Australian museum ’s plan to cut research draws fire from scientists

A plan by one of Australia’s major natural history museums to reduce and “reimagine” the roles of its research and curatorial staff is drawing fierce criticism from scientists in Australia and abroad. Leaders of the South Australian Museum (SAM) in Adelaide say the proposed changes, unveiled in late February, are needed to address financial shortfalls and help the 168-year-old museum become more “sustainable, relevant, and accessible … for the 21st century.” David Gaimster, SAM’s CEO, has told Australian media that the museum is “not a university” and suggested that, in the future, its researchers should focus on developing public exhibitions. He’s also asserted that the museum “will not reduce our investment in research, but will obtain better outcomes from it, particularly for the public.” Many scientists are skeptical. The changes, which include reductions in the number and seniority of scientific and curatorial staff as well as the closing of a laboratory, “could be the death of the museum,” says mammalogist Tim Flannery, who served as SAM’s director from 1999 to 2006. If implemented, the plan “will result in the once-proud institution becoming more of a theme park than a serious contributor to ongoing scientific knowledge,” the Public Service Association of South Australia, which represents museum staff, told InDaily, an online news service . “To say research isn’t important t...
Source: Science of Aging Knowledge Environment - Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research