Australia's chief scientist includes open access in STEM vision

Australia’s chief scientist Ian Chubb has presented recommendations to the country’s parliament for a national strategy on research in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). Amongst other things, his report highlighted the role that open access could play.

Chubb called for the country to ‘enhance dissemination of Australian STEM research by expanding open access policies and improving the supporting infrastructure.’

He also recommended that Australia ‘support the translation and commercialisation of STEM discoveries through … a modern and flexible IP framework that embraces a range of capabilities from open access regimes to smart and agile use of patent and technology transfer strategies.’

In addition, the report recommends increasing communication and engagement between STEM research and the wider community.

‘Science is infrastructure and it is critical to our future. We must align our scientific effort to the national interest; focus on areas of particular importance or need; and do it on a scale that will make a difference to Australia and a changing world,’ Chubb told Australia’s Parliament House.