RSNZ/2002 Yearbook/Committees

2002 Annual Report Of The Royal Society of New Zealand

Incorporating the 2002 Academy Council Yearbook

Royal Society of New Zealand committees

The Royal Society has standing committees to oversee issues that it considers important. The standing committees disseminate their findings to the science community, the general public, and the New Zealand Government, as appropriate. From time to time, ad hoc committees are set up to look at specific issues.

Royal Society Committee on Antarctic Sciences

The committee formally meets once yearly or otherwise as required with other regular contact through telephone conference calls and email, etc. This year the committee met in Wellington on 21 June.

Dr Davey, who has been the committee chair since its inception, has stood down and has been replaced by Dr Clive Howard-Williams FRSNZ, NIWA, Christchurch, effective from 1 December 2002.

Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART)

During 2002, ANZCCART (NZ) continued to act as an advocate for responsible action and reason regarding the scientific uses of animals. The committee engaged in a range of activities during the period; the more significant are listed below.

Development of Code of Practice for Research Scientists using Prescription Animal Remedies

ANZCCART, with the support of the New Zealand Veterinary Association and MAF agencies, drafted a new Code of Practice for scientists who need to use a range of anaesthetic and analgesic drugs in order to perform surgical and other manipulations. The Code will enable a continuity of drug supply for the scientific community, within a legal framework, provided that there is compliance with requirements of the Code.

The Royal Society was asked to sponsor this Code because the Society represents the scientific community. The policies and procedures in the Code have been developed for the benefit of scientists. At its November 2002 meeting, the Royal Society Council agreed to own and sponsor the new Code of Practice.

This Code ties in with requirements under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act and has been approved by the ACVM Group at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) under delegation from the Director-General of MAF.

The Code is lodged on the Royal Society website at http://www.rsnz.org/advisory/anzccart/#Code.

Workshop on "Laboratory animal welfare and good science: a partnership?"

ANZCCART sponsored and helped organise workshops in August 2002 on "Laboratory animal welfare and good science: a partnership?" presented by Professor Vera Baumans, Chair in Laboratory Animal Science at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. The seminars were held at the University of Auckland, AgResearch Ruakura, Massey University, the Christchurch School of Medicine & Health Sciences, and the University of Otago. All workshops were very successful.

All-Party Liaison Group

ANZCCART liaised with other members of this group (NZ Veterinary Association, Federated Farmers, and RNZSPCA) and set up a meeting with interested Members of

Parliament on 3 December 2002. There was a discussion of animal welfare issues in general, and in particular the Three Rs; Transparency and the animal activists; the good new stories: the benefits from NZ animal-based research; and GE/biotechnology/cloning etc.

Such meetings are a worthwhile activity as they help maintain the relationship with Members of Parliament to ensure avenues are open should they be necessary from time to time.

Royal Society Committee on Astronomical Sciences

This committee, chaired by Professor John Hearnshaw FRSNZ (University of Canterbury), had contact through telephone conference calls and email, etc.

Royal Society Committee on Biodiversity

This committee was reactivated during 2002. A new committee chaired by Associate Professor David Given was constituted and they held a meeting at the Royal Society in late August where they identified activities to pursue in the coming year.

Royal Society Committee on New Zealand Climate

The climate committee organised a workshop about integrating research on the human and natural dimensions of climate change, which was held in Wellington on 8 February 2002. It brought social scientists, natural scientists, representatives from central and local government, industry, and the agricultural and forestry sectors together in order to:

identify needs for social science research and advice related to climate change;
help planners and policymakers identify scientists who can help them with such advice; and
stimulate collaboration between natural and social scientists to address climate change research needs.

Royal Society Committee on the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP)

The committee formally meet once yearly or otherwise as required with other regular contact through telephone conference calls and email, etc. This year the committee met in Wellington on 20 September.

Dr Heath, who has been the committee chair since its inception, has stood down and been replaced by Dr Julie Hall, NIWA, Hamilton, effective from 1 December 2002.

Royal Society Committee on Mathematical and Information Sciences

The committee held one meeting in Auckland in March 2002 to discuss issues relating to mathematical and information sciences in New Zealand.

Royal Society Committee on Primary Resources

The Primary Resources Committee held a forum on 'Preserving New Zealand's Wealth Generating Capacity' in Palmerston North in June 2002. The committee also met with various industry representatives in June, and created a document entitled "Industry and Science: working together NZ Inc." that culminated in a document presented to the Minister of Agriculture Hon. Jim Sutton in December 2002.

Royal Society Committee on Science and Technology Education

Chair: Robyn Baker, Director of the NZ Council for Educational Research.

In 2002, the committee sponsored the 3rd Science Education Research Symposium held at Massey University, Wellington.

Royal Society Committee on Social Sciences

Chaired by Associate Professor Rosemary Du Plessis MRSNZ, University of Canterbury, 2002 was a very productive year for this committee. In July Professor Lois Bryson (University of Newcastle/RMIT University, Melbourne) and Dr Sandra Nutley (University of St Andrews, Scotland) carried out presentations in Wellington and Auckland during a week-long visit. The Embracing Plurality Workshop took place on 27 August 2002 with a very high turnout, and a Social Science Teachers' Subject Association Workshop was held on 20 November 2002. Further activities are planned for 2003.

Royal Society of New Zealand Technology Advisory Group

This committee, previously chaired by Sir Ron Carter and now by Professor Roy Geddes of the Auckland University of Technology, has promoted two main projects, the National Network of Technological Societies and the Once Upon a Leader project.

National Network of Technological Societies

The NNTS aims to:

facilitate the presentation of the informed views of New Zealand's technological "community of expertise" on issues of the day
develop wide-ranging expertise listings as a resource for those in the community seeking informed comment on technological issues
share best practice and cooperation amongst Chief Executives/Executive Officers of member organisations

The NNTS is a joint RSNZ/IPENZ initiative and further information can be found at www.nnts.org.nz.

Once upon a leader

This study will identify and analyse the critical influences that nourish leadership in the profitable, international commercialisation of advanced technologies through interviewing 25 New Zealanders who have demonstrated outstanding leadership resulting in contemporary economic success from the international commercialisation of advanced technologies. It is hoped that steps will be identified to develop the leaders who can guide the nation to economic success in the application of advanced technologies and propose a strategy for enhancing qualifications and ongoing professional development programmes in support of leadership.

Photograph by Alex Simms