Amid Cuts To Basic Research, New Zealand Scraps All Support For Social Sciences

In an announcement that stunned New Zealand's research community, the country's center-right coalition government said it would divert half of the NZ$75 million Marsden Fund, the nation's sole funding source for fundamental science, to 'research with economic benefits.' From a report: Moreover, the fund would no longer support any social sciences and humanities research, and the expert panels considering these proposals would be disbanded.

Universities New Zealand, which represents the nation's eight universities, called the planned disinvestment in social science and humanities 'astonishing.' It was among several academic groups and many scientists calling for the government to reverse the unexpected decision.

In announcing the change, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins said the fund should focus on 'core science' that supports economic growth and 'a science sector that drives high-tech, high-productivity, high-value businesses and jobs.'

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