Federated Farmers: Changing attitudes toward science

Jacqueline Rowarth

New Zealand punches above its weight in science.

Research released in December by Italian analysts shows citations (assessed as scientific impact, not just 'number of times mentioned') for New Zealand scientists are higher than for many other countries per dollar invested.

The question, however, is for how long will this state continue? And what are the implications for agriculture?

The research in the analysis was published between 1996 and 2012. In the biological area, it may well have been started a decade before that: biological research takes time to do thoroughly because biological systems are complex and research often depends upon the continuous accumulation of relatively small bits of information.

Biological scientists do their best work in maturity because complexity takes time to understand. In his book entitled The Origins of Genius, Dean Keith Simonton showed poets and physicists tend to produce their finest work in their late 20s, but geologists, biologists and novelists generally peak much later -- often not until their late middle age.

With 60 being the new 50, late middle age can be a productive and prolonged era. Most farmers in New Zealand no doubt know this already.

The challenge, however, is in recruitment on farm and in the laboratory to ensure the next generation is already on its way to understanding the complexities. Sadly, assessment of school students' attitudes to science and mathematics via OECD global comparisons indicates New Zealand students do not like learning science or mathematics as much as their international counterparts, and see less value in learning them.

Choosing whether or not to pursue science at senior secondary school and beyond is influenced by a variety of factors, including students' experiences of learning science in and out of school, their personal interests and family background, knowledge about the range of study and career options that involve science, and possibly mathematics learning experiences.

Students who continue with the three sciences are usually heading towards veterinary or medical studies, where kudos and compensation are believed to be found; very few want to be research scientists, and even fewer expect to find a research job in New Zealand.

Talking with schools about the opportunities reveals science is perceived as hard and the rewards do not compensate for extra study.

It takes at least another four years of study beyond a three-year degree to gain a PhD, and the post-doctorate salary of approximately $65,000 is less than the salary packages graduates from agriculturally-related degrees are receiving a mere 12 months after leaving university.

The numbers don't stack up for bright students to stay on at university.

The effect is clear in agribusinesses. Companies claim 'science teams' on their website, with no sign of staff with doctoral qualifications.

The few scientists that are apparent are in the prime of their life, and doing great work -- but where is the pipeline of people understanding the complexities of their organisation, as well as the biological system with which they are engaging?

Federated Farmers has made it clear that science is important.

This issue of The National Farming Review is bursting with articles on important and complex issues, such as soil awareness, biosecurity and water.

Very few, if any, advances in understanding will be made without scientific research.

Without agriculturally-focussed scientific research, and focus on regional challenges, New Zealand farmers will be under increased pressure to achieve sustainable businesses.

It is time for a rethink about how we encourage and support excellent students to continue in education so they have the scientific foundation necessary to make a difference without incurring the opportunity costs associated with the delay in entering the work force.

Farmers can lead the charge by questioning every piece of advice they are given -- where is the analysis, where is the science?

Doing so will give the companies a reason to change, investment in R&D will increase and New Zealand will maintain credibility in doing research that has impact for the biological economy. There is no time to waste in starting the questioning -- it is already February.