Government trashing Australia’s international reputation, with climate study cuts to CSIRO
“our whole reputation is at risk … it’s our international reputation in delivering results”.
A petition signed by 150 scientists attending the conference has called on the Federal Government to reconsider the organisation’s restructure.
Global spotlight on CSIRO cuts as work culture turns toxic, inquiry hears , ABC News, 7 Mar 16 Australia’s top marine scientists are warning that the country’s international scientific standing will be damaged by the CSIRO’s climate restructure.
About 350 jobs nationally are expected to go by mid 2017, including positions from the Oceans and Atmosphere Unit and 100 from land and water research.
A total of 191 staff work in the Oceans and Atmosphere division in Tasmania.
Scientific leaders from the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) and Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) are giving evidence before the Senate’s Select Committee into Scrutiny of Government Budget Measures in Hobart.
The committee is headed by Tasmanian Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson.
Senior CSIRO figures have also been called to appear and will give evidence via video link later.
IMAS executive director Richard Coleman and the institute’s Nathan Bindoff warned the world was watching.
Professor Bindoff attended a science conference in New Orleans last week.
“The questioners were always asking, ‘What is going on in the CSIRO?'” he said.
Professor Bindoff also said the international scientific community was “all very sensitised” to the changes, and pointed to a recent New York Times editorial condemning the restructure.
“It shows how influential Hobart has been,” Professor Bindoff said.
Professor Coleman agreed “our whole reputation is at risk … it’s our international reputation in delivering results”.
He also pointed to Hobart’s marine science study program, which he said consisted of 70 per cent international PhD students.
“That reputational damage … students will go somewhere else,” he told the committee.
Doubts on future creating ‘toxic’ culture Another Hobart-based marine scientist originally from the United States, Dr Richard Matear, described a “toxic environment” within the CSIRO as all scientists were forced to question their future.
Dr Matear said leading scientists were already looking to other countries such as the US to further their opportunities.
Renowned scientist Dr John Church told the committee the CSIRO’s “reputation was trashed”.
Dr Church said the scientific community was “dismayed” by a lack of consultation and he expected to lose his job.
Earlier, the AAD’s chief scientist Dr Gwen Fenton told the committee the CSIRO was yet to consult with program heads about the proposed restructure.
She said news of the cuts was unexpected and scientists needed more details………
A petition signed by 150 scientists attending the conference has called on the Federal Government to reconsider the organisation’s restructure.
The hearing coincides with an international climate conference on ice research in Hobart.…….http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-08/inquiry-hears-of-global-concern-over-csiro-job-cuts/7228476
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