The Waikato University-based academic is the first recent NZAS president based outside Wellington or Auckland.
The New Zealand Association of Scientists has announced a new president and agenda.
Professor Troy Baisden, based at the University of Waikato, it the NZAS new president.
Baisden said, “I’m the first recent NZAS president based outside Wellington or Auckland. By taking on this role, I can help represent the large number of scientists working out of regional centres, including those focused on primary production and environmental issues.”
“A large proportion of public research funds relate to primary production and environment ... These areas will get some extra focus within NZAS’s main objectives, which are to support scientists, promote and communicate science, including sound science policy.”
He added that the NZAS “focus on supporting early-career scientists intersects with our focus on diversity issues in science. There are widespread concerns that Māori and Pasifika are underrepresented, undermining the role of science in addressing equity and Treaty of Waitangi issues.”
NZAS will also continue to consider MBIE’s recent draft Research, Science and Innovation Strategy. Baisden was concerned that, “it doesn’t signal clear directions, particularly across environmental science and the primary sector. These areas differ from industrial and technological innovation, which dominate science policy internationally.”
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