IN FOCUS: SCIENCE WEEK

Gender equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is not an issue that needs solving for the future. Women working in these fields face myriad challenges right now, Francesca Maclean writes.

Rather than simply investing in research for short-term return, Australia should more carefully consider the potential benefits of its scientific pursuits, Wendy Russell writes.

Science is great at solving problems, but research funding should also reflect the crucial contributions of other disciplines to that process, Merryn McKinnon writes.

Talking about artificial intelligence alone isn’t enough. We need to discuss the systems in which it will be a critical component, Genevieve Bell, Katherine Daniell, and Amy McLennan write.

Australia’s policymakers are building a framework to reduce the risk and impact of natural hazards, but there is a need for a complementary education strategy, Annette Gough and Briony Towers write.

Improved research skills are crucial to understanding difficult issues and finding creative and evidence-based policy solutions, Gabriele Bammer writes.

Australian forest policy is prime for an overhaul, and integrating research with decision making is a crucial piece of that puzzle, Rod Keenan writes.

Over the last three decades, Australia’s government has cajoled universities to collaborate with industry. Their efforts are now having an impact, Roslyn Prinsley writes.

By connecting climate change to its material impact on the world, scientists have transformed an observation into a policy problem. The history of this discussion demonstrates the power of changing that narrative, Will Grant writes.

Better evidence-based policy addressing cultural and institutional barriers in science is required to improve gender equity across disciplines, Susan Howitt writes.