PRESIDENT'S NOTES
17 July 2008
Dear Colleagues,
I am delighted to report that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, has decided to continue funding the Academy science education programs 'PrimaryConnections: Linking science with literacy' and Science by Doing. Funding for the programs was to end this year, but support will now continue to the end of 2010 for both. Further funding of up to $4.4 million is available for the continuation and expansion of PrimaryConnections over the next two years and up to $2 million for the next stage of Science by Doing. More information about the Science by Doing project is available from www.sciencebydoing.edu.au or by contacting Professor Richard John at richard.john@science.org.au More information about PrimaryConnections is available from www.science.org.au/primaryconnections
The funding decision coincided with a National Press Club address by Professor Julie Campbell, the Academy's Secretary for Science Education and Public Awareness on 2 July. Julie's address focused on inquiry-based science education in Australia in the context of the government's initiative to develop a national curriculum. She discussed the importance of science for Australia's future and explained the role that PrimaryConnections and Science by Doing programs could play in developing quality national curricula. The full transcript of the address is available from www.science.org.au/events/npc2008
The Academy continues to contribute actively to science and technology policy initiatives by the government. Submissions and representations have been provided, or are in preparation, in relation to several inquiries and reviews (see article below).
If you have not already done so, I encourage you to nominate outstanding researchers particularly early-career researchers for Academy awards for scientific excellence. Further information about awards is below.
With best wishes,
Kurt Lambeck
GOVERNMENT AND RELATED REVIEWS AND SUBMISSIONS
The government has initiated a series of wide ranging reviews relating to science and research that are running concurrently, many with tight timelines for response. A number of discussion papers (so called green papers) and their subsequent reports (or white papers) will come out in the next three to six months. The Academy has provided submissions to the following inquiries or reviews since April:
- A review of Questacon the National Science and Technology Centre
- Inquiry into research training and research workforce issues in Australian universities
- Review of the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy Roadmap
- Future Fellowships Scheme
- Excellence in Research for Australia (which replaces Research Quality Framework)
The Academy intends to provide input into other current inquires, including the Cutler Review of the National Innovation System, the Garnaut Climate Change review and the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme green paper. If you would like to provide input to submissions by the Academy, please contact the Chief Executive Dr Sue Meek on 02 6201 9450 or sue.meek@science.org.au Previous submissions by the Academy are available from www.science.org.au/reports
FOR THE FELLOWSHIP
Ordinary election to the fellowship
Fellows are advised that if they wish to nominate a candidate for Ordinary Election in 2009, 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.
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.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
PMSEIC report and presidency of the Federation of Asian Scientific Academies and Societies
Australia needs to identify opportunities to increase its level of global engagement in science and technology in the national interest. One way to do this is to build international linkages through global and regional collaboration. This was a strong message in the report Australia's Science and Technology Priorities for Global Engagement, presented at the sixteenth meeting of the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council by a working group chaired by Professor Kurt Lambeck. A copy of the report is available from www.dest.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/DAFC19EC-E287-4470-ACB0-1843A78C28AF/15162/ReportGlobalEngagement.pdf
To this end, the Academy continually strives to be involved and have a presence in bilateral and multilateral activities. Starting in January 2009, the President of the Academy will take on the presidency of the Federation of Asian Scientific Academies and Societies (FASAS) and the FASAS secretariat will be hosted by the Academy for a period of four years. FASAS is a non-government scientific organisation of the Asian region established to promote greater awareness of the role of science and technology in nation building and regional technology. Issues of particular interest to FASAS include science education, where the Academy has played an active role.
US summer program
From 16 to 18 June, the Academy was pleased to host an orientation session for a group of twenty US graduate students selected by the US National Science Foundation to participate in a summer program with Australia. This activity has been an annual event for the past five years and enables the students to undertake research projects for a period of two months with Australian host institutions.
This has been a very successful program with a number of students returning to Australia to conduct postdoctoral research. The program is managed by the Academy and is funded by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR), through the International Science Linkages Programme and the National Science Foundation. For further information go to www.science.org.au/internat/eapsi
Extra DIISR funding
DIISR has provided a one-year extension to the Academy's contracts that funds exchange programs to Europe, North America and Asia. This program assists Australian researchers to access the best science internationally. For further information about the programs go to www.science.org.au/internat/programs
DIISR has also contracted the Academy to administer funds for Australian research organisations participating as partners with European research organisations under the International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES), a program supported by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme. For further information go to ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=9650&a=50880&l=en&newsdep=9650
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 the 200809 financial year 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 is available from www.science.org.au/internat/cost.htm
NATIONAL COMMITTEES FOR SCIENCE
National committee meetings
The National Committee for Space Science will hold a decadal plan meeting at Ian Potter House on Wednesday 30 July.
The National Committee for Medicine will meet with Professor Warwick Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of the National Health and Medical Research Council, on Thursday 31 July at the John Curtin School of Medical Research.
Reports from national committees
A report on the National Forum on Education in Biomedical Sciences, held at Monash University on 11 December 2007 can be found at www.science.org.au/natcoms/biomedical-nat-forum-edu.pdf
This forum was sponsored by the Academy.
International union news
The International Council for Science has announced the appointment of Professor Deliang Chen as new Executive Director. He will take up the appointment on 1 February 2009, following the retirement of Professor Thomas Rosswall.
Australian Professor Allan Chivas is the new president of the International Union for Quaternary Research. The appointment is for the current quadrennium, concluding in 2011. Professor Chivas is a member of the National Committees for Quaternary Research and Earth Sciences.
2008 SATS SYMPOSIUM AUDIO FILES
The audio files of the 2008 Science at the Shine Dome annual symposium, Dangerous climate change: Is it inevitable? are available from www.science.org.au/sats2008/symposium
2009 SATS
The topic for the 2009 SATS annual symposium will be on the theme of evolution of the Universe, planets and life. It marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the origin of species, the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo Galilei and the United Nations International Year of Astronomy. Professor Rick Shine is the convenor and Professors Ron Ekers, Jenny Graves and Hugh O'Neill are members of the organising committee.
PROCEEDINGS AVAILABLE ONLINE
Proceedings from the February 2008 workshop Enhancing the quality of the experience of postdocs and early-career researchers and the symposium Australian Frontiers of Science are now available online from www.science.org.au/events/proceedings
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 is available from www.science.org.au/awards/conservation
TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIPS AND RESEARCH SUPPORT
The Academy is calling for nominations for the Selby Fellowship and for expressions of intent for the Boden, White and Fenner research conferences. The closing date is 30 September. Further information is available from www.science.org.au/awards/research
AWARDS FOR SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE OPEN
Nominations are invited from early-career and career researchers for the following awards:
Early-career awards
- Anton Hales Medal (Earth sciences)
- Dorothy Hill Award (Earth sciences, reef sciences, marine geology and taxonomy)
- Fenner Medal (biology excluding biomedical sciences)
- Gottschalk Medal (medical sciences)
- Le Fèvre Memorial Prize (chemistry)
- Moran Medal (statistical science)
- Pawsey Medal (physics)
- Ruth Stephens Gani Medal (human genetics including clinical, molecular, population and epidemiological genetics and cytogenetics)
Career awards
- David Craig Medal (chemistry)
- Haddon Forrester King Medal, sponsored by Rio Tinto (mineral exploration)
- Hannan Medal (mathematical sciences)
- Jaeger Medal (Australian Earth sciences)
- Lyle Medal (mathematics or physics)
- Macfarlane Burnet Medal and Lecture (biological sciences nominations from Academy Fellows only)
Nominations close 30 August. Information and nomination forms are available from www.science.org.au/awards
2009 ATSE CRAWFORD FUND FELLOWSHIP
Nominations are now invited for the ATSE Crawford Fund Fellowship for 2009. The aim of the Fellowship is to provide further training of an agricultural scientist from a selected group of developing countries whose work has shown significant potential. The training will take place at an Australian agricultural institution and will emphasise the application of knowledge to increased agricultural production in the Fellow's home country.
The Fellowship will be offered annually to an agricultural scientist below the age of 35 years who is a citizen of, or who is working in, one the following countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, East Timor, Fiji, Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Is, Tonga, Tuvalu and Kirabati, Vanuatu, Viet-Nam.
The closing date for nominations is 1 September. Nomination forms can be obtained from tlangley@mira.net or from www.crawfordfund.org
ACADEMY NEWSLETTER
The June issue of the Academy newsletter is available online at www.science.org.au/newsletters
DIARY DATES 2008
2024 July. The Geological Society of Australia and the Australian Institute of Geoscientists are hosting the Australian Earth Sciences Convention 2008. Perth Convention Exhibition Centre. Program and further information is available from www.iceaustralia.com/aesc2008/
14 August. The National Academies Forum is holding a public lecture by Professor Alan Hughes, Innovation systems, innovation policy and the future of university-industry knowledge exchange, as part of the Cutler Review of the National Innovation System. John Curtin School of Medical Research, Mills Road, Australian National University. Further information is available from www.naf.org.au/14august08 or from Irina Kotycheva on 02 6249 1788 or irina.kotycheva@anu.edu.au
1722 August. The 12th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology. Cairns, Australia. The program is available from www.kenes.com/isme12/scientific.asp or email Dr Sandra Hall, International Society for Microbial Ecology Event Coordinator, at s.hall@awmc.uq.edu.au
2022 August. Australian geothermal energy conference. Sir Mark Oliphant Conferences: International Frontiers of Science and Technology. Rydges Hotel, Melbourne. For further information go to www.impactenviro.com.au/ausgeothermal/default.asp
2430 August. The 22nd International Congress of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics will be hosted by the Adelaide Theoretical and Applied Mechanics community. Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide. A list of important dates is available from http://ictam2008.adelaide.edu.au/ Contact Jim Denier, Chair, National Committee for Mechanical Sciences, Secretary General ICTAM 2008 at ictam2008@adelaide.edu.au
2528 August. Annual scientific meeting and 50th anniversary celebration of the Endocrine Society of Australia. Melbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne. More information is available from www.esa-srb.org.au/
26 August. The National Academies Forum in conjunction with the National Scholarly Communications Forum will conduct a workshop to consider the green paper on the Cutler Review of the National Innovation System. Common Room, University House, Canberra. Further information is available from www.naf.org.au/26august08.htm
30 August. Closing dates for honorific awards. See article above.
1216 September. The Physiological Society is hosting an international workshop for young physiologists, Latest advances in ion channel techniques applied to physiological problems. Free registration; travel grants available. Shanghai, China. The program and more information is available from www.physoc.org/site/cms/contentviewarticle.asp?article=702
25 September. The Lloyd Rees Lecture will be presented by Professor Michelle Simmons FAA at 2.30 pm in the Ian Wark lecture theatre, CSIRO Molecular Science and Forestry and Forest Products, Clayton, Victoria.
30 September. Closing date for travelling fellowships and research support. See article above.
2 October. Shine Dome open day.
2830 October. The future of agriculture value or volume? Horizons in Livestock Sciences Conference. Christchurch, New Zealand. Poster abstract due 28 July. Earlybird registration closes on 20 August. Program available from www.livestockhorizons.com
67 November. Preventative health: Using science and technology to narrow the divide between the city and the bush. High Flyers Think Tank (funded by the Theo Murphy Fund). The University of Sydney, Sydney.
7 November. A dinner will be held at the Hyatt Hotel in Adelaide for the presentation of the Ian William Wark Medal and Lecture. The medallist is Dr Alan Reid FAA. Contact the Academy on 02 6201 9400.
1718 November. The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering will hold its 31st annual symposium Alternative transportation fuels for Australia. RACV Club, Melbourne. For further information go to www.atse.org.au/index.php?sectionid=35
1619 November. Medical bionics a new paradigm for human health, Sir Mark Oliphant Conferences: International Frontiers of Science and Technology. The Bionic Ear Institute, Melbourne. For further information go to www.medicalbionics.consec.com.au/
31 January4 February 2009. Asia-Pacific Congress on Electron Tomography, Sir Mark Oliphant Conferences: International Frontiers of Science and Technology. For further information go to http://homepage.mac.com/marshbj/APCET/
ACADEMY DELEGATES ATTENDING INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS
27th Committee on Space Research Scientific Assembly, 1320 July 2008, Montreal, Canada. Professor Iver Cairns
International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology General Assembly, 27 July1 August, Quebec, Canada. Dr Rebecca Ritchie and Professor Andrew Somogyi
General Assembly of the International Union of Microbiological Sciences, 59 August, Istanbul, Turkey. Associate Professor David Ellis, Dr Tuck Weng Kok and Professor Harold Stokes
33rd International Geological Congress in Oslo, 614 August, Oslo, Norway. Dr Neil Williams, Dr Ian Lambert, Mr David Mason, Professor Paulo Vasconcelos, Mr Paul Kay
International Union of Radio Science General Assembly, 716 August, Chicago, USA. Professor Andrew Parfitt, Dr David DeBoer, Dr Phil Wilkinson, Dr Vitas Anderson, Professor Michael Tobar, Dr Geoff James, Dr Le Nguyen Binh, Ms Carol Wilson, Dr David Noon
International Geographical Union, 1215 August, Tunis, Tunisia. Professors Lesley Head, Nigel Tapper and Margaret Robertson
International Union of Crystallography General Assembly, 2331 August, Osaka, Japan. Professor Mitchell Guss, Professor Jenny Martin and Dr Steve Wilkins
22nd International Congress on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, 2430 August, Adelaide. Professor Ernie Tuck and Associate Professor Jim Denier
General Assembly of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, 1318 October, Tsukuba, Japan. Professor Michelle Simmons
29th General Assembly of the International Council for Science, 1325 October, Maputo, Mozambique. Professor Bruce McKellar
COUNCIL MEMBERS
