Researchers face an increasingly hostile environment, with intimidation and harassment originating from a variety of external actors. Learn more about the problem and the actions needed by different stakeholders here.‍The Researcher Support Consortium has a suite of tools aimed at funders, research institutions, and researchers. These issues are ever increasing, making it even more important to have ways and means to effectively mitigate them. Researcher Support Consortium researchersupport.org  ‍

‍The New Zealand Association of Scientists is lamenting four decades of navel gazing on science policy, resulting in a confusing research, science, innovation and technology system with declining performance, capacity and trust. Big national goals must underpin scientific researchNZ’s dependence on the primary sector should make it a priority, say scientists. www.farmersweekly.co.nz  ‍

‍‍"The reform will maximise the value of the $1.2 billion of taxpayer money that we already put into the science sector each year, creating a much more dynamic science innovation and tech system." Crown Research Institutes to merge into three mega science groups | RNZ NewsNIWA, GNS, ESR and numerous other bodies are set to be pulled together. www.rnz.co.nz  ‍

‍"So we want to see a real commitment to actually preserving you know the core human asset that make up our science system, our science system is people and just saying we'll merge some organisations and that's going to create efficiency is one thing - a commitment to actually preserving the people who do the work which is the only reason you have a science system - that's quite another." Scientists' association worries Crown Research Institutes reform will lead to more job cuts | RNZ NewsThe New Zealand Association of Scientists co-president says she does not want to see major job losses through the government's science reforms. www.rnz.co.nz

‍The SSAG was tasked with developing 2 reports. The first report was delivered in mid-2024. This focused on issues identified in the current system, and suggests a future architecture of the science, innovation and technology system needed to promote New Zealand’s productivity and broader social, environmental and economic future. Science System Advisory Group | Ministry of Business, Innovation & EmploymentThe Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has convened a group of experts to provide advice on strengthening the science, innovation and technology system, including the challenges and aspirations of the sector, and opportunities for growth.

‍The seven Crown Research Institutes will be replaced by three Public Research Organisations (PROs) focusing on bio-economy, earth sciences, and health and forensic sciences, while an advanced technology PRO will focus on the likes of artificial intelligence, quantum and synthetic biology technologies. Callaghan Innovation is to be disestablished, with its key functions moved to other parts of the system. Reforms to NZ's science sector - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz  ‍

‍“The reforms will maximise the value of the $1.2 billion in government funding that goes into the science sector each year, creating a more dynamic science, innovation and technology system that can respond to priorities and keep pace with technological advances,” Ms Collins says. Reforms to boost science sector and economyScience, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced the largest reset of the New Zealand science system in more than 30 years with reforms which will boost the economy and benefit the sector. www.beehive.govt.nz  ‍

‍The Science System Advisory Group (SSAG) report calls for expanding industrial PhD programs, where students work on real-world challenges in collaboration with businesses or public sector organisations. This model is widely used internationally, giving students firsthand industry experience while advancing applied research. NZ universities need to up their game on teaching entrepreneurship - NewsroomFrom the University of Auckland - Opinion: As long as Kiwi students don’t see entrepreneurship as a viable career path, we’ll continue to export great ideas only to see them commercialised elsewhere. newsroom.co.nz  ‍

‍But the SSAG report states that the idea that the expoitation of IP can generate significant income is “naive”, and while “much talk” is made of the private sector needing to invest, public investments must also “significantly increase”. Yes to science sector growth, but where’s the investment?Researchers say the science sector needs a serious funding boost to produce the promised economic outcomes. www.waikatotimes.co.nz  ‍

‍The PSA is calling on incoming Science Minister Shane Reti to commit to retaining New Zealand’s valuable science workforce and prevent any further job losses. www.scoop.co.nzThe country can’t afford to lose any more skilled workers - the reforms Minister Reti will now drive will only succeed if the Government properly respects and values the existing workforce who now face more uncertainty on top of a year of restructuring. www.scoop.co.nz  ‍

‍Collins said the four new PROs would “play a role in stewardship of public good science”, but would be designed to maximise the long-term benefits of “NZ Inc”. Universities and science united in New Zealand overhaulSeven institutes folded into four in major reshaping of research landscape www.timeshighereducation.com  ‍

‍"The earlier you can teach prospective scientists some basics about communicating science to a public audience, the better," Mr Broni said."It’s not just getting [the public] to understand the science, but what it means to them or potentially could mean to them in everyday life." Students sample science life at camps | Otago Daily Times Online News www.odt.co.nz  ‍