Spark your curiosity, make a fresh discovery or immerse yourself in a new world this summer with reading, listening and viewing recommendations from some of Australia's top scientists.
As part of a tradition now in its 10th year, Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science reveal what media have kept them captivated ahead of the summer holidays.
Academy Fellow and winner of the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science, Professor Lidia Morawska, owns multiple copies of the “fascinating and important” Air-Borne: The hidden history of the life we breathe by Carl Zimmer.
Nominations of candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged. This includes personal and cultural backgrounds, disciplines, career stages and geographic regions.
Nominations close 18 December 2025.
Are you an oceans researcher?
The Belmont Forum has launched its Ocean 2 funding call!
Australia is engaged in this international initiative, and there are opportunities for researchers or institutions to collaborate on project proposals. Research themes include:
biodiversity conservation and nature-based solutions
ocean-biodiversity-climate integration
nature futures, ocean governance, and ethics for sustainability
southern oceans and Antarctica.
Registrations are due 5 March 2026.
Please join the online researcher briefing on Friday 12 December 2025 at 9.30 am AEDT to find out more about the Ocean 2 funding call.
Future Earth Australia is coordinating participation as the member organisation for Australia. Before you begin your application, please contact Kate Nairn, Head of Future Earth Australia, to discuss participation opportunities, proposal development, and potential funding pathways. Email Kate at kate.nairn@science.org.au
Fellows update
Keep abreast of the Academy Fellowship in the Fellows update:
Honours and awards to Fellows
Obituary – Professor David Stuart Letham FAA
Recently published biographical memoir
If Fellows have been recognised with an award, please let us know via fellowship@science.org.au so we can consider including it in the next update.
COMING EVENTS
AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward – AI in science and research
From predicting protein structures to analysing complex data, AI is profoundly changing the way scientists work and generate new knowledge.
In this panel discussion, experts from diverse corners of the research ecosystem will discuss how AI is accelerating innovation, the opportunities and challenges it presents, and what this means for trust in science.
Dr Stefan Harrer (Data61, CSIRO) connects safe and trustworthy AI systems with human decision-makers in health, biotech and pharma.
Professor Karin Verspoor (RMIT University) researches AI methods for biological discovery and clinical decision support, using machine learning to extract insights from the academic literature.
Associate Professor Michelle Riedlinger (Queensland University of Technology) is an expert in public engagement and research communication.
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on the role of AI in the scientific endeavour and what this means for the role of science in society.
Event details
Date: Tuesday 9 December 2025 Time: Canapés and drinks are served from 5.30 pm, with the talks (and the livestream) starting at 6.00 pm AEDT. Venue: The Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Acton, ACT (and online livestream) Cost: $20pp ($15pp for students)
This institution- and discipline-agnostic initiative offers competitive relocation packages to attract exceptional talent that could be placed in universities, medical research institutes, research agencies, and industries while focusing on areas of national need.
Embedding brilliant minds within Australia’s R&D system creates a powerful multiplier effect that seeds capability, creates jobs, attracts investment, mentors young scientists and positions Australia as a global innovation leader.
With other countries already pursuing similar opportunities, the Academy is calling on visionary funders to contribute to this nation-building program and be part of Australia’s scientific and economic future.
