PRESIDENT'S NOTES
19 September 2000
Dear Colleagues
Following recent meetings and reports, I feel that at last some of the efforts of the Academy and others to change perceptions of the national importance of research are bearing fruit. I would encourage all of you to do what you can to maintain the momentum, ensuring that policy proposals are converted into action.
My visit to Hobart on the 11th September to meet with the Tasmanian group of Fellows completed my meetings with the Regional Groups in all States. I have enjoyed this contact enormously, benefiting from the sound advice of Fellows whilst taking note of regional concerns. I hope this Note goes some way to help maintain that contact as well as keeping you aware of recent developments and of the efforts of Council on behalf of science, technology and innovation.
With best wishes,
Brian D O Anderson
SUPPORT THE CHANCE TO CHANGE
On behalf of the Academy, I have strongly supported the proposals in the report of the Innovation Summit Implementation Group (see press statement at http://www.science.org.au/media/isig.htm). The recommendations of this report complement those of Robin Batterham in his 'Chance to change' report and will address in a significant way the deficiencies in Australia’s research base. I would urge Fellows of the Academy and others interested in the future of our science, technology and capacity to innovate to write to members of the Federal Government in support of the proposals.
Copies of the reports are available at http://www.isr.gov.au/new/index.html.
US RESEARCH POLICY
The Secretary (Science Policy), John White, while in the USA visited the Argonne National Laboratory and the National Science Foundation. He will communicate with the Minister for Education on US methods of evaluating research quality.
MEETING WITH EUROPEANS
The Academy has agreed to participate in a meeting of Australian researchers with representatives of European countries with the aim of helping European Community countries understand the links between Australian and European science. The meeting is being organised by Dr Alain Moulet, science attaché of the French Embassy (phone 02 6216 0133).
IDENTIFYING AUSTRALIAN MAMMALS
With help from a private donation, the Academy will contribute $7000 for the development of a CD-ROM that will allow researchers to identify Australian mammals from samples of hair.
WATER POLICY
The Business Council of Australia has put a proposal to the National Academies Forum for a joint project on Australia’s water resources. We will be seeking advice on the proposal from Fellows.
MEDICAL PANEL
The Academy has decided to adhere to the planned international medical organisation, the InterAcademy Medical Panel, for the time being. We have also referred the matter to the National Committee for Medicine and the Royal Australian College of Physicians for their comment.
National Academies Forum
The National Academies Forum symposium, 'Every Eight Seconds: AIDS Revisited', will be held on November 29-30 in Canberra at the National Library Theatre. The National Library is jointly hosting the symposium. The preliminary program, registration form and hotel information are at http://www.naf.org.au/aids.htm .
DIARY
11 October: 282 Council
13 October: Meeting on 'Greenhouse gases – meeting our bottom line'
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
OFFICE BEARERS
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
