PRESIDENT'S NOTES

19 October 2007

I recently gave the Academy’s annual address to the National Press Club in Canberra with the title Roadmap for a prosperous Australia in a competitive world. In the talk I stated that the ongoing pursuit of knowledge, supported by a robust science policy, is critical for the socioeconomic and environmental well-being of Australian society. Australia needs to maintain a long-term public commitment to the funding of science education at every level and to high-quality basic research in universities. It is imperative that we support Australia’s talented early-career researchers to fuel tomorrow's strategic and applied research.

Many of the points discussed in the talk were from the Academy’s document Research and innovation in Australia: a policy statement. It restates the Academy's view on the importance of scientific research and its applications, particularly for Australia in an increasingly competitive world. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to obtain and read a copy of the Academy’s policy document. Copies of the document and the speech notes are available from www.science.org.au/reports/aas-policy-2007.pdf and www.science.org.au/events/npc2007.htm

Best wishes,

Kurt Lambeck

ACADEMY NEWSLETTER
The Academy's latest Newsletter (September 2007) is available at www.science.org.au/newsletters/index.htm

SHINE DOME OPEN DAY
On Thursday 11 October, over 250 visitors took advantage of warm spring weather to visit the Shine Dome. It was a rare chance for those who have marvelled at the architecture, wondered what’s inside and what the Academy does, to walk through and discover it for themselves. Original footage of the Dome’s construction was shown and guided tours highlighted the features of the building, discussing people and stories related to the Academy and its Dome. A number of dignitaries from embassies and high commissions who visited were accompanied on their tour by Professors Kurt Lambeck, Jenny Graves and Mike Dopita.

The Shine Dome embodies the innovation, persistence and strength of Australian science, and serves as a time capsule for the achievements of our scientists. The significance of the Dome has been recognised by heritage listing on the Register of the National Estate.

AUSTRALIAN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENCE
The Australian Foundation for Science, chaired by Mr John Ralph AC FAA FAIM FAusIMM FCPA FTSE, met in the Shine Dome on Thursday 4 October. Fellows and friends of the Academy gather on an annual basis to hear progress reports on the Foundation’s activities and to suggest new initiatives. Dr Iris Li presented recent developments on Nova: Science in the news (www.science.org.au/nova). Ms Margarett Noakes gave an overview of the implementation of the PrimaryConnections Professional Learning Programme and curriculum resources, and the development of the Indigenous Perspective embedded in the units (www.science.org.au/primaryconnections). Ms Kerry-Ann O’Grady, the inaugural winner of the Douglas and Lola Douglas Scholarship in Medical Science, spoke about her PhD research into the Occurrence of hospitalised, radiologically-diagnosed pneumonia in young aboriginal children in the Northern Territory.

INTERACADEMY PANEL (IAP)
The Academy hosted a meeting of the executive committee of the InterAcademy Panel (IAP) from 25 to 27 September at the Shine Dome. Presidents and representatives from more than a dozen world academies attended the meeting to discuss programmes and initiatives undertaken by IAP. Distinguished guests joined Professor Lambeck for lunch at the National Press Club for the address. They included the Co-Chairs, Professor Howard Alper, Foreign Secretary of the Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada; and Professor Chen Zhu, Minister of Health for the Peoples Republic of China, and until recently Vice-President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. For more information about the IAP go to www.interacademies.net/CMS/About.aspx

NATIONAL COMMITTEES FOR SCIENCE

The new National Committee for Brain and Mind is now established. The members of the committee are Professors Max Coltheart FAA (Chair), David Badcock, Stephen Crain, Jason Mattingley, Patrick McGorry, Caroline Rae, Lesley Rogers FAA and Kim Sterelny.

Nicola Roxon MP, the Shadow Minister for Health, and Senator Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Research attended a lunch meeting of the National Committee for Medicine on 13 September at Ian Potter House. Professors Angela Dulhunty, Graham Farquhar FAA, Jenny Graves FAA and Trevor Lamb FAA also attended.

The details for upcoming meetings of National Committees are:

• Radio science, Tuesday 30 October, Ian Potter House

• Physics, Wednesday 31 October, Ian Potter House

• Earth system science, Monday 12 November, Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre, Melbourne.

RESEARCH QUALITY FRAMEWORK JOURNAL RANKING EXERCISE
As part of the Research Quality Framework (RQF) process being undertaken by the Australian Government Department of Education Science and Training, the National Committees are providing input into the ranking of research outlets in scientific disciplines. Each National Committee has ranked journals in discipline lists relevant to its expertise. The draft lists will be publicised and distributed for sector feedback during November, and the final lists will be used as part of the metrics for the RQF assessment process. An article will be available from www.science.org.au/natcoms

PrimaryConnections
The PrimaryConnections team has just released its eighth published curriculum unit. It’s electrifying is a unit written for Stage 3 students and belongs to the Energy and Change strand of learning. There are now two curriculum units available for each stage, and a total suite of 19 will be available by December 2008.

A ‘pilot’ unit (Plants in action) with the embedded Draft Indigenous Perspective has been developed and is currently being trialled in several Western Australian schools. Professional learning and school visits were conducted to introduce the PrimaryConnections programme and the unit. Teachers involved in the trial will provide feedback and work samples which will be analysed and reviewed before the unit is published. It is anticipated that over time all PrimaryConnections units will be revised to include an Indigenous Perspective.

SCIENCE BY DOING
The Science by Doing pilot project has progressed with appointment of most of the team. The team of four project officers and an executive assistant is led by Managing Director Associate Professor Richard John from Griffith University in Brisbane.

The Steering Committee, chaired by Professor Julie Campbell FAA, includes representatives from the Australian Academy of Science, Australian Government Department of Education Science and Training, Australian Science Teachers Association and CSIRO. A Reference Group has also been established to guide the pilot project. The Steering Committee and the Reference Group have exceptionally strong representation in Professors Jim Davies, Denis Goodrum and Russell Tytler.

SCIENTISTS IN SCHOOLS
The Scientists in Schools initiative was announced by the Hon Julie Bishop, Minister for Education Science and Training in July. The programme promotes science education in primary and secondary schools by establishing sustained and ongoing relationships between school communities and scientists. The aim is for 500 scientists to be placed in at least 500 schools across Australia during 2007. To register or obtain further information go to www.scientistsinschools.edu.au or call 02 6276 6397 or 02 6276 6589.

FENNER CONFERENCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
A Fenner Conference on the Environment, Wildlife population dynamics and management,
will be held on 2–5 December at the Academy's Shine Dome to honour Dr Graeme Caughley's contribution to wildlife research and management. More information is available from www.science.org.au/events/fenner-dec-2007.htm and www.awms.org.nz/conference2007.html

AUSTRALIAN–EUROPEAN 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 2007–08 that foster scientific collaborations with colleagues participating in COST actions in Europe. Applications are funded in chronological order of receipt until funds have been committed. Further information is available from www.science.org.au/internat/cost.htm

2008 STUDENT ESSAY PRIZE FOR HISTORY OF SCIENCE
Submissions are being invited for the National Museum of Australia Student Prize for the History of Australian Science 2008. The National Museum of Australia and the Academy’s National Committee for History and Philosophy of Science jointly award an annual prize for the best student essay in the history of Australian science or Australian environmental history. The prize is a certificate and $2500. The closing date for submissions is 28 February 2008. For further information see http://www.science.org.au/natcoms/hps-award-has.htm

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS – BIOSECURITY CHALLENGES FOR AUSTRALIA AND ITS REGION
The National Centre for Biosecurity at Australian National University is holding a symposium on 11–12 February 2008 at the John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra. The symposium seeks to understand the nature of infectious disease threats to human health, why and how they threaten security, and the connections between them. The Centre is inviting proposals for presentations which develop the theme Biosecurity challenges for Australia and its region. For details see http://biosecurity.anu.edu.au/pdf/Call%20for%20Abstracts.pdf or contact Patricia Gray on 02 6125 9009 or biosecurity@anu.edu.au

2007 CRAWFORD FUND FELLOWSHIP
The Crawford Fund Fellowship offers an opportunity for further training of an agricultural scientist, below the age of 35, from a selected group of developing countries whose work has shown potential. The training takes place at an Australian institution and emphasises the application of knowledge to increase agricultural production in the Fellow’s home country. The closing date for nominations is Monday 5 November 2007. Further information is available from www.crawfordfund.org or contact Toni Langley on 03 9347 8427 or tlangley@mira.net

DIARY DATES 2007–2008

18–19 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

21–23 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

7 November. Public lecture by Corresponding Member Professor Gunnar Oquist, Linnaeus as a role model for today’s science. Shine Dome, Canberra, 6–7pm, refreshments from 5.30pm. Bookings recommended. Contact Chanel Blackaby on 02 6201 9401 or chanel.blackaby@science.org.au

18 November. Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering’s Annual General Meeting, announcement of new Fellows and Annual Oration. Details available from www.atse.org.au/index.php?sectionid=1029 or contact Cathryn Little at cathrynl@atse.org.au or 03 9340 1209

19–20 November. The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering’s 2007 Symposium, Resources boom: opportunities and consequences. Duxton Hotel, Perth.

11 December. Public lecture by Professor Sir Michael Brady, Medical and molecular image analysis. Shine Dome, Canberra, 6–7pm, refreshments from 5.30pm. Bookings recommended. Contact Chanel Blackaby on (02) 6201 9401 or chanel.blackaby@science.org.au

2–6 February. The first joint meeting of the Biophysical Society and the International Union of Pure and Applied Biophysics. Long Beach, California, USA. Details available from Yvonne Butters at ybutters@biophysics.org

11–12 February. Symposium Biosecurity challenges for Australia and its region. John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra. For details see http://biosecurity.anu.edu.au/pdf/Call%20for%20Abstracts.pdf or contact Patricia Gray on 02 6125 9009 or biosecurity@anu.edu.au

21–22 February. Australian Frontiers of Science. The Shine Dome, Canberra.
More information is available from www.science.org.au/events/frontiers2008/index.htm or contact Fenja Theden at fenja.theden@science.org.au

9–11 April. Vaccine and Immunotherapy Technologies, The Sir Mark Oliphant Conferences, International Frontiers of Science and Technology. The Shine Dome, Canberra. A draft programme is available from www.oliphant.org.au/april2008.html

Academy delegates will be attending the following international meetings:

International Union for Pure and Applied Biophysics General Assembly, 2–6 February 2008, Long Beach, California.

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