Australia’s science and research priorities: conversation starter

3rd April 2023
Australasian Cities Research Network (ACRN) submission on
Australia’s science and research priorities: conversation starter

The Australasian Cities Research Network (ACRN) is committed to advancing research that supports more equitable and sustainable Australasian cities and regions. ACRN auspices the biennial State of
Australasian Cities Conferences, which have been running since 2003. The conference provides a valuable forum bringing together urban researchers, policymakers and practitioners to improve urban settlements.
The ACRN committee welcomes the opportunity to comment on Australia’s science and research priorities: conversation starter and puts forward the following 3 science and research priorities:
1. Acknowledging the importance of cities and regions: Australian cities need to be understood in
their historical, political and environmental context. Most of the Australian population live in cities
and urban regions. They provide important hubs for community, commerce, infrastructure,
biodiversity, governance and democratic processes. This scale is critical for translating science to
action and brings together nationally and internationally significant researchers with key actors
and agencies in a specific geographical context.
2. Developing sustainable, resilient urban futures within distinct contexts: Cities and their
interconnected urban and regional hinterlands are at the frontline of society-wide crises, such as
climate change, inadequate and unaffordable housing, and biodiversity loss. Research at the
urban scale offers opportunities for creating timely solutions so Australia can both meet its key
international obligations and improve the quality of life of citizens.
3. Integrating Indigenous Knowledges: Australian cities have all been built on unceded Indigenous
land which has caused immeasurable, ongoing harm to First Nations people and to Country.
Future science and research priorities must directly address this, and actively advance the critical
role of Indigenous Knowledges in transdisciplinary research projects.

Australia’s science and research priorities provide a framework for building evidence and act as a positive force that encouragers researchers to serve civil society. They also shape research agendas, scales of inquiry and ways of working. Yet we have routinely seen academic research fail to influence policy and policymakers or address the systemic lack of equity, diversity and inclusion in society or the impact of this on built and natural environments. A greater focus on cities and regions offers a way to integrate science and policy, while also bridging the gap between international, national, and neighbourhood scales. From the home to the suburb, city and planet, the uneven experience of urbanism is keenly felt within the Australian context and should be a priority for science and research funding to support sustainable urban futures in ways that are inclusive and reflect the diversity of
Australian communities.

Australasian Cities Research Network

ACRN was initially known as the Australian Sustainable Cities and Regions Network when it was first established in the early 2000’s. The networks fundamental aim is to promote, foster, champion and disseminate research relevant to Australasian cities and regions. Critical work is now underway to address the decolonisation of Australasian cities and regions- and also within the Academy and knowledge production and dissemination processes for science and research priority areas – as well as promote transdisciplinary approaches to urban settlements and their sustainability trajectories.