Australian education and training and vocational education and training (VET) research are in a state of crisis. Both the higher education and VET sectors are now squeezed and subject to contradictory objectives, multiple accountabilities, heightened expectations, and diminished resources in an environment of uncertainty and frustration. The research training environment is little better, and the VET research community is in a particularly vulnerable position. Publicly funded VET research has enjoyed a period of steady growth in activity since the late 1980s. However, serious questions are beginning to arise about the nature and character of the orientation of VET research and the identity and purpose of VET research. The environment is increasingly being dominated by"evaluative" research that is mostly directed to the science of policy rather than a wider exploration of issues. There is also a prevailing view that unless research is immediately "useful" in addressing the needs of government, it lacks legitimacy. The future for VET researchers is increasingly related to future changes to the work of teachers and VET practitioners. Many opportunities for postgraduate research are shrinking, and success in competitive grants has such low odds of success that it is difficult to see where future developments will originate. (Contains 10 references.) (MN)