Without a doubt, this year, the Learned Academies have continued to come together through ACOLA to deliver unique value to governments, parliaments, and society. ACOLA, with its over 70 years of dedication to interdisciplinary leadership and convening of Australia’s leading minds, has been at the forefront of many key issues of policy debate.
Professor Richard Holden FASSA FES
Chair, Board of Directors
ACOLA
ACOLA STRATEGIC STATEMENT
The scale and complexity of the challenges facing communities across the world, especially with COVID-19, calls for fresh, robust and authoritative thinking, and new approaches if our legacy is to secure a better world for future generations, economically, socially and environmentally. ACOLA’s aim is to advance discussions on complex issues through trusted, independent, and interdisciplinary evidence-based advice to solve real world problems. In doing so, we are unique in the Australian landscape – we seek to place research and trusted experts at the core of policy making.
In an era of misinformation and multiplicity of views, the need for ACOLA and the Learned Academies is never more critical, to raise research-based policy advice above opinion and institutional, discipline and political biases.
Through our members, Australia’s five Learned Academies, ACOLA brings together over 3,500 of Australia’s leading academic and industry experts spanning science, the humanities, social science, health and medical sciences, and technology and engineering. This powerful resource allows us to deliver leading, comprehensive and interdisciplinary evidence-based advice to shape public policy, inspire innovation and deliver solutions to complex issues.
ACOLA’s interdisciplinary approach and access to the nation’s top researchers across all fields sets it apart from other research and policy organisations in this country. It is grounded in the recognition that complex challenges are mostly effectively addressed by bringing together specialist expertise from across domains, which are more than ‘the sum of the parts’. This ensures that policies, technologies and considerations are practical and implementable from the lab to the real world. It also allows deeper understandings of real or potential social, economic, cultural and environmental unintended consequences and barriers.
With research programs including the Securing Australia’s Future series and more recently the Horizon Scanning series, ACOLA has nearly seven decades of demonstrated experience as a trusted and influential source of expert advice for governments, industry and the public. Over recent years ACOLA has also become a trusted partner for Commonwealth agencies and various Parliaments for: 1) expert briefings on topics, and 2) convening and running workshops on policy issues and reviews. These have solidified ACOLA’s role as a key source of high-quality, robust, and independent interdisciplinary advice for Australia’s decision-makers.
Chair’s Report
I am pleased to present the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) Annual Report for 2022–23.
Without a doubt, this year, the Learned Academies have continued to come together through ACOLA to deliver unique value to governments, parliaments, and society. ACOLA, with its over 70 years of dedication to interdisciplinary leadership and convening of Australia’s leading minds, has been at the forefront of many key issues of policy debate. Our role, often as the adviser to the advisers, has meant that while we are not prominent in society our impact on the issues of the day, through trusted, independent, evidence-based and disciplinary‑balanced, are seismic.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Expanded Relationships with Learned Academies:
ACOLA has continued to strengthen its role with and for Australia’s Learned Academies, convening interdisciplinary activities that bring together the collective expertise of these esteemed institutions.
This collaboration has led to developing high-quality advice that has informed policy decisions at the national and state/territory levels.
Successful Project Portfolio:
ACOLA has managed a diverse and successful portfolio of projects addressing critical issues facing Australia and the world. These projects have provided valuable insights into various topics, including disability responsiveness, the science-advice process, generative AI and the energy transition. Additionally, ACOLA has foster a new relationship with the APS to deliver policy masterclasses, helping to connecting experts across academic, industry and government.
Enhanced Parliamentary Engagement:
ACOLA has continued to improve its engagement with Parliament, delivering nine parliamentary briefing sessions and providing regular briefings to individual members of parliament. This work has helped raise awareness of the importance of evidence‑based policymaking and has contributed to lifting the quality of policy decisions in this important institution.
Increased Demand for ACOLA’s Advice: ACOLA has seen an increased demand for its advice. This is due in part to ACOLA becoming a delivery partner for the DFAT-funded KONEKSI program in Indonesia. ACOLA’s deep insights into Australian research priorities and the structure of the Australian research system – including grant programs, design features, key stakeholders and incentive structures – has informed policy and program work in Indonesia, but also the wider Southeast Asian region, to enhance Australian research impact and to help cultivate strong research partnerships.
Looking To The Future
ACOLA remains committed to providing high-quality, independent advice to governments and parliaments. We will continue to build on our successes and expand our reach, ensuring that the voices of
Australia’s Learned Academies are heard in the policymaking process. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Fellows and staff from across the Academies who have been involved in expert groups and project activities, and ACOLA management team and research and policy staff for their dedication and hard work. Everyone’s commitment to ACOLA’s mission is essential to our continued success.
Finally, I would also like to thank the Member Academies, the Australian Government Department of Education, the Australian Chief Scientist, and our various project sponsors for their ongoing support.
Professor Richard Holden FASSA FES
Chair, Board of Directors
ACOLA
