Maximising the benefits from Australia’s formal linkages to global scientific activities

Science by nature is an international enterprise. Contributing to progress in science, developing excellence in Australian science, and maximising the benefits of science requires that Australia participates fully in this enterprise.

This report assembles an inventory of significant global scientific organisations and collaborative opportunities in which Australian scientists and scientific institutions might reasonably be expected to be involved, and maps the extent to which Australia is currently engaged in these programs and the benefits that flow from that engagement.

The report finds that Australia is reasonably well engaged with global scientific activities.

Approximately 100 major global scientific organisations are identified, along with many more significant activities and organisations under these.

Several clear benefits from Australia’s formal engagement with global scientific organisations are identified, including leadership opportunities, scientific conferences, collaborations, and political influence. 

The study also identified several strategically important gaps and recommended that Australia rejoin some organisations.