August saw the launch of a major ‘blue water’ research-vessel project by CSIRO’s staff and Government.  The nation’s research ship will serve us proudly and will be named after a national competition.  We should celebrate and reflect on the public’s social need for research and discovery.

The CSIRO Staff Association represents over three thousand scientists and support staff and has advocated for a new CSIRO ship for years. We welcome the commitment and funding of $120M with additional operational support. The accompanying creativity and excellence will depend critically on the ship, but also on additional investment in staff and improved cooperation among scientists within Australia and internationally.

Australia is in fact the outcome of an old and ongoing scientific experiment. European development was prompted by James Cook’s voyages of discovery and astronomical observations onboard the Endeavour. Our colonial past continued the proud traditions of exploration, discovery and observations, in a new and harsh environment, as well as innovation in punishment.

Even today, the hallmarks of Australian scientific discovery are symbolised by astronomical and marine research. These are not just curiosities, but are fundamental to our practical needs and wants, just like the medical, agricultural or industrial research more obviously accepted by the public.

The artificial division between applied and pure basic research is wonderfully explored by Donald Stokes’ influential 1997 book, Pasteur’s Quadrant. The story of great discoveries motivated by practical problems should inspire us. The social-need for discovery eludes most science-policy bureaucracies on this planet and possibly beyond. We can do better than the old adage, ‘beer will change the world, I don’t know how, but it will,’ as often applied to science.

A related curious story of failed pursuit of rabbit control in Australia is told by Stephen Dando-Collins in the 2008 book Pasteur’s Gambit. Motivations for the 1926 foundation of CSIRO can in many ways be traced back to the influence of Pasteur as a science-policy innovator, as well as to rabbits.

Today’s great problems with science solutions or control need to be tackled with a passion driven by discovery, excellence and innovation. Such human capital and endeavour is sometimes thought to be the sole province of the higher education sector. This is a mistake.

The current pressing task of climate, ocean and atmospheric observation is too important to be an administrative bureaucratic function, or a research training function, but must be driven by the science-need for discovery, testing, and rigorous improvement of understanding. Scientists should direct the effort.

The 2009 European Union report on science policy, Towards a world class Frontier Research Organisation, recommends a science-led makeover of management, atoning for the ‘original sin’ of  excessive bureaucratic control. The unproductive competition for pecking order is instead better replaced by science leaders with Pasteur’s vision, seeking discoveries and knowledge with practical ends in mind.

The opportunity for Australia to enhance our discoveries and knowledge with new ‘blue water’ research is a chance to recognise the role of CSIRO, and to promote the role of scientists in shaping society.

Past changing economic ideologies have sometimes meant a stronger voice of science in society. But the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) survey of public opinions of science show that business leaders rank last on positive attitudes toward science, with only one in five accepting a strong link to society. Such scepticism runs overwhelmingly against the evidence. New thinking is required and new advice to government is needed. It is important that business and government continue to expand investment in science infrastructure and people as we emerge from the current short-term economic crisis.

Business and society also need to adapt to the long-term driving influences of innovation and sustainability. Science will crucially underpin many elements of future governance, like energy and water security, carbon emission control, and food production. The Government will also soon negotiate compacts with Universities, re-focussing their social ‘missions.’ For CSIRO all this change requires more cooperation for simpler collaboration, and more open sharing and appreciation of science.

Even Pasteur had his detractors, often with self-interested motives, and CSIRO is no stranger to criticism. But in science, if you aren’t being criticised, you aren’t doing it right! The Staff Association has long argued for increasing support for CSIRO to do more science and for its critical national stewardship of facilities and collections. This new investment will better organise and strengthen the nation for the long-term. 

We should now mostly celebrate a commitment to ‘blue water’ discovery with practical ends and the hopes of society for managing our marine resources and understanding the climate of the planet. Australia has only 0.3 per cent of the world’s human resource with 1 per cent of economic activity, but we undertake to understand and manage almost 5 per cent of the Earth’s marine territory from equator to pole. A new research vessel named to inspire us all will help.

The CSIRO Staff Association congratulates the Government and the team in CSIRO for their vision and hard work in launching the ‘blue water’ vessel project. To benefit in full we will continue to argue for a renewed culture of discovery, creativity, and cooperation, to define Australian science.

Dr Michael S. Borgas is the President CSIRO Staff Association.