Australian graduation rates in the mathematical sciences run at only half the OECD average for men and one-third for women.

Australia's political parties must consider key issues in the mathematical sciences pipeline as part of their education, research and industry policies.

More than 30 per cent of secondary maths classes are taught by staff not trained as maths teachers.

While education policy has a high profile in this campaign, the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) is concerned by the absence of concrete measures to deal with the acute shortage of secondary teachers trained to teach mathematics.

Since 1995, there has been a 30 per cent decline in enrolments in intermediate and advanced mathematics which has strangled the supply of maths graduates, maths teachers and mathematically literate Australians into industry. This is causing a devastating ripple effect throughout higher education, research and industry in Australia requiring dramatic and immediate action at key points along the training pipeline.

Australian governments do not know how many maths teachers are graduating each year.

AMSI supports increased spending on professional development for those teaching mathematics out of field - especially in low socio-economic and regional areas where the need is far greater. We encourage all political parties to produce more detailed strategies on how to inspire and enlist tomorrow's maths teachers.

AMSI urges the political parties to consider a national research centre to boost capacity in the mathematical sciences in line with centres found in competitor economies.

The future Australian Government needs to directly tackle the increasing shortage of research trained mathematical scientists in public and private sectors. The galloping demand for mathematical sciences PhDs, along with a projected increased demand from 2008 to 2020 of more than 55 per cent, comes at a time when more PhDs are retiring than being graduated.

Compared with Australia, Germany and Canada have twice as many researchers in business — across all disciplines, Sweden has three times more.

None of the political parties have addressed the under employment of research-trained scientists and engineers across all sectors as a significant election issue. Australia is way behind the pack in innovation and the political parties should consider a national PhD industry internship program to drive innovation as occurs in Canada.

AMSI strongly urges all political parties to support the fundamental role played by the Office of the Chief Scientist in advocacy and policy creation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Australia. Bi-partisan support of this role is vital for the health of Australian science and society.

The crucial underpinning role of the mathematical sciences in the Australian public and private sectors is undermined by public perception. We commend to future governments the investment in an awareness campaign to drive up participation, graduation and employment in the mathematical sciences.

Supporting Documents

For Interview:

AMSI Director, Prof. Geoff Prince

Media Contact:

Stéphanie Pradier
M: 0424 568 314
E: stephanie@amsi.org.au

Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute
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