Media Releases

The quality of research training must be recognised in research funding

30 Sep 15

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) is disappointed to see calls by other peak bodies in higher education for changes to the allocation formula of performance based block grant funding that may potentially subvert the purpose for which funding is intended.

In 2015 the Research Training Scheme (RTS), and Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) accounted for more than 50% of the block grant funding available to universities. Calls for research block grant funding to be divided along the lines of research engagement, commercialisation or Excellence in Research for Australia framework (ERA) scores are ignoring the purpose for which this funding is intended, to train high quality research postgraduates.

“The ERA may be an excellent measure of research quality, but it contains no measure of quality for research training, there is no clear evidence to suggest that an ERA score of 3 or even 5 is an indication of high quality training” Said the National President Harry Rolf.

High level measures of research engagement such as the ERA or the Research Engagement for Australia (REA) being developed by the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) overlook the contribution of postgraduate students to research.

Research postgraduates are likely to work on projects which engage end users and form collaborations between universities and other organisations. But this engagement is not visible in high level income data, or even in the current allocation of research training funds.

“If the objective is to drive research engagement, or commercial returns then research postgraduates who in 2012 made up 57% of the human resources dedicated to Research and Development (R&D) in the higher education sector must not be overlooked in a conversation about research funding”.

“Quality of research training, graduate outcomes or the contributions made to research during training might usefully be included in block grant funding formula to enhance these outcomes and support research postgraduates”.

CAPA wants to see the value of postgraduate students receive greater attention in research policy and funding arrangements as well as by universities. For example a research postgraduate undertaking a Thesis-By-Publication produces their thesis as a series of publications in peer-reviewed journals. This model is becoming increasingly popular, and in some disciplines is a requirement. But in this model the postgraduate is producing research work that also benefits their institution financially.

“This scenario raises several important questions, what proportion of publications counted by the ERA can be attributed to research postgraduates? Should this behaviour be encouraged, should research postgraduates be compensated for this research work, and controversially are they at risk of being exploited”?
CAPA is convinced that research postgraduates have an important role to play, more than just students they are active members of a universities research workforce even before graduation. But this contribution must receive greater recognition.

“By recognising the contribution of research postgraduates the benefits can be encouraged, they can form part of a conversation about quality research training. These issues and opportunities are further outlined in our submission to the Watt review of Research Policy and Funding Arrangements” Concluded Mr Rolf.

Attachment: MEDIA RELEASE The quality of research training must be recognised in research funding

Media Contact:

Harry Rolf | National President |  president@capa.edu.au
Caitlin Bruty | Media Officer | media@capa.edu.au