Inquiry into Research Training and Research Workforce Issues in Australian Universities
The House of Representatives Industry, Science and Innovation Committee has announced an inquiry into the contribution that Australian universities make to Australian research training, and the challenges those universities face in recruiting, training and retaining quality research staff.
This inquiry "focuses on current university research training programs and some of the challenges universities face in this area. This includes the adequacy and effectiveness of current research training schemes, the factors that determine whether new graduates pursue a career in research, and the opportunities for career advancement for research graduates and staff” (from the Inquiry Media Release, available below).
Full details on Inquiry and its Terms of Reference are available by following the link below.
This Inquiry offers a rare opportunity to offer evidence and feedback on the Commonwealth framework for research training (the Research Training Scheme or RTS).
Affiliates are encouraged to forward a written submission to the committee on their views on the RTS, its impact, and opportunities for improvement, even if amounts to only a couple of pages (please refer to the Terms of Reference for details).
Written submissions will be considered by the Committee in advance of public hearings, due to commence from July.
Background Resources for making a submission:
- A summary of CAPA's engegement on issues surrounding the Research Training Scheme is available on the Issues page under "RTS"
- One of the best resources for making a submission is the excellent briefing paper prepared in 2002 entitled Implementing the Research Training Scheme: The consequences for postgraduate research students
CAPA's submission to the Inquiry is available via the link below.