An open consultation process with the Australian ecosystem science community to develop a cohesive plan for the long-term future

Review of Previous Decadal Plans:Directing the Ecosystem Science Long-Term Plan

Previous long term plans:

Plans reviewed:

Not an exhaustive list!

• Australian Strategic Plan for Earth Observation from Space

• Australian Astronomy Decadal Plan

• Australian Physics Decadal plan

• Australian Earth System Science Decadal plan

• Australian Maths Decadal Plan

Headings for Key Findings from Review:

• Extent and form(s) of consultation used to establish plan

• Outline of document structure

• Did it produce any enduring outcomes that are evident ?

• How could it have been improved?

• 3-5 key points relevant to the AESLTP process?

Key Findings: Extent and form(s) of consultation used to establish plan

• Majority of plans directed by steering committee

• Academy(ies) + professional society(ies)

• Discrete working groups for each task, directed by steering committee

• Some systematic or broad consultation with main contributing communities for input, draft document and final document .

Key Findings: Outline of document structure

• Executive Summary or Key Directions/Benefits

• Clear specification of Audience and Intent

• Brief Explanation of “-------- Science”

• Status of “-------- Science” in Australia + Globally

• Required Future Directions or Challenges (People, Research, Infrastructure, Use/Engagement)

• How to Resource the Plan or Address Challenges

• Contributors and Process(es) Used

Key Findings:

Enduring outcomes that are evident

• This does require 3-5 year transition time

• Development of new policy (with bi-partisan support)

• Understanding and recognition

• Funding for high level international collaborations

• Significant funding for new research and other programs

Key Findings:

Improvements to the Planning Process

• Engage all relevant sections of the community(ies)

• Consistent and ongoing communication

• Clear specifications for input and review from communities

• Process must show directions to benefit whole community

• Keep documents short and accessible

• Avoid focus on why this discipline is self-important

Key Findings:

Points relevant to the AESLTP process:

“The key points we can use relate to a focus on people and linking that to the infrastructure investments, long-term funding and the quality of the data networks and archives. ”

Key Findings:Key points relevant to the AESLTP process:

• Don’t leave consultation to the end• Bring along key Commonwealth Agencies as part of

the process to ensure they know what is being done and can help to shape the document so it is policy relevant

• Define where the Plan will go in future• Ensure participants have ownership of input and all

participants are covered• Don ‘t make it Canberra centric • Targeted feedback sought.• Gave current state of field to identify shortfalls.

Key Findings:Key points relevant to the AESLTP process:

• Importance of connecting with other initiatives that are underway in Australia, globally;

• Span across research, application, training and science approaches;

• Being clear who your audience is and what is the purpose of the plan;

• Importance of connecting/socialising with key stakeholder groups;

• Being clear about what is the value proposition• Very broad consultation process – town hall meetings -• Lots of submissions made on ideas from a broad range of

groups

Key Findings:

Key points relevant to the AESLTP process:

• People are part of every point made and this is well illustrated with images and quotes.

• “Far-sighted investments” ’The funding case is made by emphasising that the current strengths from the results of previous investments‘

AESLTP: A Suggested Document Structure

• Aims

• 10 Key Directions from the Plan

• Consultation Process and Contributors

• Ecosystem Science Supporting Australia and Australians

• Linked Decadal plans

• Impediments for Developing Australia’s Ecosystem Science

• Directions for Developing Australia’s Ecosystem Science

• List of contributors

• References

Aims, Intended Uses, Intended Users and Expected Outcomes of Long Term Plan 

Intended UsesTo define the extent and importance of ecosystem science for AustraliaTo identify highly critical research and education investments in the short and long term that will grow and sustain Australian ecosystem science

ResearchEducationInfrastructureOthers

Intended Users Australian and International ecosystem scientistsState and commonwealth agencies supporting research and education that requires ecosystem science 

Aims, Intended Uses, Intended Users and Expected Outcomes of Long Term Plan 

Expected Outcomes of Decadal Plan

Nationally agreed priorities for funding research, education and infrastructure….

Investment priorities to sustain and grow our ecosystem scientists

Aims, Intended Uses, Intended Users and Expected Outcomes of Long Term Plan 

Aims• Describe ecosystem sciences as an essential linking science

in understanding how our ecosystems function and change over time

• Identify the critical issues that require ecosystem sciences• Establish the common challenges facing ecosystem science

communities, in Research, Education and Infrastructure • Outline solutions to address common challenges facing

ecosystem science communities, in Research, Education and Infrastructure

The plan is to be used as a catalyst for Australian ecosystem sciences, identifying commonalities for establishing enduring collective action that supports the growth and sustainability of ecosystem science in Australia and its use in driving national research priorities.