Popularization of Science

Popularization of Science

A Three-Level Comparative Study of Scientific Associations in Australia and New Zealand: Lessons for the Development of Scientific Associations in Iran

Document Type : Review Paper

Authors
Leila Namdarian 1
Hamid Reza Khedmatgozar 2
1 Associate Professor in science and technology policymaking, Information and Society Research Department, Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology (IranDoc), Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor in information technology management, Information Technology Research Department, Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology (IranDoc), Tehran, Iran
10.22034/popsci.2025.542855.1430
Abstract
Subject: Scientific associations play a pivotal role in national science and technology (S&T) systems by generating knowledge, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and linking academia, industry, and government, thereby advancing scientific progress. Examining the experience of countries with mature S&T systems offers valuable insights for rethinking policies governing such associations.
Purpose: This comparative study analyzes governance mechanisms of scientific associations in Australia and New Zealand to identify effective models that can inform policy and performance improvement in Iran.
Method: Employing a qualitative approach, the study applies a three-tier analytical framework encompassing policy, structure and governance, and operational processes. Data were collected through content analysis of policy and organizational documents from both countries and interpreted via comparative analysis.
Findings: The success of associations in both contexts rests on institutional autonomy, diversified funding, transparency and accountability, and dynamic stakeholder engagement. Australia’s legal framework features a two-tier (national–state) structure that ensures coherence and oversight, whereas New Zealand’s system is characterized by greater legal flexibility and broader voluntary participation. Synthesizing these strengths—Australia’s strategic centralization and New Zealand’s operational flexibility—offers a robust model for reforming Iran’s scientific association governance.
Results: Developing a context-sensitive governance model for Iran’s scientific associations requires an intelligent blend of national policy coherence and local/professional autonomy. This “centralized–flexible” model can balance system-wide accountability with domain-specific adaptability.
Keywords
Scientific associations
Science governance
Australia
New Zealand
Scientific development
Subjects
امیرشیبانی، محمدعلی. (1372). نگرش تاریخی به انجمن‌های علمی در ایران. رهیافت، شماره 6.
AAAS. (2023). Annual report 2022. https://www.aaas.org
American Chemical Society (ACS). (2023). Journals and publications. Retrieved from https://www.acs.org
American Physical Society (APS). (2021). Physical Review Letters. Retrieved from https://www.aps.org
Aparicio, G., Iturralde, T., & Rodríguez, A. V. (2023). Developments in the knowledge-based economy research field: a bibliometric literature review. Management Review Quarterly, 73(1), 317-352.:
Aref, S., Friggens, D., & Hendy, S. (2018, January). Analysing scientific collaborations of New Zealand institutions using scopus bibliometric data. In Proceedings of the Australasian Computer Science Week Multiconference (pp. 1-10).
Associations Act 2003. https://legislation.nt.gov.au/en/Legislation/ASSOCIATIONS-ACT-2003
Associations Incorporation Act 1964. https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/html/inforce/2024-12-17/act-1964-064/lh
Associations Incorporation Act 1981. https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1981-074
Associations Incorporation Act 1985. https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/lz?path=%2FC%2FR%2FAssociations%20Incorporation%20Regulations%202023
Associations Incorporation Act 1991. https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/1991-46/
Associations Incorporation Act 2009. https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/2021-03-25/act-2009-007#statusinformation
Associations Incorporation Act 2015. https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/law_a147082_subsidiary.html
Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012. https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-04/12-20aa017%20authorised.pdf
Australian Academy of Science. (2022). Strategic plan 2021–2025. https://www.science.org.au/about-us/strategic-plan 
Australian Academy of Science. (2023). Annual Report 2023. https://www.science.org.au/about-us/governance/annual-and-financial-reports/annual-report-2023
Carayannis, E. G., & Campbell, D. F. J. (2009). Modé 3’and ‘Quadruplé Hélix’: toward a 21st century fractal innovation ecosystem International Journal of Technology Management 46, 3/4, 201-234.
Etzkowitz, H., & Leydesdorff, L. (2000). The dynamics of innovation: from National Systems and “Mode 2” to a Triple Helix of university–industry–government relations. Research policy, 29(2), 109-123.
European Physical Society (EPS). (2022). International conferences and networking. Retrieved from https://www.eps.org
Hoare, M. E. (1974). Science and scientific associations in Eastern Australia, 1820-1890. The Australian National University (Australia).
Johnson, R. (2019). From coalition to commons: Plan S and the future of scholarly communication.
Kevles, D. J. (1995). The physicists: The history of a scientific community in modern America. Harvard University Press.
Kondo, J. (2023). The Activities of the Science Council of Japan. In Worldwide Science and Technology Advice (pp. 277-284). Routledge.
Lim, W. Y. B., Ng, J. S., Xiong, Z., Niyato, D., Miao, C., & Kim, D. I. (2021). Dynamic edge association and resource allocation in self-organizing hierarchical federated learning networks. IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, 39(12), 3640-3653.
Martin, S. (2019). Historicizing the Knowledge Commons: Open Access, Technical Knowledge, and the Industrial Application of Science. KULA, 3(1), 1-6.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. (2024). National Science Challenges. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Science_Challenges
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. (n.d.). NIWA Overview. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Institute_of_Water_and_Atmospheric_Research
New Zealand Association of Scientists. (2023). News and commentary. https://scientists.org.nz/news
New Zealand Government. (1957). Charitable Trusts Act 1957. New Zealand Legislation. https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1957/0018/latest/DLM310742.html
New Zealand Government. (2020). Education and Training Act 2020. New Zealand Legislation. https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2020/0038/latest/LMS202213.html
New Zealand Government. (2022). Incorporated Societies Act 2022. New Zealand Legislation. https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2022/0005/latest/LMS575405.html
New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science. (2025). Institution profile. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Institute_for_Bioeconomy_Science
OECD (2021). Governance of science, technology and innovation. OECD Publishing.
Royal Society Te Apārangi. (2023). Annual report 2022–2023. https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/who-we-are/annual-reports 
Royal Society. (2020). The Role of Scientific Societies in Policy Making. Retrieved from https://royalsociety.org/
Scholl, H. J., & Scholl, M. C. (2014). Smart governance: A roadmap for research and practice. IConference 2014 proceedings.