What's it all about

Why focus on science?

“Without doubt science will drive the most profitable industries in the next few decades” Susan Greenfield.

Science is touching everything that is important to us like never before – the environment, health, nutrition, the economy, education, agriculture, ageing, water – and the list goes on. The astronomer Carl Sagan said that ‘It is suicide to live in a society dependent on science and technology, where nobody understands anything about science and technology.’ 

While many regard science as something belonging to groups of white-coated nerds locked in laboratories, increasingly the solutions to the challenges of sustainability, social justice, wellbeing and prosperity will be provided by science and technology. 

Susan Greenfield has said that the ‘democratisation of knowledge’ will drive the shift from the industrial economy towards one based on diverse knowledge, propelling progress into the 21st century. 

Expanding opportunity, creating fair and inclusive communities, improving health, caring for the environment, how we communicate, how we learn - its all touched by science and technology, and South Australia must take every advantage of it.

Knowledge of science is critical because:

• the growth in trade of high technology good such as computers, pharmaceuticals, scientific and medical instruments has science at its heart
• the growing bioscience industry transforms scientific research into products and services 
• Universities such as Manchester and Columbia have successfully translated their bioscience research into billion dollar industries. With its strong research base and University sector South Australia is well placed to build a viable and highly productive bioscience industry
• improving the health and well being of societies continues to be a crucial concern, and neuroscience is uncovering better ways to treat mental illness and diseases of aging such as dementia and Alzheimer’s 
• technologies such as genetic screening and a better understanding of the importance of early childhood on the development of children’s brains offer great scope for preventing disease and improving health
• technological innovations are making it easier to meet the complex challenges of sustainability, and scientific research has brought the seriousness of global warming and climate change to the world’s attention
• art and science may seem unrelated yet their processes of experimentation, creative enquiry and engagement with the world are closer than they seem 
• as neuroscience is mapping creativity in the brain, new digital technologies and the sciences are offering fertile ground for the emergence of new art forms in multi media interactive experiences, events and science/art collaborations
• innovation in these emerging areas provides opportunities for new industries to flourish, including digital content production, film production and the growth of the creative industries as idea hubs and exporters.