John H Howard
Dr John H Howard is a distinguished policy analyst and adviser specialising in science research and innovation. He is a Visiting Professor at the Institute for Public Policy and Governance at UTS and Director of the Acton Institute for Policy Research and Innovation.
Recent articles by John H Howard
3 January 2025
25 years of reviews and policy statements: What do they reveal about Australia's R&D challenges?
Australia’s ability to harness the full potential of its research and development (R&D) capacity has been a subject of intense scrutiny for at least 25 years.
21 October 2024
Beyond the rankings: Benchmarking for real university success
It’s ranking season again, and universities are once more fixated on their positions in global league tables. These rankings, such as those from Times Higher Education and QS World University Rankings, often shape decisions for students and funders alike. While an institution’s rise in the rankings can be celebrated as a success, a drop can lead to public scrutiny and internal stress.
18 September 2024
Abstract: The Australian Higher Education Industry: a financial profile
It now seems clear that Australian universities have relied too heavily on international student income as a significant financial cushion. This revenue has also created substantial wealth in some institutions, with net asset holdings now at record levels. For many other smaller institutions, it has been the lifeline for sustainability.
18 August 2024
Data-driven, theory-averse research is fuelled by the rankings hamster wheel
Big data has contributed to a cultural shift towards evidence-based decision-making in academia, industry, and government, which prioritises empirical evidence over theory-based inquiry. It has also been associated with the boom in the publication of shorter journal articles and the decline in the publication of scholarly books, fuelled by the publish-or-perish academic rankings hamster wheel, writes John Howard.
27 April 2024
Rhetoric and reality in technology visions
The complex interplay of vision, power, and governance in innovation districts, precincts, and hubs.