Science planning workshops coming to main centres

A Better Start National Science Challenge has opened registrations for workshops, one in each of the main centres to help inform the planning of its science plan for the next five years of funding (2019-2024).

The Challenge is hosting the workshops to listen to what the science community, key policy makers and advisers and community representatives, especially from Māori and Pasifka communities, have to say about future research directions and priorities. Members of the Challenge science leadership team will be attending. Their main role will be to listen and share in the discussion.

Challenge Director Professor Wayne Cutfield of the Liggins Institute, said the workshops were a key part of the iterative process required to ensure that A Better Start’s science was on track to deliver better outcomes for New Zealand children. He said,” We are submitting a plan for the next five years of research funds early next year. We want to listen to as many people as possible who share our interest in making a positive and genuine difference to our children.”

The Challenge has four priority health research themes: Healthy Weight, Resilient Teens, Successful Learning and Big Data and continues to seek to work in partnership with Māori communities through an embedded Vision Mātauranga strategy. Professor Cutfield said that while the priority theme would remain, the Challenge wanted to broaden the range of perspectives and partners who might work with the Challenge to enhance the focus, translation and impact of Challenge science.