Preliminary Pages

Membership of the Committee

 

Chair	Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP
Deputy Chair	Hon Fran Bailey MP
Members	Mr James Bidgood MP	Mr Michael Johnson MP
	Mr Nick Champion MP	Mr Rowan Ramsey MP
	Mr Darren Cheeseman MP	Ms Amanda Rishworth MP
	Dr Dennis Jensen MP	Mr Mike Symon MP

 

Committee Secretariat

 

Secretary	Mr Russell Chafer
Inquiry Secretary	Mr Anthony Overs
Research Officer	Ms Natalya Wells
Administrative Officers	Ms Naomi Swann Mr Angus Hogg

 

Terms of reference

 

The Inquiry will examine:

1.         The contribution that Australian universities make to research training in Australia, including:

a)         The contribution of research training programs to Australia’s competitiveness in the areas of science, research and innovation;

b)         The effectiveness of current Commonwealth research training schemes; and

c)         The adequacy of current research training schemes to support Australia’s anticipated future requirements for tertiary-qualified professionals in a wide range of disciplines.

2.         The challenges Australian universities face in training, recruiting and retaining high quality research graduates and staff, including, but not limited to:

a)         Adequacy of training and support (including income support) available to research graduate students in Australia;

b)         Factors for graduates that determine pursuit of a career in research;

c)         Opportunities for career advancement for research graduates and staff;

d)        Factors determining pursuit of research opportunities overseas;

e)         Australia’s ability to compete internationally for high quality researchers; and

f)          Whether Australia’s academic workforce is ageing, and the impact this may have on Australia’s research capacity.