PRESIDENT'S NOTES
10 February 2009
Dear Colleagues,
There have been significant changes to members of two important committees of the Academy recently. The first change relates to the Academy's publication Historical Records of Australian Science.
Professor Rod Home of the University of Melbourne has indicated that he would like to retire from the position of editor, a position he has held for nearly 25 years. His hard work and dedication, which have been major factors leading to the success of the journal, were recognised in 2004 by the award of the Academy Medal.
In a five year transitional process Dr Libby Robin a member of the Historical Records editorial board, senior fellow at the Fenner School of the Environment and Society and a Senior Research Fellow at the National Museum of Australia will gradually replace him in a stepwise process by the end of 2014, at which point Rod will take to tending his garden full time.
The second piece of news relates to changes to the Academy's Finance Committee. Mr Neil Ffrench formerly manager of the Australian National University Investment Office is retiring from the committee after many years of dedicated service. His sage advice on financial matters, given freely on his own time, has been greatly appreciated and of immeasurable benefit to the Academy.
Mr Mark Waldron has agreed to replace Neil on the committee. Mark is currently an investment manager at the ANU with 24 years experience in the investment industry.
One of the Academy's long-running concerns is the future of Australia's science and the best way to assure this is through fostering young scientists. We attempt this in various ways. One is support for the InterAcademy Panel program, one of whose recent activities has been a meeting of young scientists in China. I am particularly impressed by the Tianjin Statement of Global Young Scientists, Passion for science, passion for a better world. A universal aspiration shared by scientists around the world is to pursue knowledge to improve the state of the world. The statement reinforces the important role of science and technology in addressing the challenges we face today, from the perspective of young researchers. I encourage you to find the time to read the full statement (www.interacademies.net/CMS/8630.aspx).
With best wishes,
Kurt Lambeck
GOVERNMENT AND RELATED REVIEWS AND SUBMISSIONS
Since the last President's Note, the Academy has commented on or responded to the following inquiries or reviews:
- ABC and SBS review
- Priorities for Australian climate change science research
- Developing infrastructure for the low-carbon economy
Academy reports and submissions are available from www.science.org.au/reports
ACADEMY ANNOUNCES AWARDS FOR SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE
Career awards
2009 David Craig Medal for research in chemistry
Emeritus Professor Leonard Lindoy FAA
School of Chemistry, University of Sydney
2009 Hannan Medal for research in pure mathematics
Professor (Edward) Norman Dancer FAA
School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sydney
2009 Jaeger Medal for research in Earth sciences
Professor Malcolm McCulloch FAA
Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University
2009 Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal for research in mathematics or physics
Professor Victor Flambaum FAA
School of Physics, University of New South Wales
2010 Macfarlane Burnet Medal and Lecture for research in the biological sciences
Professor David Vaux FAA
Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe University.
Early-career awards (for researchers under 40 years of age)
2009 Fenner Medal for research in biology (excluding the biomedical sciences)
Associate Professor Sean Connolly
ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, and School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University
2009 Ruth Stephens Gani Medal for research in human genetics
Dr Marnie Blewitt
Division of Molecular Medicine, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
2009 Gottschalk Medal for research in the medical sciences
Dr Carola Vinuesa
John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University
Inaugural Anton Hales Medal for research in earth sciences
Associate Professor Jeffrey Walker
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Melbourne
2009 Dorothy Hill Award for female researchers in the Earth sciences including reef science, ocean drilling, marine science and taxonomy in marine systems
Dr Daniela Rubatto
Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University
2009 Le Fèvre Memorial Prize for research in basic chemistry
Dr Stephen Blanksby
School of Chemistry, University of Wollongong
2009 Moran Medal for research in statistics
Dr Melanie Bahlo
Bioinformatics Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research
2009 Pawsey Medal for research in physics
Dr Stuart Wyithe
School of Physics, University of Melbourne
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
The Tianjin Statement of global young scientists
From 26 to 28 September 2008, 43 young scientists participated in the Annual Meeting of New Champions of the World Economic Forum in Tianjin, China. The young scientists were selected by the InterAcademy Panel, in collaboration with its 100 member academies from around the world and representing 32 countries on five continents. Australia was represented by the 2008 winner of the Academy's Dorothy Hill Award, Dr Sandra McLaren from the University of Melbourne.
The young scientists issued the statement Passion for science, passion for a better world, written from the perspective of early-career researchers, illustrating how young scientists can contribute to the development process. The statement covered three general areas:
- competency and career development;
- collaboration and mobility; and
- contributing to a better world.
Quotes from the young scientists and the full text of the statement are available from www.interacademies.net/CMS/8630.aspx.
JOINT AASATSE NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN FOR EARTH OBSERVATION FROM SPACE
The Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering have a long-standing commitment to a strong Australian role in space science, including the various aspects of space-based Earth observation. With support from a number of Australian Government departments and agencies with responsibilities for various aspects of Earth observation from space, the two academies recently agreed to undertake a study of Australian needs for Earth observation from space over the next 10 to 15 years and to prepare a National Strategic Plan for Earth Observation from Space. A working group has been established which is supported by a steering committee made up of senior representatives of the academies and the main supporting organisations. Both committees are chaired by Dr John Zillman FAA, FTSE. The plan is expected to be finalised at the end of July 2009.
NATIONAL COMMITTEES FOR SCIENCE
The National Committee for Data in Science will meet at Ian Potter House on Tuesday 17 February.
PrimaryConnections
During 2008, the PrimaryConnections team worked closely with the Western Australian Department of Education and Training to develop a DVD featuring PrimaryConnections Incorporating Indigenous Perspectives. In addition to developing the DVD, the research report on the indigenous perspectives pilot Small study: Big success story was published. Both were featured in a presentation at the World Indigenous Peoples Conference Education in Melbourne in December. The presentation highlighted the partnerships between indigenous and non-indigenous educators that contributed to successful learning outcomes for indigenous (and non-indigenous) students during the pilot.
Three new curriculum units have been published and are now available for sale. Sounds sensational and Change detectives were released at the end of the school year in 2008, followed by Light fantastic in January 2009. Four more units will be published in 2009 to complete the suite of 19 units planned for Stage 3 of the project.
For more information about PrimaryConnections go to www.science.org.au/primaryconnections
AAS TEACHER AWARDS TO ATTEND SCIENCE AT THE SHINE DOME
Each year the Academy sponsors a teacher from each state and territory to attend its annual Science at the Shine Dome conference in Canberra. The conference activities include the new fellows' seminar, awards presentation, education workshop and annual symposium, Evolution of the universe, planets, life and thought, which will explore the inspiration provided by the work of Darwin and Galileo. Application forms are available from www.science.org.au/sats2009/ta and the closing date is 9 March.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE OXFORD NUFFIELD MEDICAL FELLOWSHIP 200910 NOW OPEN
The Scheme for Oxford Nuffield Medical Fellowships in either a clinical medicine or medical science department of the University of Oxford is offered for 200910. The fellowship carries an allowance on the scale £40,143 £43,755, subject to United Kingdom tax. A summary of the financial and other arrangements of the fellowship are available from www.science.org.au/awards/nuffield.htm. The closing date for applications is 18 May.
CALL FOR PAPERS FOR THE SIR MARK OLIPHANT CONFERENCE NANOPHOTONICS DOWN UNDER 2009
The organisers of the Sir Mark Oliphant Conference Nanophotonics down under 2009 are calling for papers. The deadline for submission of abstracts is 28 February, and for early-bird registration is 1 April.
The Australian Research Council Nanotechnology Network will provide discounted registration rates for Australian early-career researchers and PhD students. Please refer to the conference websites for details. Other information relating to registration, accommodation and travel support are available from www.smonp2009.com.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2009 PRIME MINISTER'S PRIZES FOR SCIENCE
The 2009 prime minister's prizes for science, celebrating the achievements of Australia's world-leading scientists and science educators is now open for nominations.
Nomination gives research organisations, universities, education departments and schools a unique opportunity to seek public acknowledgement of the outstanding efforts of their colleagues.
Five prizes will be awarded:
- Prime Minister's Prize for Science ($300,000)
- Science Minister's Prize for Life Scientist of the Year ($50,000)
- Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year ($50,000)
- Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools ($50,000)
- Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools ($50,000)
Nominations can be made online at grants.innovation.gov.au/SciencePrize/Pages/Home.aspx.
For enquiries and assistance during the nomination process contact (02) 6276 1264 email pmprize@innovation.gov.au. Nominations close on Friday, 8 May.
DIARY DATES 2009
3 March. Public lecture on the theme of energy from biomass. Dr Steve Schuck, manager of Bioenergy Australia. Shine Dome, Canberra.
1012 March. Fenner Conference on the Environment, The art and science of good environmental decision making. Shine Dome, Canberra. Further information is available from www.conferenceplus.com.au/fennerconf/2009/
7 April. Solar thermal concentrators: Capturing the sun for large scale power generation and energy export. Pubic lecture by Professor Keith Lovegrove, Solar Thermal Group leader, Department of Engineering, Australian National University. Shine Dome, Canberra.
68 May. Science at the Shine Dome and Annual General Meeting. Evolution of the Universe, the planets, life and thought: The inspiration of Galileo and Darwin. Shine Dome, Canberra.
2124 June. Sir Mark Oliphant Conferences International Frontiers of Science and Technology, Nanophotonics down under: Devices and applications. Melbourne Convention Centre. Further information is available from www.smonp2009.com/
