Research & Development Policy
The Acton Institute has been actively involved in addressing the performance of Australia's Research and Development policy and strategy. This continues with the ongoing decline in Australia's National Research and Development effort.
Current Projects
Governing Regional Innovation Ecosystems
This research project investigates the governance challenges and mechanisms of regional innovation ecosystems, seeking to understand how different jurisdictions manage the complex interplay between economic development objectives and broader public outcomes in innovation precincts, districts, and hubs.
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The study addresses the tensions arising from multiple stakeholders, including national, state, and local planning agencies, infrastructure developers, universities, property developers, and the startup community. Through comparative analysis of Australian and international innovation districts, the project explores fundamental differences in governance approaches, examining how federal systems and metropolitan governance structures shape institutional arrangements and decision-making processes.
A central focus of the research is understanding the implications of multiple landowners and varying development control authorities within innovation precincts. The investigation will examine governance models in Barcelona, London, Boston, and Toronto, comparing their frameworks with Australian examples in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney. The research particularly seeks to understand how different jurisdictions approach the balance between commercial property development pressures and the need to maintain affordable, flexible spaces for emerging innovative enterprises.
The project will evaluate several potential governance models for innovation districts, ranging from special purpose development authorities to incorporated associations. This analysis will consider varying institutional contexts while examining international practices. The research aims to contribute new insights into how innovation districts might better balance commercial imperatives with public good outcomes through effective governance structures, generating findings relevant to policymakers, urban planners, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders globally.
Disrupting the R&D Paradigm in the Digital Age
In an era where the pace of technological advancement is unprecedented, the domain of research and development (R&D) is undergoing a profound transformation. This project explores this significant shift, focusing on how digital technologies are reshaping the landscape of R&D in diverse industries.
This project recognises that the traditional models of R&D are being challenged and redefined by the advent of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and blockchain. These technologies are not merely tools enhancing existing processes; they are catalysts fundamentally altering how research is conceptualised, conducted, and commercialised. The implications of this shift are vast and varied, affecting everything from the speed and efficiency of R&D processes to the very nature of the workforce required to drive innovation forward.
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The project is structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of the digital disruption in R&D. It begins by tracing the evolution of R&D practices, providing a historical context that sets the stage for appreciating the magnitude of current changes. It delves into the specific technologies at the forefront of this disruption, exploring their individual and collective impacts on the R&D sector.
It also examines how these technological advances have democratised R&D, enabling startups and smaller firms to challenge established players and bring innovative products and solutions to the market more rapidly and cost-effectively.
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However digital R&D involves a cost. With ever-increasing sophistication in hardware, software and applications, the financial implications on R&D budgets are profound.
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The transformation of the R&D workforce in response to these technological changes is another critical area of focus. The demand for new skill sets, the challenge of talent acquisition, and the role of education and training are explored to understand how the human element of R&D is evolving.
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In addressing these themes, the project goes beyond merely describing changes. It aims to provide insights and strategies for businesses, policymakers, and academic institutions to navigate and leverage the disruption in R&D.
The project outcomes are intended for a broad audience, including R&D professionals, business leaders, policymakers, academics, and anyone interested in understanding the rapidly changing landscape of innovation.
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The project is not just an analysis of the current state of R&D. It aims to provoke thought about its future directions. This book is an invitation to engage with the unfolding story of R&D in the digital age, to understand its challenges, and to envisage its vast possibilities.
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International Comparisons of Research Systems
Over the period March-June 2023, we undertook a survey analysis of university research and research funding systems (and how it fits within the broader innovation ecosystem) of Australia’s international competitors. With the permission of the Department, this work will be extended and updated.
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