PRESIDENT'S NOTES
26 April 2001
Dear Colleague,
At the Academy we are all looking forward to the Prime Minister’s opening of the refurbished Shine Dome on 4 May. This is part of Science at the Shine Dome, a series of events that includes the Academy's annual general meeting and symposium as well as a special exhibition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery about the design and construction of the Dome. I hope to see you there.
Best wishes
Brian D O Anderson
NEW EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
I am pleased to report that the Academy's new Executive Secretary is Professor Sue Serjeantson, who has had a distinguished research career in human genetics and who has also been a senior administrator of research and academia, including a period as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Australian National University. She replaces Peter Vallee, who held the position for 14 years. For more information see http://www.science.org.au/media/execsec.htm.
STEM CELL RESEARCH
The Academy will be releasing a paper on human stem cell research in time for the annual general meeting. The paper reviews recent international developments reflecting the Academy's support for approved research activities in cellular and developmental biology and its continuing efforts to contribute to public understanding of stem cell research. Copies will be available from mailto:nr@science.org.au.
RESEARCH ASSESSMENT
In April I had a meeting with the opposition spokesperson on education, Michael Lee. Even though there appears to be little support, in the government or the opposition, for the research assessment exercise model, the Academy should maintain its support for greater concentration of genuine research excellence in DETYA block funding. Other possible models include that used by the National Health and Medical Research Council or the use of a quality assurance agency.
HIGHER EDUCATION
The Academy is finalising its submission to the current Senate review of the capacity of public universities to meet Australia's higher education needs. The submission will be available on the Academy’s website shortly.
BIOPROSPECTING
The Academy has prepared a submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries and Regional Services on the development of high-technology industries in regional Australia based on bioprospecting.
MAJOR FACILITIES
The Secretary (Science Policy), John White, was involved in discussions regarding the preparation of guidelines for the major national research facilities program.
POPULATION AND ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH
The Academy is hoping to start soon on a web-based review of sustainability research, funded by the Population and Environment Research Fund.
FLUORESCENCE WORKSHOP
Following a recommendation of the National Committee for Biophysics, the Academy has contributed towards the cost of organising a workshop on fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy at Sydney University, which was held on 18 April 2001.
SELBY FELLOW
Professor Keith A Moffat, a 2001 Selby Fellow, will begin his Australian tour on 7 May. He is Louis Block Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Chicago. He is distinguished both as an innovative researcher and as the proponent, organiser and director of major synchrotron research facilities. Professor Moffat’s lecture schedule is available at http://www.science.org.au/media/selby2001.htm.
LEMBERG FELLOW
Dr David Bowman, Principal Research Fellow at the Northern Territory University and a well known plant ecologist, has been awarded the 2001 Lemberg Travelling Fellowship. He will present public lectures on 'The Australian flora: Past and present management' in all capital cities in April and May. Background information about Dr Bowman and his detailed lecture schedule are available at http://www.science.org.au/media/lemberg.htm.
PHYSIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
The Academy is helping 16 PhD students attend the 34th International Congress of Physiological Sciences. The funds come from the Academy's International Congress of Physiological Sciences Fund.
KOREA WORKSHOPS
The Foreign Secretary, Kurt Lambeck, attended the first meeting of the Australia-Korea Joint Committee on Science and Technology. The Department of Industry, Science and Resources is seeking ideas for workshop topics.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION LINKS
The US National Science Foundation has renewed interest in holding joint workshops, modelled after NATO's advanced studies institutes.
DIARY HIGHLIGHTS
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) 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) 6125 3578, mailto:jww@rsc.anu.edu.au
Foreign Secretary, Professor Kurt Lambeck
phone (02) 6125 5161, mailto:kurt.lambeck@anu.edu.au
Treasurer, Professor Athel Beckwith
phone (02) 6125 3234, mailto:beckwith@rsc.anu.edu.au
