PRESIDENT'S NOTES
20 December 2000
Dear Colleagues,
As we near the end of 2000, we can recall that the Federal Government has now received the final advice from the Chief Scientist and the Innovation Summit process. We are now looking to the Federal Government for strong leadership and action in 2001, which will in turn nurture a vigorous, focused research base and constant innovation for Australia. A prosperous and sustainable future for Australia depends on our industries, universities and research institutes being properly led, properly motivated and properly funded.
With best wishes for a happy Christmas and fruitful discovery in the New Year,
Brian D O Anderson
PRIME MINISTER’S COUNCIL
I attended the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council on 30November. We discussed under one agenda item the Chief Scientist’s report, the recommendations of the Innovation Summit Implementation Group and those of my working party on information and communication technologies. The ISIG report has been put up on the PMSEIC website at http://www.isr.gov.au/industry/summit/isig/body%5Fisig.html. These matters are now before Federal Cabinet.
ACADEMY AWARDS
My warmest congratulations to the following medallists:
Flinders Medal and Lecture - Professor Alan Sargeson FAA (ANU)
Craig Medal - Professor Michael Paddon-Row FAA (UNSW)
Hannan Medal - Professor Adrian Baddeley FAA (UWA)
Jaeger Medal - Dr Bruce Hobbs FAA (CSIRO)
Haddon King Medal - Dr John Hunt (Hunt Exploration Inc)
Ian Wark Medal and Lecture - Dr Ken McCracken FAA
Lyle Medal - Professor Ian Sloan FAA (UNSW)
Junior researchers (<40 years):
Fenner Medal - Dr Barry Pogson (ANU)
Gottschalk Medal - Dr Christopher Goodnow (JCSMR)
Moran Medal - Dr Aihua Xia (UNSW)
Pawsey Medal - Dr Brian Schmidt (Mt Stromlo and Siding Springs Observatory)
RESEARCH REACTOR
Science Policy Secretary, John White, is continuing to provide advice and comment to the government on the new research reactor. He has also advised the Senate Committee inquiring into the contract to build the reactor. For more information, call Trish Nicholls on (02) 6247 3966 or mailto:nr@science.org.au.
NEUTRON SCATTERING RESEARCH
John White has also been promoting neutron-scattering research in the Asia-Pacific region. He has visited Japan and the USA to discuss the subject.
REVIEW OF KEY SCIENCE POLICY POSITIONS
The Academy’s Council has reviewed recent policy activities. It has supported what has been done, and noted that work done in anticipation of any request for comment, such as our study on human cloning, has been extremely valuable in preparing the Academy to respond promptly and effectively when topics reach the political agenda. In 2001, we will direct our attention toward issues such as sustainability, genetically modified organisms, industrial research and development, innovation performance metrics, higher education policy, and other live issues, while maintaining our interest in this year’s agenda with its strong focus on the role of basic research.
NEW DIRECTIONS
Council recently considered 'Ideas for new activities, a discussion paper' and supported in general terms the new directions proposed. The paper now goes to our Strategic Plan Review Committee for incorporation into our Plan.
NOMINATIONS TO AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL PANELS
The Academy has decided against nominating researchers for consideration for appointment to ARC panels. Instead, Fellows have been invited to advise the Secretaries if they have been nominated and the Secretaries have commented on those nominations.
AGM SYMPOSIUM, 2002
At our meeting on 1 December 2000, Council discussed possible topics for AGM symposia in years 2002 and beyond. Proposed subjects included sustainability, mind-brain and computer science, nanotechnology, carbon and the International Space Station. If you would like to propose a subject, please contact the Secretaries.
PROPOSED NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABILITY
All four Australian Academies support the idea of a joint Academies Committee to advise on sustainability. Each Academy would maintain its own activities in the area and nominate one or two people to take part in the joint Academies’ work. We have offered administrative support for the committee, which will report to the Executive of the National Academies Forum.
EVERY EIGHT SECONDS: AIDS REVISITED
On 29–30 November 2000, the National Academies Forum and National Library of Australia hosted the national symposium, 'Every Eight Seconds: AIDS Revisited'. Abstracts are available at http://www.naf.org.au/aidsabstracts.htm.
FENNER MEDAL AND GOTTSCHALK MEDAL
The subject scope of the Fenner and Gottschalk Medals will be more clearly distinguished if Council’s foreshadowed changes to our Standing Orders are confirmed. The Fenner Medal will be for research on ‘plants and non-mammalian animals’ while the Gottschalk Medal will be for ‘mammalian animals’.
NOMINATIONS FOR SCIENCE PRIZES
Nominations have been called for the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science, the Minister’s Prize for achievement in the Life Sciences, and the Malcolm McIntosh Prize for achievement in the Physical Sciences. Eligibility is limited to Australian citizens and those who have permanent resident status as defined by the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs. Nominations should be lodged with the Science Prizes Secretariat. Additional information can be found at http://www.isr.gov.au/science.
These are prestigious prizes and bring great credit to both the individuals who receive them and the institutions they represent.
ASIA EXCHANGES
The Academy supports international collaboration with a number of Asian countries including short-term visits and post-doctoral awards. At present most people who apply win an award. Council wishes to encourage more applications. The next deadline will be mid-2001. The details are at http://www.science.org.au/internat.
INTER-ACADEMY PANEL (IAP) AND INTER-ACADEMY MEDICAL PANEL (IAPM)
The Inter-Academy Panel comprises most of the world's national science academies, and leads joint activities on matters like sustainability. The Academy is a member, and has been appointed to the IAP Council. The Academy has also joined the recently-formed Inter-Academy Medical Panel. More information on both is available at http://www4.nationalacademies.org/oia/iap/iaphome.nsf and http://www.interacademies.net/medical.
SHINE DOME
The Project Committee has advised that the project will be finished within budget by mid-February. Landscaping work between the Academy’s two buildings will be deferred until additional funds are available.
GREENHOUSE GASES - MEETING OUR BOTTOM LINE
Copies of the latest National Science and Industry Forum report - Greenhouse gases: Meeting our bottom line - are available, free of charge, from mailto:ac@science.org.au. Copies are being sent to the Fellowship. The report is also available on our website at http://www.science.org.au/industry/reports.htm.
ABC TAKES A LEAP BACKWARDS
Following the news that the ABC was abandoning its in-house TV science capability in favour of as-yet-unspecified out-sourced programs, we have acted strongly on your behalf to persuade the ABC to think again. John White issued a media statement last Thursday, and I have written to Senator Alston and Mr McDonald, the Chair of the ABC Board. It would be helpful for Fellows,
and others, to make known their views to Mr Shier in particular. His email address is mailto:shier.jonathan@abc.net.au. I know a number of Fellows have already done so. The Academy's statement is available on our website at http://www.science.org.au/media/abc2.htm.
DIARY HIGHLIGHTS
1 February: 284 Council and EXCOM
19-21 February: Boden Research Conference on immune deviation and reproductive function. Information is available from mailto:mark.hedger@med.monash.edu.au
26 February: Six-monthly review of overseas collaboration programs
7 March: 285 Council and EXCOM
2-4 May: Science at the Shine Dome (http://www.science.org.au/sats)
30-31 May: FEAST (Forum on European-Australian Science and Technology Cooperation). Information is available from mailto:io@science.org.au
September: Asian Post-Doctoral Awards Committee
October: Asia Collaboration Support Committee
November: Europe Collaboration Support Committee
December: North America Collaboration Support Committee
OFFICE BEARERS
President, Professor Brian Anderson
phone (02) 6279 8667, fax (02) 6279 8688;
from 1 January phone (02) 6125 8667, fax (02) 6125 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; from 1 January phone (02) 6125 3578
mailto:jww@rsc.anu.edu.au
Foreign Secretary, Professor Kurt Lambeck
phone (02) 6249 5161; from 1 January phone (02) 6125 5161
mailto:kurt.lambeck@anu.edu.au
Treasurer, Professor Athel Beckwith
phone (02) 6249 3234; from 1 January phone (02) 6125 3234
mailto:beckwith@rsc.anu.edu.au
