Youth told to forget about a science and research career

By SIMON COLLINS

New Zealand scientists say young people should steer clear of scientific and engineering careers in this country.

A survey of 103 scientists found that 58 per cent of them would advise young people not to go into science here - up from 50 per cent in 1996.

The number in Crown Research Institutes with this view had doubled.

Survey chief, Professor Jack Sommer of the University of North Carolina, said he would visit laboratories around the country to find out why our scientists were so gloomy.

He said their views on what they saw as the most important issues facing scientists and technologists provided some clues.

The number worried about a switch in funding from basic research to applied or commercial research almost doubled - from 8.3 per cent in 1996 to 15 per cent.

There was also a big jump - from 6.2 per cent to 11.1 per cent - in the number concerned about a decline in student interest in science and engineering.

The scientists supported genetic engineering research by two to one (48 per cent to 23 per cent).

But, 48 per cent of them said the "Government should invest as much in research on organic foods as it does on genetically modified foods." Only 27 per cent disagreed.

Only 12.5 per cent felt that the "public can be trusted to make good decisions on science-related issues."

Two-thirds of the scientists felt that newspaper and television reporting on science issues was not accurate.

Two-thirds also believed that changes in the organisation of New Zealand science in the past four years had not enhanced their situation or conditions for performing innovative research.

Only 43 per cent felt "reasonably secure" in their jobs for the next five years. University scientists felt much less secure in their jobs than they did in 1996, although Crown Research Institute scientists felt more secure.

A mere 8 per cent said management systems were "appropriate for the effective advancement of research."

Professor Sommer said the survey showed "a stunning level of dissonance over New Zealand science and technology policy reforms" and "intense negative feelings about the direction and management of science."