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Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

1995

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Research Assistants In The Clever Country, Michael K. Organ, S. Svensen Jan 1995

Research Assistants In The Clever Country, Michael K. Organ, S. Svensen

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

In this paper, we outline some of the problems facing research workers in Australian universities, with an emphasis on research assistants, the lowest classification of paid research worker. It is concluded that, while conditions have improved slightly since 1978, research assistants are still among the most marginalised public sector employees, and subjected to employment conditions which should be considered unacceptable in a society which values the benefits accruing from research activities.


Research Assistants In The Clever Country, Michael K. Organ, S. Svensen Jan 1995

Research Assistants In The Clever Country, Michael K. Organ, S. Svensen

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

This paper examines the employment conditions of research assistants in universities in the context of the stated intention of the Australian government to transfonn Australia into the 'clever country'. Research assistants have played an important role in Australia's research efforts. The growing teaching and administrative workloads of academic staff. and the increasing sophistication and complexity of research methodologies. have increased the demands on research assistants and the importance of their contribution. Despite this. there has been little improvement in the employment conditions of research assistants. These conditions include the absence of any job security; lack of career structure and development: …