Building a Better Research System Together

‍Last month, Dr. Aisling Rayne and colleagues published a comment in Nature Human Behaviour describing the unjustness of the current science system and proposing that collective action is needed to improve it. Although I had no role in this piece, I know many of the authors and have been very supportive of the Kindness In Science movement founded by several of them. This piece is a welcome addition to the discourse around research systems, both globally and here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

In 2020, I joined the New Zealand Association of Scientists council for a year to lend a hand in calling for a review and renewal of our research system. One might like to think that the central government heard us and initiated Te Ara Paerangi / Future Pathways via a green paper released in 2021. My view is that we were one group among many (inside and outside of government and the research sector) who recognised the poor shape of our research system and the toll it was taking on those working in it, and called for change in their own ways.

Many people across the research sector got involved in the process, attending hui, participating in working groups, writing submissions, etc. We started this site with the clear aim to provide a place for collective action and an exemplar of sharing ideas with submission snippets. The consultation and submission process took a lot of time and energy from those who engaged with it. For most of them, it was unpaid, and on top of an already crowded and often precarious work situation. It was exhausting.

As MBIE's process progressed, fissures in the tertiary education system became apparent to everyone. Many have lost their jobs. Others have added responsibilities as a result. Stress levels are high all around.

Somehow, and in spite of the mess the system is in, collective action must be fostered to build a better research system. That is what our site re-launch is intended to help with. To be that place where people can come together, in kindness, solidarity and hopefulness, to address key issues that can have broad impact. Think about the efforts by many ECRs and friends calling attention to the sub-minimum wage PhD researcher stipend from the Marsden Fund. With pressure for a specific change by a wide group of people, the Royal Society increased the stipend. We will announce a campaign along those lines with the site re-launch.

We welcome you to bring your ideas and your mates here to work together in a way that each can put in the energy they have knowing that another will do the same when they tire. This is a key take home message from the piece below. Please read it and use the share buttons on this post to tell others.