โCutting humanities and social sciences from the Marsden Fund jeopardises academic research in public health, nursing, law, education, public policy and Mฤori studies,โ Labourโs Research, Science and Innovation spokesperson Dr Deborah Russell said.
โWe want to keep talented people here, who contribute to the growth of New Zealandโs knowledge base and economy. These cuts leave academics and researchers with fewer options, and making them more likely to join the thousands of people leaving the country to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
โCritical thinkers are essential to advancing our economy, protecting our environment, and building our cultural identity.
โThey look into tricky areas in the legal system, do business research and investigate areas where harm is being caused. These cuts could leave New Zealand with gaps in important knowledge areas.
โFor example, previous Marsden studies that would no longer go ahead under the new criteria includes looking into alcohol advertising on social media and how rape trials can re-traumatise complainants.
โScrapping the Marsden Fund follows other cost cutting by the Government which has already seen more than 500 jobs lost in the public science sector.
โNew Zealand only spends half the OECD average on science, research, and development. Itโs time the Government saw research as a priority,โ Dr Deborah Russell said.