In case you haven't heard, the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology (Judith Collins) recently announced a refocus for the Marsden Fund with the humanities and social sciences panels disbanded and no longer supported. While the language used in the announcement itself was divisive ("science with a purpose"?) - there are broader concerns that specifically relate to Early Career Researchers in Aotearoa NZ.
In case you aren't sure what fields are covered in the disbanded panels, here's a summary:
Humanities (HUM) – including: English; languages; history; religion; philosophy; law; classics; linguistics; literature; cultural studies; media studies; art history; film.
Social Sciences (SOC) – including: Māori studies; indigenous studies; sociology; social, developmental, organisational, community and health psychology; social, cultural and human geography; social anthropology; education; urban design and environmental studies; public health; nursing; public policy; political science; socio-linguistics; architecture.
NB: as a health researcher myself, I have a specific question: the government has said that "The new Investment Plan focuses on supporting research that can be of economic, environmental or health benefit to New Zealand" - so why they would cut panels that include public health, health psychology, nursing and public policy is beyond me. But let's get back to ECRs..
The Economic Argument
The government has stated its focus:
“The Government has been clear in its mandate to rebuild our economy. We are focused on a system that supports growth, and a science sector that drives high-tech, high-productivity, high-value businesses and jobs"
This raises an essential issue: cutting humanities and social sciences funding may have unintended consequences for ECRs and the broader economy. While it’s essential to support business and technology, the higher education sector itself plays a crucial role in creating high-value jobs and driving long-term economic growth in NZ. Let's look at the data:
According to Universities NZ, New Zealand’s universities employ around 22,500 full-time staff and generate $4.8 billion annually. They contribute up to 6.3% of regional GDP, with a significant positive impact on local economies.
From the NZIER report:
People with postgraduate qualifications earn 75% more than those with only a secondary education.
Graduates boost the productivity of their workplaces, accounting for around 0.8% of GDP.
How Marsden Supports ECRs
Marsden funding is critical for ECRs. Standard proposals fund a wide range of postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, Master’s students and research assistants; the Fast-Start stream directly supports post-PhD ECRs. These mechanisms are vital for attracting and retaining academic talent. With the elimination of Marsden funding avenues for fields such as history; philosophy; indigenous studies; psychology; education; environmental studies among others how will universities fill lecturer/academic roles, support postgraduate student stipends, and sustain the next generation of researchers in these areas? This further undermines our ability to attract international students, exacerbating financial pressures on universities and compounding the problem.
ECRs already face a precarious job market. The loss of Marsden support in key fields will worsen these challenges, reducing opportunities and undermining the development of future research leaders.
Universities are more than just degree factories. They train skilled workers, produce research that fuels innovation, and cultivate the nation’s future researchers and thinkers. Evidence, both national and international, confirms that investing in universities strengthens economies.
Further, humanities and social sciences are not fringe disciplines; they are central to addressing complex societal challenges, from public health to education policy, urban planning, and cultural understanding. By marginalising these fields, New Zealand risks not only its academic reputation but also its ability to foster high-functioning economic drivers and contributors.
We must ask: is this the science system we want? Will these cuts disproportionally affect our ECRs? The impact on ECRs could reverberate for decades, stifling innovation and weakening the foundation of New Zealand’s knowledge economy.
For a nation that prides itself on punching above its weight, this feels like a misstep, especially for building, retaining and supporting our ECRs. But - this is just my two cents - get in touch to let me know what you think.
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