Interviews with australian scientists
Introduction
Welcome to the Interviews with Australian scientists project. On this site you will find interviews with some of Australia's leading scientists and discover how they change the world we live in.
The Academy established the Interviews with Australian scientists program in 1993 to record interviews with outstanding Australian scientists.The scientists talk about their early life, development of interest in science, mentors, research work, and other aspects of their careers.
Transcripts of the interviews and accompanying teachers notes are available online. Copies of the DVDs may be purchased from the Academy for $15 each including GST, postage and handling.
Latest news
Interview with Professor Charles Birch posted
Ecologist and theologian Professor Charles Birch contributed to several fields of research including population ecology, entomology, genetics and religion. His curiosity for the natural world, in particular an early study of insects, led him to the University of Adelaide Waite Agricultural Institute and then the departments of zoology and biology at the University of Sydney. Professor Birch's inclusion of objective and subjective approaches to questions of science and life resulted in unique offerings to both.
Interview with Professor Barry Marshall posted
It takes an unshakable belief in your scientific data to be able to swallow a vial full of bacteria, in order to show your colleagues that the bacteria will cause painful ulcers. But Professor Barry Marshall did just that in 1984 and was subsequently awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2005 (along with Dr. Robin Warren) for his discovery of Helicobacter pylori as the causative agent in peptic ulcers. Marshall's work on H. pylori infection and treatment was carried out at the Royal Perth Hospital, the Fremantle Hospital, the University of Virginia and continues still at the University of Western Australia.
Interview with Dr Fiona Wood posted
Plastic surgeon Dr Fiona Wood was thrust into the spotlight in 2002 when she co-ordinated the response of the burns unit at the Royal Perth Hospital for the victims of the Bali bombings. However, she has been working on improving treatments for patients since her residency days in England. Wood continues to juggle her family, teaching, research, clinical and community work with energy and enthusiasm..
Interviews coming soon...
Professor Robin Stokes – chemist
Dr Bill Blevin – metrologist
Professor John Newton – nuclear physicist
Dr Amanda Barnard – theoretical physicist