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Council review
ARC consultation papers released .
By Emilie Lauer
Following the review of the Australian Research Council Act , the government is now seeking feedback from academics and researchers before its final report in March 2023 .
The consultation papers , open until mid-December , have identified nine major points to improve grant funding attribution and the management of the ARC .
The ARC review was announced by Federal education minister Jason Clare in August and aims to provide a stricter timeframe and more transparency around grant application processes .
The review followed the impromptu move of acting minister for education Stuart Robert to cut six ARC approved humanities research grants in late 2021 .
Robert ’ s actions received a backlash by the sector and pushed two senior council members to resign .
It is the first time the ARC Act is reviewed since it was established in 2001 .
Clare said the review is essential as delays and political interference have damaged the ARC reputation and made it harder for universities to retain or recruit staff .
“ I think we need to take the politics out of research ,” Clare wrote in the Australian Research Magazine 2023 .
“ When grants are delayed or rejected because the minister doesn ’ t like the title page , it ’ s harder to recruit and retain staff and it undermines confidence in our research system .
“ That ’ s why I have said we need to make sure all future grant rounds are delivered on time , to a predetermined time frame .”
The consultation papers include opportunities to ‘ redefine ’ the role of the ARC and its research funding areas .
It also suggested the re-establishment of a four to six person board appointed by the minister , composed by experienced researchers with skills in a broad range of ARC disciplines .
Ministerial interference will be tackled by removing the ‘ Minister ’ s discretion ’ as politicians would be obliged to notify their intervention in the grant process and give detailed reasons to the Parliament .
In a letter of expectations sent to the council , Clare had asked for “ clearer ” and “ simpler ” guidelines for research applicants to minimise workloads and promote transparency .
The review is now considering options to remove and reduce “ prescriptive , inflexible , outdated administrative and legislative burdens ”.
The expert panel also aimed to simplify the National Interest Test ( NIT ) as 322 of 2,457 applications across 6 schemes were requested to revise their statement at least once in the 2022 grant rounds .
“ There is potential individual and collective benefit to be gained by researchers if public understanding of and support for research can be extended and consolidated ,” the consultation papers read .
“ There may be better ways to communicate the possible outcomes in a way that the language is more easily understood by the community .”
That review led by vice-chancellor of the Queensland University of Technology professor Margaret Sheil AO , University of Adelaide professor Mark Hutchinson and professor Susan Dodds from La Trobe University started in September and will give its final report next March .
Universities Australia said they look forward to engaging with the review panel to achieve the best outcomes possible for researchers .
“ This is the next step in ensuring we have a research council with strong governance , robust peer review and genuine transparency at its core ,” Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said . ■
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