Setting Research Directions forum

Science House - 10 June 2004

The Royal Society of New Zealand will be holding a forum to review and learn from the recent changes in the way that New Zealand goes about setting research priorities and to compare our systems with those used overseas.

A list of speakers and copies of their presentations are available here.

Some case studies of how some other nations carry out priority setting are available here.

Our keynote speakers will be:

Dr Peter Blair, Executive Director, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences (DEPS), National Research Council
Professor Vicki Sara, CEO, Australian Research Council

At present, Government hands down high-level goals and objectives to the research, science and technology administration. Our forum will discuss the systems used by the administration to translate these goals into priorities for government investment in research. A range of systems are used overseas, with varying degrees of centralisation, prescription and complexity. The forum will investigate the strengths and weaknesses of these systems and report on international trends in priority setting. We will find out what these can tell us about the New Zealand system, its advantages and disadvantages, and what options there are for improvement.

The forum will be held on 10 June 2004, 9 am to 5 pm, at Science House, Turnbull Street, in Wellington. Speakers are coming from overseas, from the New Zealand research, science and technology administration, New Zealand research, and also from industry. Group discussions will be held to consider the issues raised. We hope that many working researchers will be able to attend, taking this opportunity to engage in a dialogue with policy-makers.

Prior to the forum an evidence base will be made available in order to inform the discussion. The RSNZ will provide summaries of existing relevant literature and links to in depth studies.

A summary of the forum details is available here.

Further information can be requested by emailing Jez Weston or you can register here. The cost will be $100, or $50 for RSNZ members, including GST. Lunch will be provided. Please advise of any special dietary requirements.

Registration form

Please register me for the conference Setting Research Directions forum on 10 June 2004. Registration fee includes morning and afternoon teas, and lunch.

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Costs

Non-members	$100
Members of the RSNZ (NB: this is not membership of local branches)	$50

Please debit my VISA Mastercard for $
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I have sent a cheque made out to The Royal Society of New Zealand by post (PO Box 598, Wellington).

GST Reg. No. 10-575-117. All prices include 12.5% GST.

I authorise the Royal Society to use the foregoing information to update the online Directory of NZ Scientists & Technologists.