ANU eyes substantial contribution to innovation review

WEDNESDAY 26 MARCH 2008

The Australian National University today announced that it would make a substantial contribution to the Federal Government’s review of the National Innovation System, hosting a series of Research and Innovation Policy Dialogue Workshops consider key issues in research and innovation.

“ANU was founded to advance the cause of learning and research in Australia. Playing an active role the development of the national research and innovation agenda is an implicit part of that charter,” ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb said.

Professor Chubb said ANU would seek input from the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, key Departmental officials and other stakeholders.

The workshop series will consider topics central to the Review, such as the true cost of research and compacts (jointly with the Group of Eight) and learning from different overseas Treasury perspectives on research and innovation policy.

Professor Chubb said the discussions would extend beyond traditional views by considering issues such as the contribution of the creative industries to the national innovation system and the economic and social importance of innovation in the service sector.

“We’ll be drawing upon the experience, insights and overseas links of the wide range of researchers and scholars working in ANU. Insights from these researchers are not always picked up in research and innovation policy studies but they are critical to this broad-ranging Review.”

Dr Mark Matthews, the recently appointed Interim Director of the ANU Research Evaluation and Policy Programme (REPP) will coordinate this new Research and Innovation Policy Project as an ANU-wide initiative encompassing both academic and administrative staff.

For further information: Jane O’Dwyer, ANU Media Office – 0416 249 231