Editorial - 14-5

Canada's apparent eagerness to participate at the leading edge of the global race towards an innovative, knowledge-based economy is being pitched as good news for researchers and future competitiveness. To a great degree, governments are stepping forward with creative new programs and financing schemes aimed at the university research community - the obvious source for new inventions and skilled personnel.

It's also an appropriate time to question the targeted nature of much of this support. Voices have been raised recently that query the rationale for pouring the bulk of new resources into the natural sciences and engineering, while scant attention, or money, is being directed towards other disciplines not explicitly engaged in S&T.

This concern is not only coming from those engaged in, or supportive of, the social sciences and humanities. It's also being raised by prominent members of the business community, who recognize that knowledge comes in many forms other than software code or chemical compounds. Innovative firms require trained personnel in a wide spectrum of disciplines, reflecting knowledge emanating from literature, history, sociology and arts and culture. The new media sector demonstrates how interdisciplinary research can produce spectacular results.

Too many governments ignore these areas of knowledge, and it's time for more business executives to speak up more forcefully in their defence.