The government shouldn’t try to predict ‘career winners’

Science is a ruthless and global profession. Research can occur anywhere and knowledge is quickly transferable. Jobs are advertised in a world-wide employment market and competition is ferocious. But in Australia, there seems to be a concerted push to sell science as a career. Be warned this is an area where supply outstrips demand. It is an area with a few rock-star researchers but where most are poorly paid. So having Nobel Prize winners selling science as a career is a bit like having Russell Crowe or Cate Blanchett touring the country selling acting as a career. They are the exceptions not the norm.

Now, I have no trouble with successful scientists trying to interest school children in science. The problem starts if the government translates this into higher education policy. The... [via Core Economics]