Feds need to increase support for all research to prepare Canadians for changes on the horizon

Research is one of the fundamental drivers of progress. From the study of societal well-being in our ever-changing world, to the new technologies that now dominate our lives, and even the way we view ourselves against the backdrop of our universe, research is key. We are in an era of large-scale change, some of it visible and some poised to manifest, largely driven by technological advancements and a climate emergency. Transitioning to an innovation economy instead of a resource-based economy is socially, environmentally, and fiscally responsible. Supporting research and innovation, as well as accessibility and diverse perspectives within them, is paramount. Research is often underfunded because its impacts are not readily visible. Support of certain disciplines is sometimes treated like philanthropy and novelty rather than integral to who we are and what we want to achieve as a nation. The constant fighting for support encountered by many researchers takes away from time they could be using to do research, and fosters an unnecessary and harmful hierarchy. The 2019 federal budget was particularly disappointing in this regard, continuing to fall short of the recommendations laid out in the 2017 findings of the Advisory Panel for the Review of Federal Support for Fundamental Science. While the government’s method of selectively funding high-visibility programs is likely to generate specific results, it does little for the research community at large, and does nothing towards addressing issues in less visible disciplines. Within the private sector, we have seen support in the form of grants awarded to companies working on innovative technologies. However, it would be more expedient to help new research and innovation companies get started. The returns on investment from private companies may be more immediately visible, but they are no more important than what is gained from universities and research institutes. The broad range and unobstructed freedom of research within universities and research institutes innovates and grows our potential, but remains underfunded overall, despite increases in university research funding in recent years. The Canada Research Chairs Program is excellent, as it offers an opportunity for Canadian programs to be at the forefront in their fields, however research is not a top-down process. The 2019 federal budget’s lack of support for students and early career researchers, despite the clear recommendations in the 2017 review, displays a fundamental lack of understanding of how research teams operate, and contributes to systemic issues of underrepresented communities in research fields. One avenue of funding academic research is through fellowships and scholarships. Increasing funding for these is consistently worthwhile, as it goes beyond simply supporting research by helping students and fostering inclusivity. Research benefits greatly from diversity. Unfortunately, there are many systemic barriers that prevent people from diverse and marginalized backgrounds from participating in academia and research. Supporting students in a variety of ways is also very important given how the availability of jobs is constantly changing, and the future of employment is yet to be decided. Funding research helps cultivate disciplines that will continue to employ people, and also facilitates training programs for students in those fields. Canada is a prosperous nation, which gives us the opportunity to focus on research and innovation while steering our economy and society in a progressive direction. The Innovation Superclusters Initiative is a good start, but given that the government’s spending in this area is focused on innovation as an economic driver rather than fuelling fundamental research for advancement’s sake, it is unclear that the program will do much more than accelerate the commercialization of scientific achievements, and this carries its own risks. One need look no further than the underpopulated and underfunded field of artificial intelligence safety, and compare it to the pace of artificial intelligence development, to see that rapid commercialization may not always be in our best interests. Much of what we have taken for granted in our economy is poised to change due to advances in automation and artificial intelligence. In order to prepare, we must be innovative, and this entails supporting a wide range of professions, not just those that the government deems high-profile. Increasing support for all research is one way to prepare Canadians for the inevitable changes on the horizon. Our future depends on it. Amita Kuttner is the Green Party's science and innovation critic and the party's candidate in Burnaby North-Seymour, B.C. The Hill Times

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Feds need to increase support for all research to prepare Canadians for changes on the horizon

In order to prepare, we must be innovative, and this entails supporting a wide range of professions, not just those that the government deems high-profile.

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