On the 16 February 2023 the Australian Academy of Science celebrated seven decades of bringing science to the service of the nation.
“600 Fellows are currently elected to the Australian Academy of Science for their outstanding contributions. Each Fellow is nominated by their peers and chosen through a rigorous election process. They are our national treasure,” Academy President Professor Chennupati Jagadish said. Read the President’s message.
In 1954 the founding members of the Academy’s first Council, originally just ten members of the United Kingdom’s Royal Society, gathered in a small room at Government House to receive the Academy’s founding document, the Royal Charter, from the Queen. Watch broadcaster and Academy Fellow Professor Robyn Williams in discussion with Michael Wilson, grandson of Sir Mark Oliphant’s, the Academy’s founding President, about Oliphant’s legacy and vision for science in Australia. See the full interview (30mins).
Above: Watch Professor Robyn Williams AM FAA in discussion with Michael Wilson, Sir Mark Oliphant’s grandson, about Oliphant’s legacy and vision for science in Australia. See the full interview (30mins)
On 20 February 2024, the Academy published a brief on the future computing needs of the Australian science sector. In the brief, the Academy calls for a national strategy backed by at least one exascale capability to secure Australia’s sovereign capability and enable science and research to meet national and regional priorities.
Late last year, the Academy brought together a roundtable of multidisciplinary experts from fields including genomics, computational medicine, climate science, artificial intelligence and quantum physics to consider Australia’s future supercomputing needs for science. This is the first in a series of briefs resulting from the roundtable discussions.
Academy President Professor Chennupati Jagadish gave a welcome address at the 2024 Supercomputing Asia conference on 20 February, launching the brief to inform policymakers.
“Australia, like other leading nations, needs to urgently consider future investment in high-performance computing and data to remain competitive and provide services and benefits to all Australians,” Professor Jagadish said.
In an era marked by escalating geopolitical conflicts, the resilience of the global scientific community has never been more crucial. A new publication from the International Science Council (ISC) think-tank the Centre for Science Futures, Protecting science in times of crisis, addresses the urgent need to protect scientists, academics and educational institutions increasingly impacted by global crises.
The report draws on lessons learned from recent crises and emphasises the importance of prevention, protection and rebuilding phases in the humanitarian cycle, advocating for systematic, efficient and coordinated approaches to crisis management within the science sector. It makes a series of recommendations and offers a strategic framework for the global scientific community.
The Australian Academy of Science is a Member of the ISC and leads the ISC Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific to ensure that regional needs and priorities are represented in the ISC’s global agenda.
The Global Young Academy (GYA) underscored the pivotal role of fundamental science in achieving the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals with its Call for action from young academies and young associations: Reaffirming the role of fundamental sciences in achieving sustainable development through enhanced and equitable support of fundamental research and early- to mid-career researchers.
This is a collective statement endorsed by 30 Young Academies and Associations and delivered by GYA member Hiba Baroud (Vanderbilt University, United States) during the closing ceremony of the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development at CERN in Switzerland. The Academy’s Early- and Mid-Career Forum provided substantial feedback to the draft document, which was incorporated.
Find out more about coming opportunities for scientists:
Keep abreast of the Academy Fellowship in the Fellows update:
If Fellows have been recognised for an award, please let us know via fellowship@science.org.au so we can consider including it in the next update.
This year, the Academy is holding its National Symposium as part of World Science Festival Brisbane, attracting a wide and diverse audience. The symposium will explore the very substance of life: food! We will explore how the food on our plates—whether it’s taco Tuesday or Sunday roast—is changing.
The event will engage and relate to everyday Australians’ experiences while illustrating Australia’s scientific capabilities and how they will shape and meet the future needs of the nation. Whether you are a student, scientist, policy maker, or simply interested in food, join us at ‘Food Futures: Nourishing a Nation’.
Date: Friday 22 March 2024
Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm AEST
Venue: Skyroom, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Grey Street, Brisbane
In person registrations close: 9.00am AEDT on Friday 15 March.
Online registrations close: 9.30am AEDT on Friday 22 March.
More information and registration
Distinguished Professor Brajesh Singh FAA and Dr Zefang Shen will explore the work of Academy Founding Fellow Professor James Arthur Prescott CBE FAA FRS and his pioneering developments in soil science, as well as what is next in the field.
Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply curious about the fascinating world of soil science, this event promises to inform and inspire!
Date: Tuesday 9 April 2024
Time: 5.30pm – 6.00pm at the venue for refreshments, followed by the talks 6.00pm – 7.00pm AEST
Venue: The Shine Dome Canberra, and online livestream
Cost: $17 to attend in person, free online
More information and registration
Since the Academy’s creation by Royal Charter in 1954, the first donations received by our Founders assisted towards the foundation of the Endowment Fund—allowing the Academy to establish its independence.
With further support from our Fellows, donors and friends, we have been able to develop and implement a breadth of programs and activities that are now sewn into the fabric of Australian science.
Today, we continue to uphold this legacy and donations play an important role in ensuring science informs decisions wherever they are made, the continuation of building capabilities, nurturing early- and mid-career researchers who are shaping the science sector, and contributing to national and international challenges.
To learn more about giving to the Academy visit our website or contact Kate Groves on (02) 6201 9460 or kate.groves@science.org.au
We hope you will consider supporting the Academy and our vision for excellence in science.
The Honorary editor of the Academy newsletter is Professor Yuri Estrin FAA
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
