Leading with courage and integrity in the National Science Challenges

Area of Science:

• Science policy
• Leadership studies
• Indigenous knowledge systems

Background:

• National Science Challenges (NSCs) represented a decade-long science policy experiment in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• The leadership skills essential for mission-led intent, stakeholder trust, transdisciplinary research, and integrating Māori knowledge within NSCs were previously unexamined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key leadership elements within the NSCs, with a specific focus on the Biological Heritage (BioHeritage) challenge.
• To draw parallels with global initiatives for modernizing science policy and valuing Indigenous knowledge in environmental crisis management.

Main Methods:

• Identification of 15 common leadership elements across NSCs.
• Analysis of leadership practices within the Biological Heritage (Ngā Koiora Tuku Iho) challenge.
• Comparative analysis with international science policy modernization efforts.

Main Results:

• Fifteen distinct leadership elements were identified as common across the National Science Challenges.
• The study highlights the critical role of leadership in integrating Indigenous knowledge with scientific research for environmental solutions.

Conclusions:

• The leadership capabilities developed through NSCs offer valuable lessons for the future of Aotearoa's Research, Science & Innovation (RS&I) sector.
• Ten recommendations are proposed to ensure the enduring benefit of NSC-built leadership capacity for researchers, Indigenous knowledge holders, society, and the environment.