PRESIDENT'S NOTES

26 November 1999


Dear Colleague,

Here is the latest news from the Academy of Science.

With best wishes,
Brian D O Anderson

RESEARCH ASSESSMENT
The Executive Committee recently discussed the Academy’s draft policy statement on an Australian research assessment exercise. This canvassed a number of issues including impacts on university policies, the need to make use of existing departmental review processes and the need to study relevant overseas comparators. The Secretary (Science Policy), John White, will revise the policy in the light of the comments made and after consultation with other key players.

CAPABILITY REVIEW
John White is also preparing a response to the Chief Scientist’s review of Australian science capability. The Academy strongly supports the approach being taken by the Chief Scientist. The response will develop positions the Academy has established previously, with a particular focus on the national role of our science base and measures needed to restore its vitality.

GENE TECHNOLOGY IN FOOD
The National Committee for Plant Sciences is preparing a position paper on the use of genetic technology in food production. For further details contact Trish Nicholls at the Academy (email nr@science.org.au, phone 02 6247 3966) or Barry Osmond (phone 02 6287 4241).

SOILS CONFERENCE – FIXING THE FOUNDATIONS
A successful conference on the role of soil science in sustainable land and water management was held in Adelaide on 11-12 November. A report will be available in the new year. For more information contact Faye Nicholas at the Academy (email ac@science.org.au, phone (02) 6247 5777).

HUMAN RIGHTS NETWORK
Professor Torsten Wiesel, Chair of the Network of International Academies and Learned Societies on Human Rights dined with me and other Fellows on 16 November. For information about the network contact Trish Nicholls (email nr@science.org.au, phone (02) 6247 3966).

CHANGES TO THE BYE-LAWS
Because a Royal Charter provides the legal basis for the Academy, the Federal Government has to agree to any changes to the Bye-Laws, such as those currently going forward which concern investment policy and postal balloting for candidates for Ordinary Election to the Academy.

SCIENCE AND THE BOARDROOM
The Academy is a member of the National Science Forum, a grouping of six peak science, technology and communication bodies united in the cause of promoting the public awareness of science. The Chair of the Forum, Jim Peacock, has proposed a program, called Science and the Boardroom, aimed at raising the awareness of senior executives in industry of the value of science and technology. The Executive Committee has strongly endorsed this proposal.

DIARY HIGHLIGHTS

  • In the past week I have visited our colleagues in the Royal Society of New Zealand, who kindly invited me to address their AGM.
  • 26 November: PMSEIC.
  • 1 December: National Innovation Summit, Steering Committee;
    3 December: Council and Executive Committee.
  • In early December Mr Tim Besley of ATSE and I will be meeting Neville Stephens, Secretary of the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, to discuss proposals for promoting research and commercialisation in information science and technology.

NATIONAL COMMITTEES
Minutes of the following meetings are available at www.science.org.au/
internat/natcomm/natcom.htm. Copies can be requested from Ros Wallace at ns@science.org.au or (02) 6247 3966.

  • Plant sciences (18 October 1999)
  • Animal sciences (13 August 1999)
  • Geography (30 July 1999)
  • Astronomy (12 July 1999)
  • Quaternary research (11 June 1999)
  • Biophysics (21 May 1999)

OFFICE BEARERS OF THE ACADEMY

President, Professor Brian Anderson
phone (02) 6279 8667, fax (02) 6279 8688,
email brian.anderson@anu.edu.au

Secretary (Physical Sciences), Professor Bruce McKellar
phone (03) 9344 5122, b.mckellar@physics.unimelb.edu.au

Secretary (Biological Sciences), Professor John Young
phone (02) 9351 4600, johny@physiol.usyd.edu.au

Secretary (Science Policy), Professor John White
phone (02) 6249 3578, jww@rsc.anu.edu.au

Foreign Secretary, Professor Kurt Lambeck
phone (02) 6249 5161, kurt.lambeck@anu.edu.au

Treasurer, Professor Athel Beckwith
phone (02) 6249 3234, beckwith@rsc.anu.edu.au