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December 10, 2024
Government scraps humanities funding, faces backlash
Gideon Porter
Posted On December 10, 2024
Download AudioA kaupapa-Māori researcher says the government’s plan to scrap humanities and social sciences research funding from the $75 million-a-year Marsden Fund is a backward step.
The move has been heavily criticised by the science community for prioritising economics and commercial development at the expense of research that deepens humanity’s self-understanding.
Dr Pounamu Jade Aikman, Director of Mana Pounamu Consulting, says this decision reflects a government focused solely on research aimed at generating profit.
“I think it jeopardises the insights that could otherwise come from communities. It’s probably disproportionately impacting on Māori and Pasifika researchers, and working in that space, as well, because we often tend to work in spaces that you might describe as humanities and social sciences-focused,” says Aikman.
Pounamu Aikman, who has previously received Marsden funding for Māori youth crime research, says it is evident that under the current government, only research contributing to economic development will receive support.
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