The great divide between evidence-based research and government policy is complex. Scientists have been calling on governments to address anthropogenic climate change for decades, seeking policies that align with their research findings, but there has been no rush to respond and, unfortunately, climate change is not the only example of this. So why, despite scientific evidence, does so little translate into policy and action?

The Australian government recently released a new National Science Statement, aiming to shape “science policy and leadership across governments, in our labs, in research institutions and in boardrooms”. Don Williams critically assesses the Statement, locating positive elements and potential risks, and examining links to the broader policy agenda.

The intrinsic mismatch between curiosity-led scientific work with a policy agenda focused on reducing financial costs through commercial forces leads to disregard for scientific information, system fragmentation, increased complexity, and the atomisation of accountability as common consequences of introducing competition to previously unified systems.

Announcing our 2024 prize winners! Every year, final year PhD candidates present their doctoral studies to the Royal Society of Victoria, competing for four prizes across four categories that recognise excellence in Victoria’s early career scientists. Our eight finalists present under the four categories: Biological Sciences, Biomedical & Health Sciences, Earth Sciences, and Physical Sciences.

Report from the inquiry into the 2022 Victorian Floods. The Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee’s report makes 73 recommendations to the Victorian Government, including increased collaboration with scientists to understand how modelling can be used to better predict climate change impacts on flooding and improve resilience to extreme weather events.