Imagining the role science could play in Aotearoa, New Zealand s Future Professor Juliet Gerrard Prime Minister s Chief Science Advisor Kaitohutohu Mātanga Pūtaiao Matua ki te Pirimia
Outline Quick overview of my new role Framing the discussion trust and social license A sample of the story so far four emerging themes and issues that might interest you Your views Continuing the conversation?
What does the PMCSA do? Provide independent advice to the Prime Minister on science in its very broadest sense. Specifically: advising on specific matters relating to science for the Prime Minister or other Ministers either informally or in a formally commissioned reports promoting the public understanding of, and engagement with, science, particularly with young people serving as a conduit of alerts that might arise where scientific progress shows either opportunity or threat for New Zealand - where scientists see something emerging that they think policy makers need to be aware of, to assist with communication building international relationships
The Departmental Science Advisors There are around 12 independent advisors to various Ministries: Health, Environment, Education, Social Development, Justice, Conservation, Primary Industries, Defence, Transport, Statistics, Business Innovation and Employment My own team is small I m 80%; another 2.5 FTE
VISION for the role: a trusted, accessible bridge between scientists, society and government PRINCIPLES* INCLUSIVE RIGOROUS TRANSPARENT ACCESSIBLE CHALLENGE: providing advice on a useful timescale * Nature, June 2018, Four principles to make evidence synthesis more useful for policy
Trust? Wendyl Nissan The Project, 7 pm, TV3 July 2, 2018
from A society that mistrusts science Advice from the expert Respect commanded in my opinion to A society that is excited by science, confident to embrace its possibilities, and celebrates its successes Advice that is distilled from a diversity of thought and approach Trust earned listening to all views the consensus view on the evidence is... Reactive Formal advice Science policy Opportunities and THREATS Proactive Formal advice plus accessible information Science knowledge and approaches OPPORTUNITIES and threats
What is the single most important science topic upon which I should advise the PM? NOT FUNDING!! ONE POST- IT EACH
Listening tour - Hot button topics? Important topics?
1. sustainable land and water use
and/or?
2. data, data, data
AI, ML, AR, VR
who owns: - the data? - the analysis? - the insights?
interface with business?
3. diversity and inclusion
4. tackling hard questions starting with shared values GE, 1080, glyphosate, vaccination
bicultural framing Waharoa ki te Toi Kaitaia
bicultural framing
citizen science, the PSP
citizens assemblies?
individual efforts
optimism! - collectively support all science - and not or - sing louder from the same song sheet
continuing the conversation Give me your post-it note Celebrating science in Aotearoa, NZ: Instagram @nz_chief_science_advisor Send me your stunning science images via Twitter Twitter: NZ ChiefSciAdvisor, @ChiefSciAdvisor New website: www.pmcsa.ac.nz New office: 1-11 Short Street, Auckland CBD Advisor advisory network? Local contact? Coming soon
Thank you