The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS) has today released a new position statement affirming its commitment to protecting and advancing global scientific cooperation and collaboration.

The statement highlights the Academy’s strong support for international mobility, open exchange of knowledge, and research free from political interference – principles that underpin discovery and deliver life-changing outcomes.

“Science is a global endeavour,” said Professor Louise Baur AM FAHMS, President of the Academy. “The breakthroughs that have transformed health and wellbeing – from the bionic ear and the HPV vaccine to the global COVID-19 response – were only possible because researchers worked across borders, guided by evidence and shared purpose. Australia’s research sector both benefits from, and contributes to, this collective effort. These values cannot be taken for granted.”

The position statement, endorsed by the Academy’s Council, commits AAHMS to:

• Advocating for research systems that are open, inclusive, and independent of political interference.
• Supporting Australia’s leadership in global science through international partnerships, multilateral programs and global institutions.
• Working with governments and the research sector to safeguard researcher mobility and the free exchange of ideas.

The Academy’s President, Professor Baur warns that “restrictions on international collaboration – whether through political decisions, funding conditions or limits on researcher mobility – undermine scientific progress and threaten our collective ability – and Australia’s capacity to deliver health and medical breakthroughs.”

“Global collaboration and freedom of inquiry are not optional,” said Professor Baur. “They are essential to meeting the health challenges of today and tomorrow. Australia must continue to champion these principles, and we urge all governments and institutions to do the same.”

The full position statement is available here.