PRESIDENT'S NOTES
30 March 2006
Dear Colleagues,
As my four-year term as President of the Academy of Science comes to an end, I am increasingly aware that Australia does not use science as a foreign policy tool in the same way as some other countries. In recent weeks, the Academy of Science, working with the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) has provided the gateway for high-level scientific delegations from China, Japan, Germany, South Korea and Taiwan. Scientific collaborations promote long-term cooperation based on mutual understanding and respect.
Meanwhile, plans are well advanced for the third Australia-China Symposium to be held in Sydney in November this year, and discussions are underway for bilateral scientific workshops with both the United States and Indonesia.
On 10–11 April, the Chinese Academy of Science will host a symposium in Beijing on election procedures for learned Academies and on the roles and responsibilities of Fellows. The three learned Academies invited to contribute to the symposium are those of India, the United States and Australia. I shall attend, along with the Foreign Secretary, Bruce McKellar and the Executive Secretary, Sue Serjeantson, and shall enjoy and learn from the exchange.
We have excellent relations with very many of the diplomatic missions to Australia, especially the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Sweden, as countries not mentioned in the above. These relations are a tribute to the Academy’s Manager of International Programs, Nancy Pritchard.
I look forward to meeting up with those of you who are able to attend Science at the Shine Dome this year in the first week of May. Jim
ACADEMY ELECTS NEW FELLOWS
The Academy congratulates the following scientists who were elected to Fellowship on
24 March:
Professor David Allen, University of Sydney
Dr Brian Boyle, CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility, New South Wales
Professor Mark Burgman, University of Melbourne
Professor David Celermajer, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and University of Sydney
Professor (John) Barry Egan, University of Adelaide
Professor Lorenzo Faraone, University of Western Australia
Professor David Hinde, Australian National University, Canberra
Professor Andrew Holmes AM FRS, University of Melbourne
Professor Brian Kay, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
Professor Roger Powell, University of Melbourne
Dr Stephen Rintoul, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Hobart
Professor Igor Shparlinski, Macquarie University, New South Wales
Professor Michelle Simmons, University of New South Wales
Professor Evan Simpson, Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne
Professor Jonathan Sprent FRS, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney
Professor Susanne von Caemmerer, Australian National University, Canberra
Dr Robin Warren FRCPA Nobel Laureate, Formerly at Royal Perth Hospital
Dr John Zillman AO FTSE, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
More information is available at http://www.science.org.au/media/newfel2006.htm.
HONOURS TO FELLOWS
Professor Jenny Marshall Graves has been awarded a L´Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science. She was selected as the 2006 laureate for the Asia-Pacific region for her research in the evolution of mammalian genomes. Jenny has an international reputation in the study of mammalian genetics and the evolution of sex chromosomes. Her group played a pivotal role in identifying SRY, the sex-determining gene on the mammalian Y chromosome.
On Australia Day, Professor Ian Frazer was announced as the Australian of the Year for 2006. Ian’s research on the papilloma virus has resulted in the development of a vaccine to prevent and treat cervical cancer, which affects 500,000 women each year. The vaccine has the potential to eradicate cervical cancer within a generation.
Professor David de Kretser has been appointed the next Governor of Victoria. He will take over from John Landy on 7 April. David is a world-renowned reproductive biologist and has helped thousands of men to become fathers. He was the Founding Director of the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development, which is now known as the Monash Institute of Medical Research.
AUSTRALIAN-GERMAN WORKSHOP ON BIODIVERSITY
The ‘Australian–German workshop on biodiversity’ was held at the Shine Dome from 13–15 March and was attended by leading researchers in biotechnology and biodiversity from both countries. The President had the pleasure of welcoming His Excellency Mr Martin Lutz, the German Ambassador to Australia, who expressed his appreciation for the ongoing networking activities in science - reinforcing the links between Germany and Australia.
The German delegation was headed by the Director of the Asia–Oceania Division of the Federal Ministry for Education and Research, Dr Christian Stienen, and comprised leading researchers in biotechnology and biodiversity, as well as representatives from the German Government and research societies. The delegation also had talks with representatives from the Australian Government on research cooperation, and visited research facilities in Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney.
A report from the workshop will be published on the Academy’s website at http://www.science.org.au.
The workshop was supported by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) through the International Science Linkages Programme.
PrimaryConnections
The President, along with his colleague, Mr Giancarlo Savaris from the Department of Science, Education and Training, was delighted to welcome 88 educators from around Australia to the Shine Dome on 18 January. The occasion was the three-day workshop, Making Connections, which trained participants as facilitators for the PrimaryConnections program.
The trained facilitators will assist last year’s trialling schools to implement the program across the whole school. They will also provide professional development to teachers and schools taking on the program for the first time.
Those of you interested in finding out more about PrimaryConnections can visit the website at http://www.science.org.au/primaryconnections.
SCIENCE BY DOING
The Academy has embarked on the first stage of a collaborative national project for teaching science to lower secondary school students. The Science by Doing project will embrace an inquiry-based approach to learning.
A detailed framework and proposal will be developed for presentation to the Department of Education, Science and Training. The Project Director, Professor Denis Goodrum of the University of Canberra, will conduct research in the UK, the USA and Canada, and focus group meetings of Australian teachers will be held during April.
The draft framework will be discussed with all State and Territory education jurisdictions at a meeting of the Reference Group on 7 June to ensure that the program being developed meets the needs of secondary science teachers across Australia.
NATIONAL COMMITTEES FOR SCIENCE
The Chairs of the Academy’s 20 National Committees and two working parties will meet at the Shine Dome on 13 April to discuss the activities of the past two years, future plans and international activities. The meeting will be co-Chaired by Dr Bob Frater (Secretary, Physical Sciences) and Professor John Shine (Secretary, Biological Sciences).
A summary of the proceedings will be available on the Academy’s website at http://www.science.org.au/natcoms/index.htm.
MASTERING THE DATA EXPLOSION IN THE EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Mastering the data explosion in the Earth and environmental sciences, an Elizabeth and Frederick White Conference will be held at the Shine Dome, Canberra, on 19–21 April.
The aim of the conference is to increase awareness amongst Earth scientists of what tools and technologies are available today and what will be available tomorrow. It will also inform physicists, mathematicians, statisticians and computer scientists of the range of important 'data-explosion' problems apparent today in the Earth and environmental sciences.
Further information is available at http://rses.anu.edu.au/cadi/Whiteconference.
THREATS TO TOMORROW'S WORLD
Lord Robert May of Oxford delivered his final Anniversary Address as President of the Royal Society on 30 November 2005.
In the address, entitled Threats to tomorrow’s world, he discussed climate change, new and re-emerging diseases, and diminishing biological diversity. He also emphasised the internationalisation of scientific institutions, particularly in response to the aforementioned threats.
The address is available on the Royal Society’s website:
Transcript http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/publication.asp?id=2181
Audio http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/page.asp?id=3966
Video http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/page.asp?tip=1&id=3861
PRIME MINISTER’S PRIZE FOR SCIENCE 2006
The Department of Education, Science and Training is calling for nominations for the Prime Minister’s Science Prize. Since 2000, when it replaced the Australia Prize, the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science has been awarded or co-awarded to seven scientists, all of whom are Fellows of the Academy.
The prize is awarded for an outstanding specific achievement or series of related achievements in any area of science advancing human welfare or benefiting society. It is awarded to an individual or jointly to up to four individuals, and comprises a gold medallion, lapel pin, and a grant of $300,000.
Nominations are also called for the Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year and the Science Minister's Prize for Life Scientist of the Year. Both are awarded to scientists who are thirty-five years of age or younger, and are designed to honour excellent research and to highlight early-stage career scientists who are producing world-class research.
The closing date is Friday 19 May 2006, 5.00 pm AEST. Information and nomination forms are available at https://sciencegrants.dest.gov.au/SciencePrize.
MORAN AWARD FOR HISTORY OF SCIENCE RESEARCH
Mrs Jean Moran has very generously given additional money to be used for the Moran Award for History of Science Research. This has enabled the Library to provide an annual award of $2,500.
This award is aimed at postgraduate students and other independent researchers with expertise in the history of Australian science. Its purpose is to encourage use of the Basser Library collections (http://www.science.org.au/academy/basser/bass-award.htm) especially by younger researchers, and it can be used towards travel and accommodation costs. Please bring this opportunity to the attention of any historians of Australian science.
Applications for the 2006–07 award close on 30 April 2006.
SCIENCE AT THE SHINE DOME
One of the most important events on the Academy’s calendar, Science at the Shine Dome (which incorporates our Annual General Meeting), will run from 3-5 May this year. One of the highlights of the three-day event will be on Wednesday 3 May when our new Fellows present 10-minute talks on their research. This year’s symposium, ‘Science on the way to the hydrogen economy’ will be held on Friday 5 May. Expert Australian and international researchers will outline recent progress in the science that must be addressed to achieve a hydrogen economy.
Programs and registration details for Science at the Shine Dome are being added to the Academy’s website as they are finalised (http://www.science.org.au/sats2006/index.htm).
REVIEW OF PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
The Productivity Commission will conduct a review of public support for science and innovation. The scope of the Review was discussed at a meeting with the Commissioner Mike Woods and his colleague Ralph Lattermore. The Academy welcomes the review as an opportunity to communicate the importance of research and innovation policy frameworks.
The Review will consider the economic, environmental and broader social impacts of public support for science and innovation in Australia, and identify any impediments to the effective functioning of Australia’s innovation system.
NEW SCIENCE POLICY ANALYST FOR THE ACADEMY
Dr Sophia Dimitriadis has joined the Academy as the new science policy analyst. Sophia completed a PhD on freshwater and estuarine sediments at the Australian National University in 2003. She has spent the last year at the Parliamentary Library where she was the first scientist to be awarded an Australian Parliamentary Fellowship. Her project examined new water-related technologies, and options for water recycling and reuse in Australia. Sophia can be contacted on 02 6201 9409 or sophia.dimitriadis@science.org.au.
DIARY DATES 2006
10 April. Closing date for nominations for the 2006 Victoria Prize (http://www.business.vic.gov.au/BUSVIC.327912/STANDARD/1552717285/PC_60155.html).
19–21 April. Mastering the Data Explosion in the Earth and Environmental Sciences (Elizabeth and Frederick White Conference), Shine Dome, Canberra (http://rses.anu.edu.au/cadi/Whiteconference) (see item above).
26 April. Clunies Ross Award Dinner, Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. For more information contact Cherry Servis by email at cherrys@atse.org.au or by phoning (03) 9340 1209.
26–28 April. 10th International Symposium on Biochromatography, University of Science and Technology, Lille, France (http://www.univ-lille1.fr/SBCN2006).
30 April. Closing date for Moran Award for History of Science Research (see item above).
3–5 May. Science at the Shine Dome, incorporating the Annual General Meeting (see item above).
5 May. Closing date for nominations for the 2006 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes (http://www.amonline.net.au/eureka).
10 May. Nominations close for the Oxford Nuffield Medical Fellowship 2006-2007 (http://www.science.org.au/awards/nuffield.htm).
19 May. Closing date for nominations for the 2006 Prime Minster’s Prize for Science (see item above).
25–26 May. Urbanism, Environment and Health (2006 Fenner Conference on the Environment), Shine Dome, Canberra. Organised by the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, and co-sponsored by the Academy (http://nceph.anu.edu.au/Fenner2006/index.htm).
20–21 June. From stars to brains: pathways to consciousness in the natural world, Shine Dome, Canberra. Organised by Manning Clark House.
2–6 July. Australian Earth Sciences Convention 2006, Melbourne. Organised by the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists and the Geological Society of Australia.
3–7 July. 2006 International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Brisbane. Hosted by the Australian Research Council Nanotechnology Network (http://www.ausnano.net/iconn2006).
12–14 July. Antarctica in the Earth System, Hobart. The 2nd Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Open Science Conference
COUNCIL MEMBERS (www.science.org.au/fellows/council/)
President, Jim Peacock
phone (02) 6246 5250, fax (02) 6246 4866, jim.peacock@csiro.au
Secretary (Physical Sciences), Robert Frater
phone (02) 9886 5628, rfrater@resmed.com.au
Secretary (Biological Sciences), John Shine
phone (02) 9295 8120, j.shine@garvan.org.au
Secretary (Science Policy), Philip Kuchel
phone (02) 9351 3709, p.kuchel@mmb.usyd.edu.au
Secretary (Education and Public Awareness), John McKenzie
phone (03) 8344 6407, dean@science.unimelb.edu.au
Foreign Secretary, Bruce McKellar
phone (03) 8344 5122, b.mckellar@physics.unimelb.edu.au
Treasurer, Phil McFadden
phone (02) 6249 9612, mcfadden@grapevine.com.au
