John H Howard
John H Howard is a researcher, policy analyst, management adviser, and author with three decades of experience advising governments, universities, and industry on science, research, and innovation policy and strategy. He is Executive Director of the Acton Institute for Policy Research and Innovation and an Honorary Visiting Professor at the University of Technology Sydney. He can be contacted at john@actoninstiyute.au
John H's articles (15 total)
A costly rewrite of R&D – with no price tag
Proposed changes to Australia’s R&D tax system would expand eligibility beyond genuine research, concentrate benefits among a narrow group of firms, and proceed without clear costings.
The Strategic Examination of R&D: can Australia’s innovation system reform itself?
A major new review sets out a coherent plan to reform Australia’s innovation system. But the real challenge is not design – it's whether the government can afford and deliver it.
Deep thinking needed on AI, not shallow predictions
Confident predictions about artificial intelligence dominate public debate – but history suggests forecasting technological futures is a poor guide for policy. What matters more are the conditions that shape how AI is actually used.
AI policy is stuck on productivity – and democracy is paying the price
Artificial intelligence is increasingly framed in terms of efficiency and growth. But that framing sidelines harder questions about power, choice and democratic governance.
AI needs governance, not a 'plan for a plan'
Australia’s National AI Plan prioritises infrastructure and adoption, but leaves governance and liability unresolved, creating uncertainty and risk, especially for smaller firms.
Why Australia should build AI to amplify human capability
Debates about artificial intelligence miss a crucial point: the real issue is not whether AI is powerful, but whether we use it to replace human judgment or strengthen it.
A search for purpose, vision and identity in Australian universities
The Australian university sector has become disconnected from the national imagination and needs a compelling new vision for the future.
From public good to corporate enterprise: The financialisation of universities (Part II)
A dominant challenge for universities now is the expectation that they produce graduates who are immediately job-ready.
From public good to corporate enterprise: The financialisation of universities (Part I)
In recent months, Australian universities have faced increasing scrutiny over their role in the economy, particularly regarding their growing emphasis on financial sustainability.
Contacts, connections and collaborations: creating value in innovation ecosystems
In an era saturated with digital platforms, it is easy to mistake connections for collaborations in innovation ecosystems.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rhetoric and reality in technology visions
The complex interplay of vision, power, and governance in innovation districts, precincts, and hubs.