National Press Club Address – Wednesday 28 May
Professor Richard Holden, Scientia Professor of Economics at UNSW Sydney and President Emeritus of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, is available to discuss why Australia must bolster and protect our research sector through investment.
On Wednesday, 28 May, Prof. Holden will address the National Press Club of Australia on Securing Australia’s Sovereign Research Capability. He will appear alongside Nobel Laureate Professor Brian Schmidt AC, former Vice-Chancellor of the Australian National University.
As Anthony Albanese’s newly elected Government seeks to supercharge national productivity, Prof. Holden will argue that sovereign research capacity is the most underleveraged driver of Australia’s economic resilience. He will demonstrate how our current funding model is both unsustainable and strategically risky.
Key points from Prof. Holden’s address will include:
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Why Australia must end its over-reliance on international student fees to fund research.
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The urgent need for public investment in frontier research areas, including quantum computing, green energy, water management and advanced manufacturing.
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How shifting geopolitics – including Donald Trump’s hostility towards universities – presents Australia with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to attract global research talent.
Donald Trump’s war on universities has already jeopardised an estimated $300 million in research funding for Australian academics. But Prof. Holden argues the President’s attacks on research create opportunities here, with many leading scholars questioning the US as the cradle of intellectual innovation. If Australia has a robust and appealing research ecosystem, it can become a beacon for some of the world’s great minds.
Contact details:
Professor Richard Holden is available for interviews following the speech, and can come to the Canberra Press Gallery.
For interviews, please contact Ben Knight, External Communications Officer, UNSW Sydney
02 9065 4915
[email protected]
