policy & reform
Research must prove its worth
To attract further research investment, universities must demonstrate the benefits in dollar terms. By Mike Calford
Australia is well poised to be a leading nation in discovery, innovation, knowledge exchange and impact. We have a proud history of excellence, both in the basic sciences and in research translation, and our research effort across a breadth of disciplines has been a key driver of our national productivity. So what can we aspire to in terms of changing the lives of Australians through research?
The Excellence in Innovation for Australia( EIA) Trial, the findings of which were released at the end of November last year, sharpened the focus on the Australian research system, on our future and on the impact of our endeavours. Its goal was to identify the economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits to society of highquality research.
The research sector must be able to show that we can, and indeed have, spent wisely the public’ s investment in our work. We cannot expect continued or increased investment without demonstrating the returns. While there are many ways to illustrate the benefits of research, ultimately
18 | Issue 2 2013 these need to be expressed in dollars and productivity.
The EIA trial examined the impact of research undertaken in Australian universities. While universities have long used traditional academic performance measures – ranging from major international rankings to the well-regarded Excellence in Research for Australia( ERA) assessment – the EIA trial demonstrated that it is feasible to move beyond these to examine the tangible impact on society of university-conducted research.
Undertaken by 12 universities, including the University of Newcastle, the EIA trial evaluated more than 160 case studies across four broad clusters – defence, economic development, society and environment – for research impact.
While some may doubt it is possible to demonstrate an economic return on university research for individual projects, it is not difficult to demonstrate the overall impact. At Newcastle, one single case study demonstrates a return on investment equal to 50 years of our income from external research grants. The Jameson Cell, a mineral flotation device developed by our Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson, has been revolutionary in improving the separation of minerals. There are more than 300 of the devices operating in Australia alone. In economic terms, the Jameson Cell is estimated to add more than $ 4 billion per year to the value of Australia’ s resources exports.
This success stems from an investment in expertise applied to a real-world problem and compares to celebrated studies and inventions at other Australian universities; for instance the cochlear implant, ResMed’ s CPAP device, the benefits to pregnant women of a dietary supplement of folic acid, and Gardasil.
The Australian Research Committee( ARCom) also released the National Research Investment Plan( NRIP) in November 2012 and it was warmly welcomed by the sector. The NRIP promises to be the cornerstone to consolidating our national research effort and strategic investment mechanisms in a cohesive national research system. It has reinforced the fact that if Australia is to cement its position at the forefront of international research then we must continue to build our capacity for research and knowledge exchange.
The NRIP’ s aims will be fulfilled only if they are embraced by government and business and if we, the higher education sector, prove our credentials and demonstrate the impact of our research beyond institutional and discipline boundaries. An exercise akin to the EIA trial to demonstrate the impact of universities’ research is an essential next step. ■
Professor Mike Calford is deputy vicechancellor( research) at the University of Newcastle.