Suitably qualified scientists and engineers are essential for research and development, innovation and, in turn, the growth of the economy. Science, engineering and technology skills are therefore necessary for Australia to remain competitive in a global market. This article reports findings from a nationwide study investigating the career pathways of science, engineering and technology research postgraduates. The study found that one-third of science, engineering and technology postgraduates travelled overseas to secure employment due to a lack of job security and poor generic ‘employability’ skills. Gender discrimination in these traditionally male-dominated fields was experienced to a far greater degree by women than by men. The study identified the need to explore further the links between industry and academia and to invest strategically in science, engineering and technology in higher education to create opportunities for early career researchers.
Australian Academy of Science (2007). Research and innovation in Australia: A policy statement. Canberra: Author.
3.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006). ANZSCO: Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (1st edn). ABS Cat. No. 1220.0. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.
4.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007). Labour force, Australia. Cat. No. 6202.0.55.00. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.
5.
Australian Education International (2007). International students in higher education: Comparison of main English speaking destination countries. Research Snapshot, 26 July 2007. Retrieved 2 February, 2009, from http://aei.gov.au/AEI/PublicationsAndResearchSnapshots/265507_pdf.pdf
6.
Australian Education International (2008). AEI industry forum 2008 Globally connected: Market information report. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.
Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (2008). Future fellowships consultation paper—Have your say. Media release by Minister Kim Carr, 23 May 2008. Retrieved 13 January, 2009, from http://www.arc.gov.au/media/releases/media_23May08.htm
GriffinE. (2002). Short term contracts: The descending career ladder. Astronomy and Geophysics, 43(6), 17–18.
17.
HoddinottD.YoungJ. (2001). Generic skills teaching in materials science and engineering. Journal of Engineering Education, October 2001.
18.
House of Commons (2001). Short-term research contracts in science and engineering, Eighth Report of Session, 2001.
19.
KreegerK. (2004) Postdocs: Short term limbo. Nature, 427, 760–761.
20.
LaurentD. (2006). Education leads to tempting and unemployment: Britain's academic underclass. Le Monde Diplomatique, May 2006.
21.
MahroumS. (2005). The international policies of brain gain: A review. Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, 17(2), 219–230.
22.
National Science Board (2004). Science and Engineering Indicators 2004 (NSB 04–1). Arlington, VA: National Science Foundation.
23.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2003). Low fertility rates in OECD countries: Facts and policy responses. OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Papers. Paris: Author.
RizviF. (2005). Rethinking ‘brain drain’ in the era of globalisation. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 25(2), 175–192.
26.
XieY. (2006). Theories into gender segregation in scientific careers, Chapter 7. In Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Women in scientific careers: Unleashing the potential (pp. 105–110). Author.
27.
XieY.ShaumanK.A. (2003). Women in science: Career processes and outcomes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
28.
ZigurasC.LawS-F. (2006) Recruiting international students as skilled migrants: The global ‘skills race’ as viewed from Australia and Malaysia. Globalisation, Societies and Education, 4(1), 59–76.
