PRESIDENT'S NOTES
17 July 2007
Dear Colleagues,
Last week, the Academy welcomed the announcement by the Hon Julie Bishop MP of the Science by Doing: Secondary Connections pilot program, funded by the Commonwealth Government Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). Three stimulus-rich, inquiry-based science units for early secondary school will be developed during the one-year pilot program, along with professional learning for teachers who wish to trial the units in their classrooms. The units will be web-based so that resources such as simulations, animations, movie clips and podcasts can be used. Teachers will be trained in how to access and use the units in January 2008. A virtual professional learning community will provide support throughout the trial process.
Many of you will be aware that the ABC showed the controversial program ‘The great global warming swindle’ on 12 July. The evening’s viewing also featured an interview with writer and director Martin Durkin, followed by an expert panel discussion. As I said in the Academy’s media alert, there is too much at stake when it comes to the potential impact of climate change to be side-tracked by discredited theories and out-of-date data. The Academy’s National Committee for Earth System Science prepared a series of comments against claims made in the program. They are available on the web site at: www.science.org.au/natcoms\nc-ess\nc-ess-12july07.htm
On a lighter note, I was delighted to attend a celebratory gathering for the issue by Australia Post of the Landmarks: Australian Modernist Architecture series of stamps. The Shine Dome is one of four iconic buildings of the mid 20th century selected for their architectural excellence and innovative design to appear on the stamps. For me, the Dome is a landmark for the Academy, and for excellence in science, that has served us well and will continue to do so for many years to come.
Best wishes
Kurt Lambeck
ACADEMY NEWSLETTER
The Academy's latest Newsletter (June 2007) is available at: www.science.org.au/newsletters/index.htm
2007 SATS SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDINGS
The proceedings of the 2007 SATS annual symposium, Development and evolution of higher cognition in animals, are available at: www.science.org.au/sats2007/symposium.htm
2008 SCIENCE AT THE SHINE DOME (SATS)
The SATS annual symposium for 2008 will be on the topic of Dangerous climate change: is it inevitable? Fellows professor Graham Farquhar, Dr Trevor McDougall and Dr Graeme Pearman are members of the organising committee and Professor Mike Dopita is the convenor.
2009 SATS
The topic for the 2009 SATS annual symposium will be on the theme of evolution, marking both the bicentennial of the birth of Charles Darwin (12 February 1809) and the United Nations International Year of Astronomy.
2007 FENNER CONFERENCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
The proceedings of the 2007 Fenner Conference on the Environment, Water, population and Australia’s urban future, are available at: www.science.org.au/events/fenner2007/index.htm Printed copies of the conference proceedings are also available from Sophia Lindeyer at: sophia.lindeyer@science.org.au
PrimaryConnections
PrimaryConnections has been short listed for the second consecutive year in the Australian Publishers Association Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing, after winning first place in its section in 2006. The second set of published units has been nominated in the Primary Teaching and Learning category. Winners will be announced on 26 July.
Based on the demand for places at the two-day PrimaryConnections pre-service teacher educators workshop held in February 2007, DEST requested that a repeat of this workshop be conducted on 2021 July. More than sixty pre-service educators (lecturers in university faculties of education) will attend the workshop, taking the total number trained to more than 120.
Demand for Academy-led professional learning activities is at an all-time high. Since May, more than 200 teachers have been trained to act as Curriculum Leaders within their schools, and another 116 have completed Professional Learning Facilitator training. These facilitators are now equipped to conduct professional learning workshops within the wider education community.
Four new units were trialed in schools during Semester 1, and another two are due for trial in Semester 2. These units will be published in 2008.
INTERACADEMY PANEL (IAP)
The Academy will host a meeting of the executive committee of the InterAcademy Panel (IAP) 2527 September at the Shine Dome. It is expected that presidents and representatives from more than a dozen world academies will attend the meeting that will discuss programs and initiatives undertaken by IAP. For more information go to: www.interacademies.net/CMS/About.aspx
AWARD FOR RESEARCH ON THE CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED AUSTRALIAN VERTEBRATE SPECIES
The Academy is calling for applications for its award for research on the conservation of endangered Australian vertebrate species. The closing date is 30 September. Further information: www.science.org.au/awards/conservation.htm
TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIPS AND RESEARCH SUPPORT
The Academy is calling for nominations for Travelling Fellowships and for expressions of intent for the Boden and Fenner research conferences. The closing date is 30 September. Further information: www.science.org.au/awards/research.htm
ACADEMY GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
The Academy invites applications from Australian researchers for grants for short-term scientific visits to Europe, North America and Asia in FY 200809, to foster scientific collaborations. Closing date for applications is 20 July. Further information: www.science.org.au/internat/programs.htm
AUSTRALIANEUROPEAN COOPERATION IN S&T RESEARCH (COST)
The Academy invites applications from Australian researchers to be involved in EU COST Actions. Grants provided are to attend discussions and meetings in FY 200708 that foster scientific collaborations with colleagues participating in COST actions. Applications are funded in chronological order of receipt until funds have been committed. Further information: www.science.org.au/internat/cost.htm
AUSTRALIAINDIA STRATEGIC RESEARCH FUND (AISRF)
DEST advises that round two of the AustraliaIndia Science and Technology Fund and the IndoAustralian Biotechnology Fund will open on 6 August and will close 5pm (AEST) on 28 September. The AISRF provides funding for Australian researchers to participate in strategically focused, leading edge, scientific research and technology collaborations with Indian counterparts. Applications will be assessed on a competitive basis against specific criteria. Applicants should refer to the AISRF Guidelines (August 2007). Information is available at: www.dest.gov.au/science/aisrf
ALL ENQUIRIES TO: The International Science Branch at DEST by email aisrf@dest.gov.au
or by phone (02) 6240 9387
THE INAUGURAL RUTH STEPHENS GANI MEDAL IN HUMAN GENETICS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Nominations are invited from early-career researchers for outstanding research in human genetics, including clinical, molecular, population and epidemiological genetics, and cytogenetics. The award honours the contribution to science in human cytogenetics by the late Ruth Stephens Gani. Nominations close 30 August 2007. Information and nomination forms: www.science.org.au/awards/gani.htm
AWARDS FOR SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Nominations are invited from early-career and career researchers for awards for outstanding research in the natural sciences. Nominations close 30 August. Information and nomination forms: www.science.org.au/awards/index.htm
HOWARD WORNER MEMORIAL TRUST
The University of Wollongong is developing the Howard Worner Memorial Trust to provide a scholarship to a country student to undertake a course in science or engineering. If you would like to contribute to the trust fund, contact Monique Harper-Richardson on (02) 4221 5759.
AUSTRALIAN PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR GEODESY AND GEOPHYSICS (IUGG)
At the recent General Assembly of the IUGG, the council elected Australian scientist Dr Tom Beer as president of IUGG for a four year term, beginning 14 July. Dr Beer is Stream Leader of Alternative Transport Fuels, CSIRO Energy Transformed Flagship at CSIRO Marine and Astmospheric Research. The IUGG council also voted to hold the 2011 general assembly in Melbourne.
FOR THE FELLOWSHIP
Ordinary election to the fellowship
Fellows are advised that if they wish to nominate a candidate for Ordinary Election in 2008, the Certificate of a Candidate for Election and all supporting documents must be received in the Secretariat by 31 July.
Corresponding member election
Fellows are advised that the closing date for receipt of proposals to Council of a candidate for election as a Corresponding Member is 31 August.
Special election to the fellowship
Fellows are advised that the closing date for receipt of proposals to Council of a candidate for Special Election is 31 August.
Updates for continuing candidates
Fellows are requested to submit updated documentation for continuing candidates for Ordinary Election by 31 July to ensure inclusion with the initial material circulated to Sectional Committees. However, updates may be submitted at any time throughout the year.
Submitting supporting documentation
Supporting documentation should be supplied as electronic files* (.pdf or .doc) via email to caroline.giddings@science.org.au with the exception of hard copies of the 20 most significant publications.
*In the event of difficulties with the electronic format hard copies will be accepted.
DIARY DATES 2007
1719 July. The Gas-to-liquids/Coal-to-liquids International Advanced Technology symposium, The synfuel alternative. Shine Dome, Canberra.
20 July. Meeting of the National Committee for Earth Sciences, Ian Potter House, Canberra
31 July. Nominations for the 2008 ATSE Clunies Ross Awards close. Information and nomination forms: www.cluniesross.org.au/index.php?sectionid=3
510 August. The 9th International Workshop on the Interrelationship between Plasma Experiments in Laboratory and Space 2007. Palm Cove Resort, Cairns, Australia. For more information go to: http://prl.anu.edu.au/SP3/ipels2007
7 August. Public lecture by Dr Mike Nunn, From mad cows to disappearing bees: Safeguarding Australia from emerging diseases of animals, the first lecture in the Academy’s Safeguarding Australia lecture series. Shine Dome, Canberra, 67pm, refreshments from 5.30pm. Bookings are recommended.
13 August. The Australian National Commission for UNESCO is calling for Australian applicants for the 2008 UNESCO-L’Oreal Co-Sponsored Fellowships for Young Women in Life Sciences.
August 1415. A workshop Vegetation Dynamics and Climate Change for research beyond the Blueprint for Australian Terrestrial Carbon Cycle Research, Shine Dome, Canberra.
23 August. Public lecture by Professor Mike Dopita, The (not so secret) lives of galaxies. Shine Dome, Canberra, 67pm, refreshments from 5.30pm. Bookings are recommended.
2731 August. The 6th International Conference of Biological Physics. Radisson Victoria Plaza Hotel, Montevideo, Uraguay. For information go to: www.icbp2007.org.uy/
30 August. Closing dates for honorific awards. See article above.
4 September. Public lecture in the Safeguarding Australia series by Professor John McKenzie, Emerging viral diseases: what are the threats and how should we respond? Shine Dome, Canberra, 67pm, refreshments from 5.30pm. Bookings are recommended.
13 September. Meeting of the National Committee for Medicine. Shine Dome, Canberra.
2427 September. The 7th Australian Space Science Conference. Sydney Masonic Centre. For information go to: www.nssa.com.au/ocs/index.php?cf=8
2528 September. The 51st Annual Meeting of the Australian Mathematical Society. La Trobe University. For information go to: www.latrobe.edu.au/mathstats/maths/conferences/AMS2007/
30 September. Closing date for traveling fellowships and research support. See article above.
30 September. Closing date for the Royal Society of New South Wales Walter Burfitt Prize 2007. For information: http://nsw.royalsoc.org.au/awards/walter.html or email info@nsw.royalsoc.org.au
30 September. Closing date for the Royal Society of New South Wales Edgeworth David Medal 2007. For information: http://nsw.royalsoc.org.au/awards/edgeworth.html or email info@nsw.royalsoc.org.au
30 September. Closing date for the Royal Society of New South Wales Clarke Medal 2007. For information: http://nsw.royalsoc.org.au/awards/clarke_medal.html or email info@nsw.royalsoc.org.au
25 October. Greenhouse 2007. The Hilton, Sydney. For more information go to: www.greenhouse2007.com/index.htm
1819 October. The ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies will be holding a two day public forum Coral reef futures. Shine Dome, Canberra. For information go to: www.coralcoe.org.au/events.html
2123 October. The power of one idea: The golden anniversary of Burnet’s clonal selection theory conference. The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne. Email: enquiries-burnet2007@wehi.edu.au
30 October. High Flyers Think Tank Extreme Natural Hazards. Earth sciences building, University of Melbourne. For information contact Sophia Lindeyer at: sophia.lindeyer@science.org.au
1920 November. The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering’s 2007 Symposium, Resources boom: opportunities and consequences. Duxton Hotel, Perth.
Academy delegates will be attending the following international meetings in 2007:
1519 July. The 11th International Congress of Toxicology, Toxicology: Discovery serving society. Montreal, Canada. For information go to: www.ict2007.org/
28 July3 August. The XXVII International Union for Quaternary Research Congress. Cairns, Australia.
412 August. The 44th International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) General Assembly, concurrently with the 41st IUPAC Congress. For information go to: www.iupac.org/symposia/conferences/ga07/index.html
915 August. The 13th International Congress of Logic Methodology and Philosophy of Science, Beijing, China. For information go to: www.clmps2007.org/
2125 August. The 13th International Congress of Immunology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
COUNCIL MEMBERS (www.science.org.au/academy/council/officers.htm)
President, Kurt Lambeck
phone (02) 6125 5445, fax (02) 6125 5443, kurt.lambeck@anu.edu.au
Secretary (Physical Sciences), Robert Frater
phone (02) 8884 2338, rfrater@resmed.com.au
Secretary (Biological Sciences), Graham Farquhar
phone (02) 6125 3743, graham.farquhar@anu.edu.au
Secretary (Science Policy), Philip Kuchel
phone (02) 9351 3709, p.kuchel@mmb.usyd.edu.au
Secretary (Education and Public Awareness), Julie Campbell
phone (07) 3365 4658, julie.campbell@uq.edu.au
Foreign Secretary, Jenny Graves
phone (02) 6125 2492, jenny.graves@anu.edu.au
Treasurer, Phil McFadden
phone (02) 6249 9612, phil.mcfadden@ga.gov.au
Acting Treasurer, Michael Dopita
phone (02) 02 6125 0212, michael.dopita@anu.edu.au
