About the Science Division

The Science Division provides scientific information and services across three areas:

• Science Delivery and Knowledge:
  • Water and Catchments
  • Climate, Biodiversity and Information
• Science Development
• Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist.

Science Delivery

We are the Queensland Government's trusted source of scientific knowledge, information and advice that enables decision making for environmental and natural resource management.

We:

• provide high quality, innovative scientific and technical services and advice, efficiently, timely and cost effectively
• deliver efficiencies through whole of government services provision
• act as an informed purchaser and/or independent broker of scientific services for, and with partner departments.

The focus of our work is applied science across the environment and natural resources spectrum to meet the needs of partner departments by:

• providing a scientific evidence base to underpin policy development and to meet the legislative responsibilities of partner departments
• developing and maintaining the information systems and decision-support tools needed to support effective decision-making by government, industry and the community
• conducting monitoring, modelling and assessment of the environment and natural resources to support economic development of the state
• supporting digital platforms, systems and transformation across the department.

Science Delivery works across:

• Air and climate monitoring
• Land and ecosystems
• Water and coastal
• Research infrastructure and facilities

Science Development

Science Development provides strategic leadership for the Queensland Government's science investment in universities and research institutes. We develop strategic science policy, plan for future science investment, administer and manage science related grant programs, and monitor and evaluate the investment in science and its impacts.

We have a major role in showcasing the capability of Queensland science, helping to facilitate individual and institutional research and business linkages (both nationally and internationally) that encourage new collaborations and investment and increase the translation of the state’s research into outcomes that benefit Queensland’s economy and communities.

The work of Science Development makes a significant contribution to the Government’s aim to solve global challenges, seize opportunities in growing markets, fight for investment dollars, and create the jobs of the future.

Science Policy and Evaluation

This team is responsible for the development and evaluation of science policy, administration and review of legislation, and advising on key aspects of Queensland’s scientific infrastructure and capability.

The team administers legislation including the Gene Technology (Queensland) Act 2016, the Biodiscovery Act (2004) and Gene Technology Act (2001).

The team also leads the Boggo Road Collaboration Leadership group to support the coordinated development of the PAH/Boggo Road Innovation Precinct.

Science Partnerships and Development

This team seeks to increase the outcomes from Queensland’s science sectors by highlighting opportunities and improving links with domestic and international business and research collaborators.

Activities include increasing the online profile and access to information on Queensland’s world-class research, working with targeted science and business delegations to Queensland and showcasing the state’s science investment opportunities to targeted international audiences overseas.

Accountability and science credibility

Staff in Science Division are committed to the principles outlined in the Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service, including:

1. Integrity and impartiality
2. Promoting the public good
3. Commitment to the system of government
4. Accountability and transparency.

We uphold the principles and ethics of the Code of Conduct by ensuring our staff adhere to:

• external, independent peer reviews of processes and methods to ensure credibility of our science outputs and appropriate acknowledgement of intellectual property and authorship
• the departmental policy on declaration of conflict of interest for projects, procurements and appointments to advisory boards
• agreed contractual arrangements and memoranda of understanding with our clients, both internal and external to government
• the highest standards of science service delivery by following the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research  and other relevant research ethics, laws, codes and standards (e.g. ISO Standards  and NATA accreditation )
• the principles of the department’s Open Data Strategy
• the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist’s Scientific collections principles  and REDS* decision rules  to guide Queensland Government investment in research and development.
  * REDS – Real future impact; External commitment; Distinctive angle; Scaling toward critical mass).

Our principles for conducting science are based around:

• delivering quality assured and defensible science to support and inform evidence-based government decision making and planning
• ensuring our science is reliable, accurate, transparent and fit-for-purpose, with scientific methods, analytical processes and publications independently assessed, peered reviewed and adhering to national standards and accreditations, and with data and information aligned to the FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable)
• adopting a business model to collaborate with other research organisations, universities, other government science agencies, private and not-for-profit sectors to harness the best available scientific minds, tools and knowledge
• continuing to invest in the capability of our people through training, professional and accelerated learning, modernisation of our systems and infrastructure, attraction and retention of talent, and development of succession plans and knowledge sharing.