PRESIDENT'S NOTES
11 August 2000
Dear Colleague,
The death of the Academy’s founding President, Sir Mark Oliphant, on 14 July has given us pause to consider the role of science in life and society. Those in Canberra who knew Sir Mark or appreciated his contribution to science and Australia are welcome to attend the memorial occasion organised by the Academy and the ANU on 25 August. It will be in the Great Hall of University House, ANU, and will begin with a speech from the Governor-General at 10.30 am.
With best wishes,
Brian D O Anderson
RESEARCH REACTOR
The Secretary (Science Policy), John White, has held discussions with officers of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources about the specifications for the new research reactor. The reactor will be built by the Argentinian firm, INVAP. The Academy will take a close interest in the delivery by the contractors of the specifications for producing research capabilities.
INDUSTRY LINKS
John White has prepared a submission to the Innovation Summit Implementation Group on the topic ‘Enhancing linkages: CRCs and beyond’.
Meanwhile Dr Jim Peacock, on behalf of five peak science organisations, including the Academy, has placed a proposal before the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources to promote science-industry links. The proposal is called ‘Science, technology and the boardroom’.
GENE TECHNOLOGY LEGISLATION
To prepare for an Academy submission, a number of Fellows have commented on the Gene Technology Bill currently before the Federal Parliament.
VICE-PRESIDENTS
The Council has elected the Secretary (Physical Sciences), Bruce McKellar, and the Secretary (Biological Sciences), John Young, as Vice-Presidents for 2000-2001.
ELECTION OF FELLOWS
The postal ballot of the Fellowship on the proposal to increase the maximum number of Fellows elected annually from 12 to 16 has been supported by the required majority. The new maximum will apply to nominations received by 1 August 2000.
Our methods of proposing candidates makes research performance the primary criterion but also takes account of geographical, disciplinary and gender representation. Search Committees will continue to look for potential candidates in all fields while special Search Committees have been established in the fields of pharmaceutical research and information technology and communications.
NEW FELLOWS
I think it is desirable to get newly elected Fellows involved in the business of the Academy as soon as possible. We are reviewing a timetable for appointing the Academy’s National Committees so that new Fellows can be encouraged to join.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR SUSTAINABILITY
The Academy should be prepared to take a leading role in national and international debate on sustainable production and consumption, particularly by preparing advice and comment on scientific aspects. Council has decided in principle to establish a National Committee for Sustainability to incorporate the remit of the National Committee for Global Change. Graeme Pearman (mailto:graeme.pearman@dar.csiro.au) will explore the idea further, including possible membership of the committee and collaboration with other organisations.
NUTRITION WORKSHOP
The National Committee for Nutrition held a workshop on 4 August to discuss the different types of evidence behind recommendations for human nutrition, with the goal of reducing the confusion and misinterpretation on the subject. The workshop was organised by Professor Stewart Truswell, Committee Chair. The findings of the workshop will be available on the Academy's website in September.
SPACE SCIENCE
The National Committee for Space Science has prepared a report on Australian space research 1998-2000. This is available as a PDF file on the Academy’s website at http://www.science.org.au/media/
cospar2000.pdf.
FORUM ON GREENHOUSE GASES
The Academy’s National Science and Industry Forum will be holding a meeting on the mitigation of greenhouse gases on 13 October 2000 in Melbourne. There is a special registration rate of $110 (including GST) for retired Fellows. The program and registration details are available on the Academy's website at http://www.science.org.au/industry/greenhouse.htm or contact Faye Nicholas on 02 6247 5777.
SYMPOSIUM ON AIDS
The National Academies Forum, of which the Academy is a member, is planning a symposium entitled 'Every eight seconds: AIDS revisted', which will update the Academy's 1991 AGM symposium on 'HIV infection and AIDS'. It will be held on 29-30 November 2000, and more information will be available in my next note.
SUSTAINABILITY MEETING
Graeme Pearman attended an InterAcademy Panel meeting on the sustainability transition in Tokyo in May as the Academy’s delegate. His report is available from Trish Nicholls (mailto:nr@science.org.au).
VIDEO HISTORIES OF AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE
A number of Fellows have already been subjects of video interviews (see http://www.science.org.au/scientists). Two Council members, Cheryl Praeger and Marilyn Renfree, will advise on the priorities for future interviews.
LEMBERG FELLOWSHIP
David Bowman, of the Northern Territory University, has been awarded the Academy’s 2000 Lemberg Fellowship. The title of his public lecture is The Australian flora: past and present management. His program is being organised by Professor Geoffrey Hope (02 6249 3283).
AGM REVIEW
Council has considered a review of the AGM events in May, this year and endorsed the goal of arranging another series of AGM events next year that will be as attractive to many of our scientific colleagues. They key elements are the New Fellows Seminar, the New Fellows dinner, the Symposium, the admission of new Fellows and presentation of awards, and the closed session for dealing with our domestic business.
DIARY HIGHLIGHTS
16 August: Executive Committee
21 August: Schizophrenia and other psychoses; Organising Committee
25 August: Sir Mark Oliphant; memorial occasion
4 September: Board of the Australian Foundation for Science
6 September: Executive Committee
12 September: Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council Standing Committee
15 September: Finance Committee
11 October: 282 Council
13 October: National Science and Industry Forum meeting on greenhouse gases
20 October: 'Schizophrenia and other psychoses' symposium
8 November: Executive Committee
27 November: Australian Foundation for Science AGM
30 November: Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council
1 December: 283 Council
NATIONAL COMMITTEES
Minutes of the following meetings are available at http://www.science.org.au/
internat/natcomm/natcom.htm. Copies can be requested from Ros Wallace at 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
