‘I’m very concerned’: Scientists sound alarm as shortage looms

Aussie scientists are sounding the alarm as even the most successful researchers are struggling to make a living.

Dr Vanessa Pirotta is one of those scientists who says she has the best job in the world.

The wildlife scientist has taken A Current Affair out on Sydney Harbour, where she has been studying bottlenose dolphins and whale behaviour.

Witnessing her excitement when she spots them — sea creatures she’s seen countless times — it’s clear Dr Pirotta is living her dream.

But this important work is at risk and, according to scientists, so is our future.

“I make zero money from the research that I do,” Dr Pirotta said.

“A lot of the work I do is funded by myself.“

Dr Pirotta is one of many scientists struggling to make a living, despite how successful they are in their field.

With investment in Australian science at critically low levels, 640 of our brightest minds are sounding the alarm, including Professor Stephen Simpson.

“We need to save science because at the moment we’re facing a precipice,” he said.

Professor Simpson founded the Charles Perkins Centre in Sydney, where he recruited Professor Scolyer and his team.

In Professor Scolyer’s final message to Australia, he wrote: “Please keep funding science and medical research. This is the most impactful way that you too can make a difference.“

“If we listen to anything Richard ever said, it’s that,” Professor Simpson said.

“For every dollar invested in other countries, we’re putting 62 cents into Australian science. So we’re short-changing Australia’s future.“

Professor Scolyer and his team revolutionised melanoma treatment, and other Australian scientists have made life-changing discoveries like the cervical cancer vaccine, sunscreen and cochlear implants.

It’s that kind of brilliance scientists fear will soon be lost.

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World-renowned oceanographer Professor Matthew England fears the lack of investment will push the next generation of scientists out of Australia.

“I’m an optimist at heart but I’m very concerned,” he said.

“If we don’t have jobs for them here in Australia they’ll go overseas.“

The impact goes beyond the research boats and labs, with science touching every inch of our lives.

It affects what we eat, how we communicate, how we heal when we’re sick and even the price of your grocery bills.

Professor Simpson warns if we don’t fund science properly, “Life will become more expensive, less secure and we’ll live in a degraded environment.“

Like any good scientist, Professor Simpson and his colleagues at the Australian Academy of Science have come up with a solution.

The Restore Science campaign is calling on all Australians to write to their local MPs to invest in our future.

You can show your support for Australian science here.