Submissions and position statements

The EMCR Forum makes occasional submissions to government inquiries and reviews on behalf of the Australian EMCR community. Become a member of the EMCR Forum in order to stay apprised of relevant consultations and have your say. Below is a list of submissions that the EMCR Forum has tendered to previous consultations.

2023

• Submission on the draft National Science and Research Priorities
  On 29 September 2023, the EMCR Forum made a submission to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources on the draft National Science and Research Priorities (PDF, 211KB)
• Future Campus Article
  The EMCR Forum's op-ed titled "Research misconduct linked to bullying: EMCRs" was published in Future Campus, Issue 14, on 21 September 2023.
  Download our article (PDF, 195KB)
• Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review: draft recommendations:
  On 8 September 2023, the EMCR Forum made a submission to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources on the Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review: draft recommendations (PDF, 245KB) highlighting diversity and inclusion issues from the EMCR perspective.
• Australian Universities Accord Interim Report: 
  On 1 September 2023, the EMCR Forum made a submission to the Department of Education on the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report (PDF, 285KB).
• Improving alignment and coordination between the Medical Research Future Fund and NHMRC’s Medical Research Endowment Account:
  On 14 July 2023, the EMCR Forum made a submission to the Department of Health and Aged Care on improving alignment and coordination between the MRFF and NHMRC’s MREA (PDF, 284KB).
• Australia’s science and research priorities: conversation starter
  On 5 April 2023, the EMCR Forum made a submission to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources on Australia’s science and research priorities: conversation starter (PDF, 216KB).
• Australian Research Council's Discovery Program Grant Process Review
  On 17 March 2023, the EMCR Forum made a submission to the ARC’s Discovery Program Grant Process Review (PDF, 287KB).
• Sydney Morning Herald article
  The EMCR Forum Executive shared our views on the preprint 'The Australian academic STEMM workplace post-COVID: a picture of disarray' in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald on 16 February 2023 '‘Psychopaths get an edge’: Half of young researchers harassed or bullied, says study'.
• Nature career news article
  The EMCR Forum Executive shared our views on the preprint 'The Australian academic STEMM workplace post-COVID: a picture of disarray' in an article in Nature on 23 January 2023 'Early-career researchers in Australia are miserable at work'.

2022

• Review of the Australian Research Council Act
  On 19 December 2022, the EMCR Forum made a submission to the independent review of the Australian Research Council Act (2001) (PDF, 280KB).
• Research Block Grant reform
  The EMCR Forum made a submission to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (PDF, 124KB) on the consultation paper “Research block grant reform to boost incentives for greater university and industry collaboration”. 
• Australian Research Council Amendment (Ensuring Research Independence) Bill 2018
  The EMCR Forum contributed to the Australian Academy of Science's submission (PDF, 205KB) on the Australian Research Council Amendment (Ensuring Research Independence) Bill 2018.
• Nature news article
  The EMCR Forum contributed to the Nature news article on 13 May 2022: ‘Dark mood’: Australian researchers lament state of science ahead of election.

2021

• University Research Commercialisation Scheme
  The EMCR Forum made a submission to the the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (PDF, 288KB) on the proposed University Research Commercialisation Scheme.

2020

• Australian Research Council consultation
  The EMCR Forum made a submission to the Australian Research Council review of Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) and the Engagement and Impact Assessment (EI).
• Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities
  The EMCR Forum made a submission to the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board consultation on the development of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities for 2020-22 reflecting the views of EMCRs on the review.
• Inquiry into the Victorian Government’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
  The EMCR Forum made a submission to the inquiry into the Victorian Government’s Response to the COVID-19 pandemic to comment on the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on EMCRs in Victoria and outline measures the Victorian Government can use to support the Victorian research sector
• Inquiry into higher education support amendment Bill 2020
  On 10 September 2020, the EMCR Forum made a submission to the Senate inquiry into the Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020.
• Job-ready Graduates Package
  On 17 August 2020, the EMCR Forum made a submission to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment consultation on the Job-ready Graduates Package.

2019

• Increasing the diversity of Australia’s research workforce
  The EMCR Forum made a submission to the Australian Research Council consultation on Increasing the diversity of Australia’s research workforce: a pathway to gender equality in ARC grant funding processes
• NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme
  The EMCR Forum made a submission on the NHMRC consultation on the Post Graduate Scholarship Scheme.
• Position statement on the 2019 Federal Election
  The EMCR Forum released a position statement on the 2019 Federal Election putting forward its recommendations and shared commitments to support STEM professionals in Australia.
• The social and economic benefits of improving mental health
  The EMCR Forum and the Australian Brain Alliance EMCR Network made a submission to the Productivity Commission's inquiry into the effect of mental health.

2018

• Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
  The EMCR Forum made a submission to the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science’s consultation on a National Strategy for Women in STEM.
• Funding Australia’s Research
  The EMCR Forum made a submission to the House of Representative’s Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training Inquiry into Funding Australia's Research.
• Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
  The EMCR Forum Executive made a submission to the MRFF consultation to inform the second Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities 2018 – 2020
• Women in STEM Decadal Plan
  The EMCR Forum made a submission to help inform the Australian Academy of Science’s development of the Women in STEM Decadal Plan.
• On 29 October 2018 the EMCR Forum released a statement (PDF, 75KB) expressing their concern that Ministerial veto has been made on grant applications recommended for funding by the Australian research Council.

2017

• 2030 strategic plan for the Australia Innovation, Science and Research System
  The EMCR Forum made a submission to Innovation and Science Australia’s consultation to assist in the development of a 2030 strategic plan for the Australia Innovation, Science and Research System.
• Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence
  The EMCR Forum made a submission to the Australian Research Council’s consultation on Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE).
• NHMRC Peer review consultation
  On 4 December the EMCR Forum made a submission to the National Health and Medical Research Council’s consultation on peer review.

2016

• Structural Review of the NHMRC’s Grant Program
  The EMCR Forum provided advice on the potential impact on EMCRs of changes to the NHMRC grant program during the Structural Review of the NHMRC’s Grant Program. They also made an official submission to the public consultation.
• New Program Guidelines for Research Block Grants for universities
  Read the EMCR Forum’s submission to the Department of Educations and Training’s consultation on new program guidelines for Research Block Grants for Universities.
• ARC-NISA Research Engagement and Impact Assessment consultation
  The EMCR Forum made a submission to the ARC’s consultation into Research Engagement and Impact Assessment as part of the National Innovation Science Agenda.
• Medical Research Future Fund consultation
  Read the EMCR Forum’s submission to the MRFF consultation for the development of the Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy and Related Priorities.

2015

• Review of Australia's Research Training System
  The EMCR Forum tendered a submission to the review of Australia's research training system commissioned by the Minister for Education and Training.
• Vision for a Science Nation—Responding to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics: Australia's Future
  Read the EMCR Forum's feedback to the Government's Vision for a Science Nation. The Vision for a Science Nation was produced in response to Ian Chubb, Chief Scientist of Australia's recommendations on STEM set out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics: Australia's Future.
• Current and Emerging Issues for NHMRC Fellowship Schemes consultation paper
  The EMCR Forum's submission to the NHMRC's consultation into Current and Emerging Issues for NHMRC Fellowship Schemes.

2014

• 'Boosting the commercial returns from research' discussion paper
  Read the EMCR forum's response to the Government's consultation.
• Senate Economics References Committee inquiry into Australia's Innovation System
  The EMCR forum provided a submission to the inquiry into Australia's Innovation System.
• Australian Research Council proposed changes to funding rules
  Read the EMCR forum's consultation response.

2012

• Strategic Review for Health and Medical Research (the McKeon Review)
  Read the EMCR forum's submission to the McKeon Review, follow-up submission, and response to the Consultation Paper.