PRESIDENT'S NOTES
24 March 2000
Dear Colleague,
Here is the latest news from the Academy of Science.
With best wishes,
Brian D O Anderson
ACADEMY ELECTS 12 NEW MEMBERS
In a postal ballot of all Fellows the following were elected by Ordinary Election to the Fellowship. The Academy issued a press release to this effect at 11.00am today.
Professor Bruce Armstrong, 55, Director, Cancer Control Information Centre, New South Wales Cancer Council, Sydney (Field: Public health science)
Professor Adrian Baddeley, 44, Professor of Mathematics (Probability and Statistics), University of Western Australia (Image analysis, spatial statistics, stochastic geometry and stereology)
Professor Julie Campbell, 53, Senior Principal Research Fellow, NHMRC, Centre for Research in Vascular Biology, University of Queensland (Cell biology; cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis)
Professor Victor Flambaum, 48, Professor of Theoretical Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney (Atomic physics, nuclear physics)
Professor Bruce Kemp, 53, Deputy Director, Senior Principal Research Fellow NHMRC, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, Victoria (Biochemistry; molecular basis of protein kinases used in the design of drugs)
Professor Keith Nugent, 40, Head of School and Professor of Physics, University of Melbourne (X-ray optics in astronomy)
Professor Mark Randolph, 48, Professor of Civil Engineering, director of the Special Research Centre for Offshore Foundations and Head of Geomechanics Group, University of Western Australia (Foundations for offshore structures; piles and pile groups)
Professor Peter Reeves, 65, Head of Department, Microbiology Department, University of Sydney (Bacterial genetics; vaccine development)
Professor Richard Robson, 62, Associate Professor, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne (Inorganic chemistry, 'binucleating ligands' and coordination polymers)
Professor Lesley Joy Rogers, 56, Professor of Neuroscience and Animal Behaviour, School of Biological Sciences, University of New England, Armidale (Brain development and behaviour)
Professor Joseph Sambrook, 60, Director of Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Melbourne (Cancers; melanoma)
Professor Curt Wentrup, 57, Professor of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Queensland (Organic and physical chemistry - carbenes and nitrenes)
A statement of the Academy's election policies and procedures is available at www.science.org.au/academy/policies-and-procedures.html.
RESEARCH ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
On 9 March the Secretary (Science Policy), John White, and I met the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Dr Kemp, to discuss the Academy's proposal for a research assessment exercise to provide a better qualitative basis for the allocation of research funds. During his time in Britain, where he is at present, John will be following up with the managers of the British RAE a number of matters raised by the Minister.
HUMAN CLONING
Following the Academy's statements and meetings on the subject, John White has given advice to the House of Representatives inquiry into human cloning. Copies of Academy statements are available at www.science.org.au/media/clone2.htm.
CSIRO PROPERTY
The Academy is making inquiries into the government review of CSIRO property, particularly the impact of proposed sale and lease-back arrangements on CSIRO's budget and capacity to manage its affairs.
REVIEW OF THE ACADEMIES
On 10 March the Secretary (Physical Sciences), Bruce McKellar, the Foreign Secretary, Kurt Lambeck, and I met Geoffrey Blainey and John Maloney, who have been appointed by Dr Kemp to review the learned academies. We had a cordial discussion with the reviewers, for two hours, and will be completing a formal submission by early April.
HIGHER EDUCATION
The Canberra Times has published an article on higher education by John White. The text is available at http://www.science.org.au/media/unis.htm.
ANTARCTIC RESEARCH
We have decided to maintain our National Committee for Antarctic Research, despite a partial overlap between its tasks and those of the government's Antarctic Science Advisory Committee.
NATIONAL COMMITTEES
We are keen to increase the involvement of Fellows in National Committees. These committees offer a good opportunity to have an impact on discipline areas. Fellows who are interested are invited to contact the Secretaries. A list of National Committees is available at www.science.org.au/natcom/.
AGM
Arrangements for the Academy's annual general meeting in May are progressing well. The meeting now includes a number of events – the New Fellows' Seminar, the 2-day symposium, the formal sessions of the AGM and a reception for awardees – which will collectively be known as Australia's science future; the Australian Academy of Science's AGM 2000. For more information see http://www.science.org.au/future. I am pleased to report a positive response from research organisations to our request for them to support the attendance of their younger researchers at our symposium.
INNOVATION FORUM
The National Academies Forum is arranging a meeting on the outcomes of the National Innovation Summit in February. This could contribute to the work of the committee appointed by the Minister to prepare proposals for action by government.
THE GREAT SOUVENIR HUNT IS ON
To support the Dome fundraising campaign, the Academy will undertake a search for souvenirs of the Dome. A public event to launch the search will be held on 5 May. Any contributions would be welcome. Contact Nancy Lane on (02) 6247 5777 or mailto:do@science.org.au.
OVERSEAS VISITORS
The President met with Professor Tze-Chi Hsu, Director General, Department of International Programs, National Science Council of Taiwan, and Professor Zsehong Tsai, Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, on 29 February 2000. Professor Hsu and Professor Tsai were visiting Australia as members of a delegation promoting collaborations with Taiwan.
TWO NEW OVERSEAS PROGRAMS
The Academy is pleased to announce two new programs to help young Australian researchers conduct short-term visits to either the United States of America or Europe. Information and application forms are available at http://www.science.org.au/internat. The closing date is 15 April 2000.
DIARY HIGHLIGHTS
2000 AGM
2 May: New Fellows' Seminar
3-4 May: Australia's Science Future: the 2000 AGM Symposium
5 May: Admission of New Fellows; Award presentations and formal business
NATIONAL COMMITTEES
Minutes of the following meetings are available at www.science.org.au/
internat/natcomm/natcom.htm. Copies can be requested from Ros Wallace, mailto:ns@science.org.au or (02) 6247 3966.
- Plant sciences (18 October 1999)
- Animal sciences (13 August 1999)
- Geography (30 July 1999)
- Astronomy (12 July 1999)
- Quaternary research (11 June 1999)
- Biophysics (21 May 1999)
OFFICE BEARERS OF THE ACADEMY
President, Professor Brian Anderson
phone (02) 6279 8667, fax (02) 6279 8688,
mailto:brian.anderson@anu.edu.au
Secretary (Physical Sciences), Professor Bruce McKellar
phone (03) 9344 5122, mailto:b.mckellar@physics.unimelb.edu.au
Secretary (Biological Sciences), Professor John Young
phone (02) 9351 4600, mailto:johny@physiol.usyd.edu.au
Secretary (Science Policy), Professor John White
phone (02) 6249 3578, mailto:jww@rsc.anu.edu.au
Foreign Secretary, Professor Kurt Lambeck
phone (02) 6249 5161, mailto:kurt.lambeck@anu.edu.au
Treasurer, Professor Athel Beckwith
phone (02) 6249 3234, mailto:beckwith@rsc.anu.edu.au
