STEM practitioners ‘need to learn the language of business’

Australia’s representative body for scientists and technologists plans to train its constituents in the ways of business, after spending years coaching them in the manners of politics.

Science and Technology Australia (STA) said its Science Meets the Economy initiative would advance the sector’s efforts to plant scientific literacy in the corridors of power.

The programme will help address the under-representation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) expertise in “boardrooms, executive teams and other key decision-making forums” by producing “STEM professionals who can operate confidently across both scientific and commercial environments”, STA said.

“For too long, Australia’s R&D system has been fragmented, with too few pathways connecting researchers, industry and decision-makers,” said STA president Jas Chambers. “We need to embed scientific and technical expertise alongside financial, legal, risk and strategic capabilities.

“Stronger collaboration between research and industry drives innovation, attracts investment and creates jobs. That happens successfully when people can move between those worlds, understanding both the science and the commercial realities of business. We are stepping up to build that two-way literacy.”

The programme will help participants understand “the economic forces shaping industries and investment” by offering insights into “how businesses make decisions and manage risk”, and “how to communicate scientific evidence in commercially relevant ways”.

Alumni will be equipped to take on “influential roles” as advisers, board members and industry partners, STA said.

The initiative has been revealed on the sidelines of the 26th Science Meets Parliament, STA’s scheme to connect STEM professionals with political decision-makers, first aired in 1999.

“Together, the two programmes will help develop a pipeline of leaders able to navigate and influence Australia’s policy, business and research ecosystems,” STA said.

This year’s Science Meets Parliament programme includes presentations from chief scientist Tony Haymet, former opposition leader Bill Shorten, shadow science minister Aaron Violi, assistant science minister Andrew Charlton and reigning science minister Tim Ayres, who will also address the National Press Club.

Panellists during the two-day event include politicians Mehreen Faruqi, Maria Kovacic, Zaneta Mascarenhas, David Pocock, Monique Ryan and Anne Webster; public service leaders Meghan Quinn and Jasmina Joldić; former National Health and Medical Research Council boss Anne Kelso, business executive Denise Goldsworthy and television presenter Greg Jennett.

john.ross@timeshighereducation.com