The latest research, science and innovation system report card is now available, and outlines how the system is performing, Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods has announced.
Her press statement highlighted these points:
- New Zealand’s FCR cited research ratio is twice the world average
- Investment in R&D is increasing
- Case studies underscore how a science based COVID-19 response helped save lives
- In 2019, Māori and Pacific people represented 5 per cent of PhD graduates.
The minister’s statement portends reformation of the country’s science sector.
Dr Woods said:
“The report seeks to increase transparency, act as a reliable data source and stimulate discussion between the RSI sector, government and all those who benefit from the RSI system.
“We have a world leading science and research system, and this report highlights some great examples of the significant impact science has on our economy, environment and society, like our highly successful scientific response to COVID-19. But as with every system, there are some areas which we need to focus more attention on.
“I’m not going to sugar coat the areas we can improve on, including supporting and retaining a more diverse workforce and ensuring the system is able to more quickly adapt to changing priorities. That’s why we are about to start an open and wide ranging conversation on what a future research system might look like.
“Encouraging equity, diversity and inclusion in the system ensures we capture the very best ideas and talent to support the highest quality research, which ultimately leads to better outcomes for New Zealanders. It is encouraging to see an increasing number of Māori and Pacific Peoples graduating with Doctoral level degrees. I’d like to see this trend continue.”
The Research, Science and Innovation System Performance Report is available on the MBIE website as an interactive online tool https://www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-technology/science-and-innovation/research-and-data/sector-data/
The report is a snapshot of how the New Zealand science and innovation system is performing in major areas. It covers people, skills, knowledge, infrastructure and funding across government, as well as education and business.
The report is intended to be a resource for the RSI sector who contribute to the performance of the science and innovation system.
The purpose is to:
- increase transparency by publishing regular data on expenditure, outputs, impacts and performance of the science and innovation system
- inform government policy decisions and longer-term strategy
- report on progress against government goals
- highlight strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in the system and stimulate discussion among policymakers, funders, researcher institutes, businesses and ‘end-users’ to improve system performance.
The latest report is the third in a series about research, science and innovation in New Zealand – the previous reports were in 2016 and 2018.
This year is the first time the biennial Research, Science and Innovation System Performance Report has been designed as an interactive digital tool, alongside a print copy accessible through the online report.
The new digital format allows users to undertake more granular analysis of source data, which the government hopes will lead to additional insights in future.
The Research, Science and Innovation Report is HERE
Soource: Minister of Research, Science and Innovation
