ASAF critical findings: eight priority areas at risk

The Academy’s report projects capability gaps in eight key science areas that will be most in demand by 2035: agricultural science, AI, biotechnology, climate science, data science, epidemiology, geoscience, and materials science.

The analysis found:

• We aren't training enough geoscientists, yet our economy rests heavily on resources, and critical minerals is a priority of the National Reconstruction Fund under ‘value-add in resources’.
• Jobs in artificial intelligence (AI) are expected to surge, yet only one in four Year 12 students is studying mathematics – the fundamental science discipline underpinning AI.
• We’re facing national shortages of materials scientists, and the workforce in process and resources engineering is also projected to decline.
• The current pipeline and study choices of students is not aligned with the needs of our future workforce, with declining STEM participation and teacher shortages a looming threat.

Rating scale for the graphic above:

• Green thumb: No trends decreasing. No gap or unlikely to have a gap in capability.
• Amber thumb: Some trends decreasing or no majority of increasing trends. Some gap or likely gap in capability.
• Red thumb: Most trends decreasing. Existing gap or certain gap in capability.
• Question mark: Insufficient data available.

This report provides critical, evidence-based, in-depth analyses that will inform science and policy leaders tasked with shaping the Australian science, education and immigration landscapes. In addition, it can act as a guide for philanthropists looking to make nation-building investment decisions.

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