‘Pathfinders 2010: the Innovators Conference,' sub-titled ‘Challenge and Change: Sourcing Evidence to Tackle the Real Issues’ was held in Alice Springs from 26 to 28 May. Approximately 43 CRCs were represented and a total of approximately 300 delegates took part. Details of the conference program may be found on the conference website [1].

Several members of the CRC Committee were present, including Professor Elizabeth Deane, who was a member of the panel for the CRCNPB Third Year Review, Dr Warren King, a member of the interview panel for the CRCNPB Supplementary Bid, and Dr Don Anderson. I was able to have two conversations with Dr Peter Jonson, Chair of the CRC Committee.

The opening plenary session was devoted to the topic ‘Evidence or anecdote – which has the most influence?’ Speakers included Ms Clare Martin, former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, and Mr David Kalisch, Commissioner with the Productivity Commission. The ‘take home message’ from this session was that many decisions made by governments are not based on evidence. David Kalisch cited examples where evidence had been taken and used by government, tariff reform being a case in point. But there were many examples of policy decisions being made without a strong evidence base or in spite of evidence provided. The CRCs need to provide evidence of achievement which is understood by governments and bureaucracies.

A panel of speakers in the second part of the session addressed ‘The Intervention as a Test Case: Was Intervention Based on Evidence or Anecdote?’ While interesting as a test case the emotion and political overtones of the session left many delegates pondering its relevance to the CRCA.

A closed workshop session for Chairs and CEOs was opened by a short presentation from Dr Peter Jonson, Chair of the CRC Committee. His message was that, at least for the time being, the ‘reform cycle’ is over. Shorter terms for CRCs and strategies for exit but continuation in a different guise remain high on the Committee’s agenda. The possibility of supporting precursors to full CRCs is being examined to make it easier for new players to enter a very competitive field. There was a cautionary note that, after 19 years, Treasury remains to be convinced of the merits of the CRC model. A questioner raised the prospect of the CRCs being drawn into the Productivity Commission enquiry into the RDCs. For example, if the RDCs are doing their job in drawing together research on a national basis, why are CRCs needed as well?

Photo caption: Panel discussion: Pathfinders 2010: the Innovators Conference, Alice Springs

The workshop, proper, considered various aspects of the bidding and review processes. The workshop outcomes will form the basis of a CRCA submission to DIISR. Main points were:

• the online DIISR system for applications is not user-friendly
• feedback to bidders has been patchy
• valuing social and public good is difficult to achieve and to defend
• experiences differ but the majority felt that maintaining contacts with DIISR were difficult, not least due to turn-over of staff
• an annual CRC round of applications, coupled with DIISR taking responsibility for the Third Year Review, will compound this problem, and
• increasing complexity in DIISR processes is paralleled by decreasing funding for successful CRCs.

Capturing the emphasis on international linkages and social sciences in the current CRC Guidelines, the second day of the conference commenced with presentations on ‘Widening the worldview – looking through a different lens’. Humans have preconceived notions which benefit from being tested against a broader contextual framework. This framework includes important cultural elements which may, for example, be critical in negotiating terms of trade.

It was in this context that one of the more unusual papers was presented. Jack Sim of the WTO (World Toilet Organisation) spoke to the topic ‘Making Sanitation Sexy’. The WTO’s thesis is that, in the humanitarian sector, unlike saving pandas, global warming or providing safe drinking water, toilets and sanitation are not popular topics. However, for the 2.5 billion people who live without access to proper sanitation they are a matter of paramount concern in terms of health and quality of life.

Professor Joe Mathew (Centre for Integrated Engineering Asset Management) addressed the challenge of maintaining Australia’s physical infrastructure, pointing to gas plant failures in Victoria and Western Australia as examples where inadequate maintenance – a consequence of declining investment and a shortage of ‘fit-for-purpose’ workforce – had contributed to the problems.

A motivational session ‘The Chemistry of Success’ enabled significant audience participation in examining drivers of peak intellectual performance. The speaker, Matt Church, espoused the need for physical as well as mental fitness among Australia’s CRC elite, at all stages of their careers. For further information visit his website [2].

As always ‘Showcasing Early Career Scientists’ was a conference highlight. Four speakers were allowed 10 minute presentations with visual aids; four other speakers made three minute presentations with no visual aids. The standard was uniformly high, a PhD student from the CRC for Asthma and Airways claiming victory in the 10 minute category and an excellent presenter from the CRC for Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems narrowly beating a PhD student from the Invasive Animals CRC in the three minute category.

During the conference, Dr Tony Peacock, CEO of the Invasive Animals CRC, gained instant notoriety via a live interview on ABC Radio where less than flattering comments were made as to the gender and age of many CRC Chairs.

Professor Barney Glover, Vice-Chancellor, Charles Darwin University, and Mr John Scanlon, Secretary-General of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species within the United Nations Environment Program, closed the conference in a session on ‘Innovation by Collaboration’.

The customary awards at the conference dinner included, fittingly, a ‘Star’ award to the Desert Knowledge CRC. This CRC had played the major role in conference organisation and winds up on 30 June. It is to be succeeded by a CRC for Remote Economic Participation.

The 2011 CRCA Conference will be held in Brisbane in mid-June.

Photo acknowledgement: CRCA conference website [3]