthelmintic plants have been identified that can reduce parasite infestation through diet. The identification of the wobbly possum virus offers a possible solution to this unique New Zealand problem but all possibilities of cross infection with humans and other animals need to be eliminated before it becomes a practical control method. The classical matching of plant and animal growth rates and reproductive cycles was established as the basis of the highly competitive New Zealand pastoral sector. Establishing basic principles of plant growth in relation to the light environment, controlled grazing, the associated development of technologies such as electric fencing, animal identification and milk recording equipment, and the development of management competence amongst farmers through extension aided this. Veterinary science research has maintained and advanced livestock productivity. Advances continue in the diagnosis, treatment and control of animal diseases and the promotion of health. In horticulture New Zealand production systems are among the world’s most efficient and productive. There is a need for value-added products, quality assurance and sustainable management of the resource as these become important components of trading issues. New Zealand has developed systems to deal with some of these issues, such as meat hygiene and inspection, monitoring for pesticides etc. The new environment presents unique opportunities for producer, processor and marketer to link together in multidisciplinary teams to produce more sophisticated integrated biological production systems than in the past. They must now cover more than just the producer situation. International competition is increasing and nations are becoming more protective of their intellectual property. This means that New Zealand must increase its national research effort to compete internationally. Industrial biotechnology and food science strengths have grown out of New Zealand’s unique natural resources, strong agricultural base, and small production volumes. With its large distance from overseas markets New Zealand has developed a research strength in maintaining freshness and quality of food during long shipment times. Others include processing raw materials, getting added value out of waste and food product design. New Zealand also has specialist skills in the manufacturing and process technologies, industrial automation, and stainless steel fabrication using the iron-sand resource. The New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology is currently not a member of the Royal Society, but it does use its own resources affiliate to the International Union of Food Science & Technology (some NZ$1600). Biological science has made, and will continue to make, a substantial contribution to the economic development of New Zealand. Its underpinning disciplines support primary production and health research. The biological sciences have emphasised knowledge on New Zealand’s often unique and threatened flora and fauna. They have become increasingly threatened by invasive species. New Zealand possesses extensive databases on distributions of ecosystem types, plants and animals. The biological sciences underpin much of the agricultural and medical sciences, particularly with advances in biochemistry and molecular biology. There is also a lack of information, particularly on the description of much of the invertebrate and microbial fauna and flora across all ecosystems: terrestrial, freshwater and marine. These are:
Microbiological expertise is located widely across the science sector. It contributes to biodiversity, through a thinly scattered capability in biosystematics, environmental monitoring and remediation, pest identification and control, environmental health, food hygiene, new food products, and human disease research. New Zealand has a substantial capability in the biological sciences but, given both the significance of the area to economic development and environmental sustainability, expertise is thinly spread. Over the past decade, expansion in the biological sciences has been largely directed towards the emerging disciplines of biochemistry and molecular biology. However, maximum gains from investment in biological research will now come from a more balanced approach to expansion, integration of research into multi-disciplinary programmes, and a strong link to key international institutions. New Zealand has the opportunity to integrate the currently disparate distributed databases on biological and physical resources into a widely accessible information source. New Zealand can make a significant contribution to global study of biological science. The biological basis of much of the economy and the uniqueness of much of the flora and fauna means that New Zealand can be at the forefront of applied research. While retaining capability in more fundamental research, New Zealand must increasingly access key international developments through enhanced collaboration. International Activity
New Zealand’s Membership
RecommendationStrengthen funding for long term environmental issues in the primary sectors, and link with appropriate international work. Invite government to fund New Zealand’s membership of IBN, IUFoST, and IUFRO. Continue to develop new methods to catalogue New Zealand’s flora and fauna. Improve funding for knowledge of species of cultural significance to Māori. Earth Sciences, Climate and EnvironmentEarth science studies, both onshore and offshore, have had a significant focus on natural hazards associated with our plate boundary, vulcanology and crustal deformation. Basic research on geology is well developed to support these interests. New Zealand research contributes to global programmes (eg. climate and atmospheric science). New Zealand is a base for research extending from the South Pacific islands to Antarctica. Our scientists have pioneered isotopic techniques for identifying changes in sources and sinks of greenhouse gases and played key roles in understanding ozone depletion and variability in ultra-violet radiation. There are gaps in geologic processes and radiogenic isotope geochemistry. A restricted knowledge exists of the temporal aspects of physical oceanography and our offshore Exclusive Economic Zone. There are opportunities for improved understanding of atmospheric and hydrological systems, seismological and volcanological processes and geotechnical properties of near surface geology. Opportunities also exist in understanding climate change, and its potential for environmental impact on land, oceans and atmosphere. There are opportunities in designing electronic and communications equipment and for capitalising overseas on New Zealand strengths in seismic and geotechnical engineering, seismic building technologies, and environmental control and response automation in buildings. Research on improved air transport safety systems and multidisciplinary research on land transport safety, combining vehicle technology advances with a better understanding of driver behaviour, have been identified as needs. More research is needed on transport engineering, wastewater sludge management and the seismic performance of structures designed before the mid 1970s. Strong international links have always been a strength of New Zealand earth science research. It is essential that such collaboration is maintained and that New Zealand continues to contribute knowledge for this data sparse region of the world. The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology has announced it will invest more in Environment. Research in the earth sciences covers a wide range of studies on the earth, its biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and atmosphere which have been carried out over the past 140 years. It has in general passed through a broad descriptive phase into a process oriented phase, although, there are still poorly studied areas where basic information is lacking. A key feature of the knowledge base in earth sciences is the existence of several high quality national databases which support process oriented research. Substantial advances have been made over the past five years in understanding the basic earth science processes that control the environment in key areas with internationally significant research in many areas. Research on the solid earth of New Zealand has strengths in neotectonics, volcanology, Quaternary studies, basin analysis, crustal structure, seismic hazard, petrology and palaeoclimate analysis. Significant advances have been made in understanding the geology and architecture of the major tectonic units forming New Zealand, and the crustal and upper mantle structure under the region. There has been considerable progress in unravelling the fossil and stratigraphic record, including the dating of rocks and geological processes, the correlation of geological events around New Zealand and understanding the widespread effects of tectonism and sea level changes on sedimentation and basin development. The knowledge base for earth sciences in New Zealand are in those areas where research has commenced recently such as coastal physical sciences, atmospheric science, oceanography, and geochemistry, or is multidisciplinary. Research in geology, geophysics and hydrology has generally been adequate, however, some gaps are arising from new technologies, eg broadband seismographs, and synthetic aperture radar for high resolution measurement of earth deformation; and improved modelling techniques, eg for land-water interactions, meteorological processes and surface water runoff. Two areas of atmospheric science which are important, globally and to New Zealand, but have received little attention to date are regional aerosols and clouds, and their influence on regional climate variability and change, and understanding the contribution of the region’s oceans to regional and global climate systems. International collaborative studies in Ocean Drilling Project (ODP), World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE), International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP), and Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change (NDSC), are major opportunities in all parts of earth science, arising from New Zealand’s unique environment and scientific capability. New Zealand has particular characteristics which mean that engineering knowledge available elsewhere in the world may not be directly applicable here. Moreover these characteristics can lead to a situation where New Zealand needs to be ahead of the rest of the world in order to compete effectively. Some areas where New Zealand’s particular characteristics have led to important research outputs are:
New Zealand are generally highly capable and are recognised as being more resourceful and adaptable than their overseas counterparts. Since engineering research often involves looking at whole systems it can be an advantage to have a broad outlook on the subject. New Zealand has demonstrated a capability for designing and manufacturing sophisticated electronic equipment. New Zealand’s international position would be further enhanced by improved manufacturing capability, and access to technologies appropriate to small volume custom designs. This suggests investment in research on electronic technologies; for example, the application of devices such as field programmable gate arrays, intelligent embedded controllers, advanced electronic circuit fabrication technologies, and advanced testing including electromagnetic compliance. The export of New Zealand engineering knowledge directly by consulting companies makes a contribution to foreign exchange earnings. This is in addition to the large indirect contribution engineering knowledge has made to the increased processing of primary products within New Zealand and to the development of other export industries. New Zealand’s difficulty is that only approximately one-third are “active” scientists while another third are either retired, non-active or overseas. A number of those non-active or who are overseas were made redundant in the science purges. New Zealand also has a large student base in soil science and they need nurturing. Soil science underpins primary industry in New Zealand and there are numerous examples in the erosion, sustainability, fertility and fertilisers, soil carbon and soil physical properties fields. In fact, soil carbon research has a relevance to the Kyoto Protocol. International Activity
New Zealand’s Membership
RecommendationIs some rationalisation needed in the Earth Sciences, Climate and Environment area? Consider joining the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS)] EducationGovernment has named Education as a priority area for development. NZ stands to gain through the sharing of information and best practice in science education, and access to new linkages and networks through international memberships. A New Zealander is already the Austral-Pacific representative on ICASE (International Council of Associations for Science Education). Such representation will enable contribution from and learning by New Zealand science education. ICASE works closely with UNESCO, particularly in developing countries, to provide support and advice to these countries. A team commissioned by the Ministry of Education has recently concluded a review of the international literature of science education (Hipkins et al 2002). The purpose of the review was to seek evidence for current practice which will raise achievement and reduce disparity in our classrooms. Has New Zealand responded to the content ‘coverage’ pressure in a different manner to some other countries? A recently published international comparison (Cogan et al 2001) of intended curriculum coverage is food for thought. Using self-reported data from all the participating nations, it pointed out that New Zealand was one of only three nations that intended to teach all of the 79 possible ‘content standards’ at Year 9. In contrast, Hong Kong intended to teach just 22 of these 79 standards and Singapore intended to teach 38, yet Singapore is one of the five nations which were chosen to investigate ways in which New Zealand could strengthen its international performance in science education on the basis of their high achievement. Internationally, students’ understandings about science has been widely debated over the last decade. Despite the complexities, it now seems possible to make broad general statements about the nature of science that are accessible to school students, relevant to their lives, provide helpful insights for future interactions with science, and at the same time are philosophically robust. Recent new curriculum documents, especially in the US, Australia and the UK, have shown that material meaningful for children as young as five years has been developed. Worldwide, but especially in North America, the 1990s have seen an enormous debate on what it means for students to achieve scientific and technological literacy. New Zealand is becoming a more multicultural society. Science as it is typically taught has been criticised for focusing on the education of future scientists (e.g. Millar & Osborne 1998), in the process disenfranchising most students from other than ‘white Western middle class’ backgrounds (Aikenhead 1996). Even students who do have white middle class backgrounds may feel alienated from science taught in traditional ways when they hold strongly to different types of worldviews (Cobern 1996; Cobern & Aikenhead 1998). If we want our science community to be more culturally representative – as has been argued for Māori (e.g. McKinley 2000), we need to increase interest and achievement levels for a wider range of school students. If we want a wider range of citizens to engage constructively in democratic decision-making around socio-scientific issues, we need today’s students to develop better understandings of the nature of science. International Activity
New Zealand’s MembershipNil RecommendationIn spite of the fact that the Royal Society’s Act requires it to be active in education, no formal links are currently maintained with international organisations. As demonstrated above, education hardly merited a mentioned in the 1998 MoRST survey of New Zealand’s knowledge base. Council may wish to review this area. Information and CommunicationsGovernment has named Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as a priority area for development. There is potential for the support of New Zealand’s long term wealth creating capability, through basic and applied research, but a significant shift towards research and development, in response to identified commercial opportunity, will be an important ingredient in accelerating technology uptake, particularly for small to medium sized companies. The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology has announced it will invest more in ICT. New Zealand took early initiatives in developing tools to reduce the effort of software development and to improve the quality of the product. New Zealand continues to maintain an international reputation and lead in software engineering with strengths in software development tools and environments, and in the use of formal methods. The design of the human-computer interface is an area in which New Zealand has strengths and an international reputation. This expertise encompasses computer supported collaborative work, programming by demonstration, information visualisation, and navigation in complex data spaces, as well as more conventional interface design. In the development of applications software New Zealand has demonstrated significant strengths. Of most recent note is the internationally renowned work in computer graphics with specialisation in animation and realism. New Zealand has also shown a high-level of success in developing software to harness the power of computers in the support of specific applications. Of particular note is software produced for image processing, machine learning applications, and expert systems. The development of applications utilising the Internet is a relatively recent phenomenon, but one in which New Zealand has taken a significant role. New Zealand has the potential to play the role of information broker. This potential is further demonstrated by the significant interest and expertise built up by other researchers and practitioners in academia and industry. Because of its geographic isolation, New Zealand has a long established interest in communications technology. New Zealand’s computer scientists have attracted international attention for their work with asynchronous mode transmission networks and their expertise in the data compression area. New Zealand’s relatively small size, its challenging terrain, and its communications industry free of restrictive regulation, combine to make the country attractive as a test-bed for new communications technology. New Zealand has taken a leading role in the integration and distribution of nationally significant databases with work relating to land use databases, and there is the potential to include other statistical and genetic information, and further land-based information from other sources. There is a lack of expertise and opportunity in super-computing and integrated circuit fabrication. Capital costs associated with both of these are high, and their immediate potential value relatively low, New Zealand can ill-afford to ignore these areas. The pioneer attitude still present in the national psyche coupled with an environment that supports experimentation and cooperation give New Zealand scientists in this area unique characteristics. Computer systems that would not be contemplated in other countries can and will be developed in New Zealand. The main strength of the New Zealand knowledge base is the ability to develop integrated computer systems to solve real problems. International Activity
New Zealand’s MembershipNil RecommendationConsidering New Zealand’s emphasis on ICT, Council may wish to make a recommendation concerning our present nil membership Medical, Health and PhysiologyIn medical and health science, New Zealand is an international leader in selected areas of neurosciences, endocrinology, carcinogenesis, neurology, cardiac medicine and public health research. Psychology has a strong and growing research capability with leading groups in neuropsychology, behaviour analysis, social psychology, learning and memory. However, more needs to be done to restore a loss of linkage between clinical science and underpinning research. There is a need to address specific Māori health problems which range across the sub-fields, from understanding genetic predispositions through to research into health delivery. Pacific Islander health issues are similarly distinctive and again many of the reports highlight areas for concern. New Zealand’s strength in bioengineering provides a springboard for new medical technologies. Current research priorities for the Health Research Council are in Biological Systems and Technologies; Communicable Diseases; Determinants of Health; Health and Independence of Population Groups; Health Sector Management and Services; Injury and Rehabilitation; Mental Health and Neurological Disorders; Non-Communicable Diseases; and Rangahau Hauora Māori. New Zealand’s knowledge base is strong and internationally recognised (for example neurosciences, endocrinology, carcinogenesis, neurology, cardiac medicine, and areas within public health research). Invariably these areas have attained a critical mass of researchers who have successfully integrated basic research with clinical practice or health care delivery and are focussed and strategic in their planning. They are characterised by multiple linkages, ranging from basic research through to involvement with industry, and by an ability to source significant funds from outside New Zealand and establish links with key units overseas. There are several distinctive characteristics of the medical and health sciences knowledge base where New Zealand could not easily maintain or develop that base through the importation of knowledge. The first and foremost distinctive characteristic is New Zealand’s bicultural heritage. Notwithstanding Treaty obligations, Māori health can only be advanced by knowledge developed here. There is a need to address specific Maori health problems which range across the sub-fields, from understanding genetic predispositions through to research into health delivery. Pacific Islander health issues are similarly distinctive and again many of the reports highlight areas for concern. Another distinctive feature is New Zealand’s small, relatively stable and cooperative population. This provides the potential to develop comprehensive and reliable national databases and for good epidemiological studies. In turn these are necessary for the development of coherent national strategies, especially for public health programmes and the delivery of health services. The link between the agricultural sector, biomedical and medical research is also distinctive. The small research workforce and the difficulty in achieving appropriate critical masses emphasise the need to maintain and develop these linkages. New Zealand’s capability in medical and health sciences overall, is strong and backed by an educated workforce. It is strongest in areas that have attained a critical mass, or which are led by key individuals, or which show effective linkages between academic departments and clinical or health sciences practice. It is declining in some clinical science sub-fields because of a loss of linkages and it is weakest in those areas where national focus and national strategies are required. International Activity
New Zealand’s Membership
RecommendationAre greater links needed in the biomedical area? Physical and Social SystemsThere has been a significant decline in social sciences research capacity in government departments as part of the restructuring of the public sector. Opportunities exist to strengthen the role of the social sciences in policy development, implementation and assessment in significant areas of New Zealand’s social and cultural development, particularly in health, social welfare, education, employment and housing. The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology has announced some important social research investment relating to New Zealand communities and Māori. The following gaps in the social sciences knowledge base provide substantive opportunities for further development:
Similarly, a major opportunity lies in developing a strategic research capability and "cross-policy department" capacity that can address the inter-connectedness of economic, social and cultural development lies with monitoring studies on macro-social changes, and associated explanatory studies that help explain the trends they reveal. The social sciences provide important knowledge about New Zealand’s history and identity as a Pacific Island nation within a wider Australasia, and knowledge about macro-social trends and options for development at the national, regional and local levels, and also at the organisational level within the public and private sectors. Sociology has shown the extent of class, gender and ethnic inequalities in New Zealand, and the limitations to, and extent of, social mobility. In education New Zealand’s mainstream practices in the teaching of reading and remediation have had a crucial impact internationally, in both developed and developing countries. These practices have been developed out of local experience and are based on New Zealand research. Linguistics has a significant capability in New Zealand English, Pacific languages and New Zealand sign language for the deaf. Psychology has a strong and growing research capability, with leading groups in areas of neuropsychology, behaviour analysis, social psychology, hippocampal function, memory development, and attention and performance. New Zealand has representation on editorial boards of international journals, and membership and executive positions on the boards of international scientific bodies, eg education, human geography, linguistics, population studies, psychology, social anthropology and sociology. Globalisation and increasing cultural diversity (through immigration and trade) are leading to increasing emphasis on the following aspects of social science knowledge:
In common with other science fields in the past decade, the social sciences have made major, multidisciplinary breakthroughs in theory and method by combining perspectives, methods and data from a number of sub-fields to provide greater explanatory power. Breakthroughs have occurred through integrating the social and natural sciences, eg integrating psychology and neurology in research on brain functions; and, in the labour, management and organisation studies sub-field, integrating economic geography, education, management science, industrial relations, psychology and production engineering, to create new understandings about the significance of globalization for new forms of business activity, work organisation and employment. Recent international and New Zealand developments in action research, and other forms of participatory research techniques such as social assessment, provide important opportunities to combine rigorous research with practical action. Opportunities exist to build on the work of a growing number of New Zealand social scientists who are using these techniques to assist schools, workplaces, local communities and regions plan for sustainable economic, social, cultural and environmental development. There are opportunities to build on early developments in a new technological platform for social science research in New Zealand. Increasing use will be made of the Internet for national and international networking and rapid knowledge creation across disciplinary and institutional boundaries. In women’s studies, for example, new possibilities for knowledge creation are seen in inter-university research and extending existing research networks into government, non-governmental organisations, women’s community agencies and the commercial sectors. International Activity
New Zealand’s MembershipNil RecommendationThe Royal Society encompasses both natural and social sciences. A nil membership does little justice to that balance. The Society’s Social Science committee may wish to make a recommendation. Physics, Maths and ChemistryIn mathematics, New Zealand currently has over 300 active mathematical scientists. It has international recognition in complex analysis, experimental design theory, numerical analysis and statistical regression modelling. New Zealand has considerable strength in basic (pure or strategic) research across the spectrum of the mathematical sciences, and gains international recognition for the contributions of its researchers to the global knowledge base. Strength exists in the following sub-fields in New Zealand, applied group theory; combinatorics; complex analysis; logic and computational complexity theory; experimental design theory; methods of mathematical modelling; numerical analysis; sample survey design and analysis; spectral theory of operators in mathematical physics; and statistical regression modelling. Developing as a parallel strength in New Zealand is the high level of applied research and experimental work, especially in the areas of mathematical and statistical modelling and operations research (and also more recently in mathematics education). A major feature is the interdisciplinary nature of this work, involving collaboration across many institutions, and interactions with virtually all areas of commerce, science, medicine and the humanities. Examples include biomechanics modelling; economic systems modelling; geothermal and geophysical modelling; transport and personnel scheduling; polar marine physics research; and statistical ecology. Weaknesses in mathematics in New Zealand are evident in several areas including financial mathematics, number theory and stochastic optimisation Of the active mathematical scientists, about 200 work in university departments, 75 in Crown Research Institutes, and others in research associations and government agencies or as private consultants. The age profile is fairly even, except for a bulge in the mid-50s age group which may require careful attention in terms of retirements and replacements over the next decade, especially in university mathematics departments. While a number of opportunities are available to build on New Zealand’s knowledge base in the mathematical sciences teaching facilities, however, fall far below the standard of those in universities in comparable countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. This is going to create problems with resources in the future. In basic research, further international interaction should be encouraged, not only in terms of participation by New Zealand researchers in overseas activities, but also visits to New Zealand by leading experts, who have the potential to expose local scientists, and particularly graduate students, to the latest developments. Inadequate computer infrastructure, lack of expertise in parallel computing (specifically for scientific applications), and significant gaps in the knowledge base such as number theory and stochastic differential equations, have also been highlighted as needs to be addressed. New Zealand is a major international player in condensed matter physics, materials science and in laser physics. Scientists have been active in quantum optics for two decades, with physicists being awarded high international honours. Unique New Zealand discoveries in high-temperature superconductivity in the mid-80s are now yielding wire for commercial power cables and magnet coils. Commercially effective physics research requires fundamental wide-ranging studies and long time frames. Areas of strength in the physical sciences, eg high-quality programmes in laser physics including quantum and atom optics and also in condensed matter physics, merit full support. The application of laser technology to medicine is in its infancy, and New Zealand is well placed to become a significant player here. Collaborative links within and outside New Zealand have been strengthened and greatly facilitated by the electronic improvements in international communication, which has substantially reduced the relative isolation of New Zealand scientific research. Some important areas of physics have never been strongly represented in New Zealand. Related world-class experimental work is documented in the Condensed Matter (Soft) profile, which also mentions the need to develop strengths in synthetic polymer chemistry, engineering rheology and theoretical condensed matter physics. Measurement science needs a full coverage to be optimally effective yet there is weakening support for some measurement parameters. Chemistry is an international discipline, and New Zealand chemists are part of the world chemical community, contributing to advances in the discipline, and in return gaining access to research by the chemists of the rest of the world. Most chemical discoveries, eventually, find their way into the international literature. The high temperature and pressure studies of geothermal fluids, critical to the successful utilisation of New Zealand’s geothermal resource for power generation, is one example of innovative research. The rapid and successful response to the recent marine biotoxin crisis is a similar example of the versatile character of New Zealand natural products and analytical chemists. Specific New Zealand strengths include:
In many developed countries, much of the applied chemical research relates to (petro)chemical and pharmaceutical industries, which are significant in their economies. These industries conduct chemical research themselves and also sponsor research, particularly in universities. Many of the large chemistry-focussed industries in New Zealand have overseas linkages and conduct or support little New Zealand research. New Zealand scientists have attained world recognition on the chemistry of milk proteins, meat proteins, pulp bleaching and wool fibres. Continued support for this type of activity is essential for New Zealand to enhance its competitiveness in the global markets. There are areas of chemistry where there is under representation or limited capability compared to the global base. Of particular note are aspects of materials and polymer chemistry, and the limited availability of some specialist analytical techniques. The output orientation and organisation of government research and development has resulted in significant gaps in these areas. Much chemical research is international in character, and many New Zealand chemists take part in internationally collaborative projects. A significant proportion of chemists working in New Zealand received their training overseas, and many New Zealand graduates spend a period of postdoctoral study overseas. The maintenance and further development of a competent and well-equipped research capability in chemistry is essential if New Zealand is to remain among the technologically advanced countries, capable of tackling current and future problems. This capability is also necessary to take advantage of overseas discoveries, adapting leading edge innovations from local and international research and thus ensuring New Zealand’s ongoing competitiveness. International Activity
New Zealand’s Membership
RecommendationWhile New Zealand has a remarkably strong presence in these areas, does it reflect too-strong a weighting? However, we might consider joining the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), following their request for affiliation with the Royal Society, and MoRST’s willingness to fund this membership at US$7500. Radio and SpaceSome important opportunities for engineering research exist in radio communications. New Zealand is an international leader in high temperature superconductor ceramics, sector lights for boat navigation, computer-integrated manufacturing and food product design. International Activity
New Zealand’s Membership
RecommendationNo recommendation. REGIONAL AND WORLD GROUPINGSThe Government, through bilateral and multilateral linkages, provides a framework for international research cooperation. The most common format for these are Science and Technology Cooperation (STC) Agreements. These do not usually commit the parties to providing funding, or for institutional cooperation. Rather they provide a framework to build S&T relationships. In general, New Zealand enters into STC Agreements as a precursor to developing more substantive linkages. Difficulties arise in seeding new projects with distant and culturally different countries without an appropriate introductory mechanism. In this regard the current level of diplomatic support is seen as a constraint by scientists. Diplomatic assistance is often useful in terms of levering support. International Activity
New Zealand’s Membership
RecommendationThe Royal Society has a role to play in opening up relationships which may be expected to grow over the long term. Links with Australia and Japan are already important, and the government has moved recently to set up a science coordinator with Japan. Over time, links with Korea and China could assume major importance, and eventually, South America could become an important player. South America is already an important customer for New Zealand’s dairy products. It is surprising that New Zealand has relatively few links with Canada – an area that could be considerably strengthened. OTHERThe staff and postgraduate students at the 8 universities in New Zealand contribute a significant amount of New Zealand's RS&T development. All of the universities have developed, and continue to develop, MOU (Memoranda of Understanding) and SEAs (Student Exchange Agreements) with other universities and training institutes, primarily those in Europe, America (USA, Canada, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, etc.) and Asia. Under the terms of reciprocal agreements between the NZ government and the governments of Australia, France and Germany, citizens of Australia, France and Germany pay only the domestic tuition fees at NZ universities. So, a postgraduate student from these countries pays only c. NZ$3,700 pa for tuition compared to c. NZ$21,500 pa that is required of students from Asia, Canada, the U.K. or USA, for example. This ageement with Australia, France and Germany fosters RS&T linkages through postgraduate student research with these three countries. Below are extracts from reports received on the S&T capabilities of selected countries and South America. This by no means represents any comprehensive list of countries of potential S&T interest to New Zealand. AustraliaFor reference, Australia, through its Academy of Sciences, adheres to 34 international scientific unions or committees. MoRST have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Resources. United StatesThe USA is New Zealand's largest scientific partner, with about one thousand NZ/USA collaborative research projects active at any one time. The USA is identified in MoRST's global linkages strategy as one of our priority bilateral partners. At a Governmental level, MoRST has a strong relationship with the USA's National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF allocates about NZ$9 billion of Federal funding each year and plays an active role in S&T policy and social debates in the USA. GermanyGermany is one of New Zealand's most significant scientific partners - surveys have indicated that there are about 400 projects active at any time. Given the strength of the relationship, Germany is identified in MoRST's global linkages strategy as one of our priority bilateral partners. New Zealand and Germany signed an Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation in 1977. The objective is to facilitate and encourage "scientific and technological cooperation for peaceful purposes between civilian agencies and organisations in the private and public sectors of each country". In May 2001 a MoRST showed that the bilateral relationship is strong and conveys significant benefits to both countries. MoRST has responded positively to the report, and has appointed a new coordinator for S&T relations with Germany. FranceThe New Zealand/France Cultural Agreement was signed in 1977. The agreement facilitates and encourages co-operation between the two countries, in science, literature, music, arts and crafts. To support the Agreement, the French Government funds a number of bilateral research projects each year. Eleven projects, valued at $1.3 million are currently supported, across a wide range of fields, including development of remote sensing environmental monitoring technologies, and research into the organisation and regulation of the New Zealand and Burgundian wine industries. United KingdomThe most prominent focal point is the British Council's science programme. In New Zealand the Council's focus is on sharing of best practice in: research, policy, education, and science communication. Among recent S&T-related activities supported by the British Council, were ten visits to the UK by New Zealand researchers, covering topics such as graphic calculators, sustainable development, and internet teaching software. The British Council cooperates closely with the Royal Society to bring outstanding UK researchers and speakers to New Zealand each year. ChinaHow can we grapple with a country that is 300 times our population? Perhaps we can start by building individual links at the information exchange level, and share our experiences in such areas as science promotion, science fairs and festivals, and short-term exchanges. Over time, the contacts made may prove invaluable as more joint projects are undertaken. Last year, the Beijing Association for Science and Technology (BAST) visited New Zealand and (courtesy of the Chinese government) Steve Thompson was able to visit their headquarters in Beijing early in 2002. BAST is government-funded, and several times the size of the Royal Society, yet we share similar aims in promoting S&T awareness, debating the issues, and encouraging youngsters into S&T. We hope for the beginning of a fruitful cooperation, as BAST staff visit us again this year for working level discussions. Japan[1]Advanced national capabilities, access to advanced research facilities, and interest in enhancing linkages with the Asia Pacific region, make Japan a priority international S&T partner for New Zealand. There are many active collaborative research linkages across a range of organisations in areas such as disaster mitigation (volcanic, earthquake), geothermal and solar energy, environmental research, sustainable development, advanced materials, ozone and climate change, and aquaculture. Although New Zealand does not have a formal S&T arrangement with Japan, MoRST has built on relationships with Japanese Government S&T officials at a number of levels. MoRST has recently appointed a coordinator for S&T with Japan In 1995, the Diet passed an S&T Basic Law, covering successive five year plans and promised to double the S&T budget. The target was met under the 1996-2001 plan, and several reforms to increase basic research were implemented. Japan is now in its second five-year Plan, accompanied by major structural changes in the S&T management and execution structure. Some of the more significant are:
KoreaThere is significant potential for collaboration with the Republic of Korea. With innovative strengths that complement New Zealand's, coupled with a strong RS&T capability, Korea will be an important bilateral science and technology partner for New Zealand. The strongest potential for bilateral cooperation is in the biotechnology, food processing, telecommunications, advanced materials, environmental biotechnology and forestry sectors. New Zealand and Korea signed a bilateral science and technology arrangement in 1997. It provides a broad framework for S&T co-operation and helps to facilitate specific collaboration at institution-to-institution level. The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) in Korea is the executive agency for this arrangement in Korea. The Royal Society signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF) in 1997 and again in 2001. The MoU includes travel grants for scientists to exchange scientific knowledge and experience, particularly in the final stage of planning; support of bilateral seminars, colloquia and symposia; joint research projects resulting from earlier contacts and/or planning activities; and the exchange of scientific information etc. Korea has set goals for three periods: by 2005 to join the top 12 nations in S&T competitiveness and get ahead of other Asian nations; by 2015 to stand out as the hub of research in the Asia-Pacific Region; and by 2025 to join the top 7 S&T countries. Six areas are identified for priority in spending and development: information as the basic underpinning capability, life science, mechatronics and systems, new materials, environment, and energy. The Plan also calls for a transition from a government-initiated and development-focused to privately-led and distribution oriented R&D system, global networking, more emphasis upon efficient utilization of resources, a strategic shift to a long, and better national S&T management. The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) formulates and coordinates S&T policy, and develops the S&T portion of the national economic plan. In 1999 the government established a National Science and Technology Council chaired by the President, with MOST as the Secretariat, and with technical support by the Korea Institute of S&T Policy Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP). To improve management, many government research institutes were removed from MOST’s control, and placed under NSTC’s three new Research Councils: one each for Fundamental, Industrial, and Public S&T. VietnamThe Ministry of Science, technology and Environment (MOSTE) manages scientific research, technological development, standardization, industrial property and environmental protection. Although MOSTE is only one of the Ministries responsible for S&T, it has the major coordinating and policy development role on the national level. Major national priorities include: IT (software development), BT (focused on agriculture), automation, and new materials. The budgetary objective for S&T is 2% (S&T funding has been closer to 1% of budget, and a small fraction of a percent of GDP); the government now supports only programmes of national importance that have an impact on society, as opposed to the previous allocation of all funds by head count. All programmes are open to competition among research institutes from industry and universities as well as the Ministerial Research Institutes. ThailandReports suggest that Thailand does not see S&T as critical to its future, at least not with the same degree of commitment and resources as many of its Asian neighbours. S&T for IT, for example, means developing a capability to design some chips for specific applications, or to produce software in the Thai language; biotech development focuses on rice strains, shrimp vaccines, and tapioca starch products. Thailand reportedly placed last in a recent international ranking of 49 countries in S&T development. MalaysiaNew Zealand signed a Science and Technology Cooperation (STC) Arrangement with the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MOSTE) in 1994. This arrangement provided an overarching framework for international science and technology linkages between the two countries. Under this arrangement, MoRST and MOSTE are the managing authorities for this bilateral cooperation. Priority Areas are Biotechnology, Environmental technology, and Advanced materials. Malaysians are reported to plan very well, and carry out their plans. For Malaysia, the emphasis is on IT; especially the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), phase one of which is a greenfield development, stretching from Kuala Lumpur south to the new International Airport, for hi-tech government, education, living, and industry. SingaporeSingapore’s ‘four pillars’ are electronics, communications technologies, chemicals (largely oil and gas based), and biomedicine (the newest addition). The Ministry of Education and the universities have an impressive effort to build quality and globalise, and a strong base from which to improve. They are far ahead of any of their neighbours. The mission of the National Science and Technology Board (NSTB) is “to encourage, develop and nurture human capital in scientific and engineering research and indigenous capability development for a knowledge-based economy in Singapore”. It is organized into two research councils, the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC; with sections for Electronics and Manufacturing Technology, Information and Communication Technology, and Chemicals and Other Science), and a Biomedical Research Council (BMRC; with Sections for Healthcare and Clinical Research, Cell and Systems Research, and Training and Career Development). Together, these councils oversee and support the research funding of 16 Research Institutes and Centres, most of which are located at and have joint staff appointments with one of the Universities. Each institute prepares an annual core proposal for government approval. Included in their plans, again because of the new emphasis on life science, is a new “Biopolis” where NSTB will move, and consolidate biomedical research, by 2006. South America[2]New Zealand has strong incentives to develop closer RS&T relations with South America, particularly Brazil and Chile. Its population is forecast to reach 625 million by 2015. The rapid development of these countries has led to a high demand for advanced science and technology, and an increasing capacity to fund it. There is significant opportunity in the agricultural technology, biotechnology, tele-communications, forestry and food processing sectors. New Zealand's science and technology contacts with South America are primarily at a scientist-to-scientist level in the areas of agriculture, geology, forestry and astronomy through post graduate exchanges, staff exchange, collaborative projects and technology transfer. Specific agreements exist between New Zealand and Latin American institutes. New Zealand is also exploring the possibility of expanding RS&T linkages with South America via cooperation in multilateral fora such as CER/Mercosur and FEALAC. South America, has been identified for priority support within the BRAP programme, in order to support cooperation with economies such as Brazil, which is New Zealand’s 6th fastest growing export market; and better coordination between and within countries in multilateral fora such as Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, Closer Economic Relations (CER), FEALAC (Federation of East Asian and South American Countries) and Mercosur, (Mercado Común del Sur), the "Common Market of the Southern Cone". Principal barriers to interaction with Latin American countries are language and distance. Forum for East Asian-Latin American CooperationFEALAC is not an acronym which finds instant recognition in New Zealand. It is an unlikely Forum for East Asian-Latin American Cooperation, set up in 2001, comprising 15 Asian and 15 Latin American Countries. Its Education, Science and Technology working group met in Canberra in 2002 to hammer out a few practical FEALAC-wide joint projects. There seem to be more differences than similarities between members, but both areas of the world are of particular interest to New Zealand, which receives about 1,000 students a year from FEALAC countries. Common concerns include making basic education universal, quality of learning, the “digital divide”, life-long learning, skills training, and equivalence of qualifications. International exchanges of young people, working holidays, FEALAC scholarships and science fairs were also high on FEALAC’s agenda. SCIENCE DISCIPLINES
[1] Much of this text is drawn from: "S&T in the Asia-Pacific Region" by Craig E Dorman, Pennsylvania State University, 2001 [2] Extract from a Review of Science and Technology Collaboration Between New Zealand and Countries of the Valdivia Group prepared by under contract to the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. |