Foresight 2. Privatisation of science

Background

Government investment in science has a long and complex history. This investment peaked in the second half of the 20^th century and arguably is in decline as budget pressures on governments increase, at state and federal level in Australia, and in other countries such as Canada.
Private sector investment in science has always had a place, less so in Australia than say the US.
Within Australia, and more specifically in the marine domain, public sector investment has varied across industry sectors (e.g. little public sector research in shipping, but a lot in fisheries).
Most public sector investment in science has been funded through institutions such as universities and government research laboratories such as CSIRO, AIMS and ANSTO.
From a science-provider perspective, these government-funded institutions have played a leading role, in both research and provision of policy advice, compared to consultants and industry-funded providers, though again this has varied somewhat across industry sectors (e.g. private-sector consultants play a significant role in coastal development).
This balance is changing as government funds to support institutions reduce, as more management and research costs are attributed to industry, and also as the public “prestige” of science and government commitment to evidence-based policy and management diminishes.

Reduced support for government funded science and scientific institutions.
Increased willingness of government to accept industry-funded science in formulating policy and managing the oceans.
Increasing involvement of private sector consultants in science provision and in policy and management.
Increasing “contest” between private and public sector science advice, both because of the increasing need for public sector institutions to obtain industry funds (as government funding is reduced), and because governments increasingly seek private sector advice.
Decreasing distinction between public and private sector science (e.g. government research agencies such as CSIRO increasingly act as paid consultants to industry).

Decrease in discretionary funding to government research agencies of 50% relative to current levels.
Internal prioritization within government research agencies pushes scientific organizations towards an increasing ‘consultant’ role, increasing competition with private consultants.
Increase in deregulation at government level (policy and management).
Decrease in metrics of public confidence in government research agencies (below 75% trust scores).
Migration of scientists out of government research agencies and into roles as private sector consultants (fewer overheads and administrative burdens, better pay, more freedom).

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