Historically research for the common good was undertaken by government-funded research. For decades the Federal Government encouraged and funded building in unfired earth (rammed earth, mud brick and pressed earth brick) as being in the National interest. This work blossomed after world wars when there was a huge unmet demand for building and the Government seeing that unfired earth material could fill this gap if only the population had the information needed. The Government went about very successfully doing the research and making the information available. The CSIRO and State government departments undertook research into earth building for many years. They published books, manuals and notes and developed tests and techniques that promoted earth building and explained how to build comfortable, safe, durable and energy efficient passive solar homes. They helped it through Council if required. They also ran a service of laboratory testing of earthen materials to ensure suitability. At CSIRO in West Ryde, Sydney finished wall were displayed to show suitable mixes and techniques they were propounding.
This is no longer the case. Regrettably the sample walls, many of which had been on successful display for over 30 years were demolished a few short years ago along with the Government research offices, and the soil testing laboratories. The legacy of the work CSIRO did is the number of Publications and scientific notes written. Some are still available.
Valuable research is still being undertaken around the world. Germany, France and India have major earth building research and education centres and publications are available.
Today in Australia research is undertaken by industry or businesses usually in partnership with CSIRO or Universities. It is done for commercial reasons not usually for the common good. Once completed it is rarely made available publicly.