This month’s newsletter comes to you on the eve of the Academy’s annual celebration of scientific excellence, Science at the Shine Dome. Next week I will be welcoming to the Shine Dome distinguished researchers from across the country and across the Asia-Pacific region. They gather with leaders from government, industry, philanthropy and the diplomatic community.
We will be joined by Science Minister, Senator the Hon Tim Ayres, and Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy, the Hon Dr Andrew Charlton MP.
A key part of this year’s program is our National Symposium where the Academy will release the Australian Science, Australia’s Future: Science 2035 report, making available the most comprehensive analysis of Australia’s science capability gaps. We will present a national picture of where we stand, and the reforms required to put Australia on track to meet our national ambitions.
The National Symposium will assemble policy architects, international experts, and innovation leaders who are responsible for shaping Australia's R&D strategy at the highest levels. I am looking forward to hearing from Robyn Denholm, Chair, Strategic Examination of Research and Development; Tony Cook PSM, Secretary, Department of Education; and Meghan Quinn PSM, Secretary, Department of Industry, Science and Resources. As well as Professor Mark Ferguson, Chair, European Innovation Council; Professor Susan Dodds FAHA, Deputy Chair, Australian Research Council; Rosemary Huxtable AO PSM, Chair, National Health and Medical Research Council Strategy; and Adjunct Professor Peter Rossdeutscher AM, Chair, Industry Innovation and Science Australia.
If you’ve missed out on tickets to Science at the Shine Dome, I encourage you to join the conversation via the livestream that will be viewable on our website.
I am encouraged that R&D has featured so prominently in the national discourse preceding and during the Economic Roundtable held by the Treasurer earlier this month. The Academy’s Chief Executive presented reform proposals at two of the lead-in roundtables: the Technology and Innovation Roundtable hosted by Minister Ayres, and the ACT Roundtable hosted by Finance Minister Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher and Productivity Minister Dr Andrew Leigh MP. Our proposal seeks to address the sustained decline in R&D investment by incentivising companies with revenue over $100 million to invest in R&D by applying a 0.25% or 0.5% levy on those that don’t invest, with funds from the scheme used to grow long-term research funding.
This month’s release of the 2025–26 Science, Research and Innovation (SRI) Budget Tables and the ABS figures affirm that R&D investment isn’t keeping up with inflation, let alone growing.
Finally, a call to all early- and mid-career researchers: the Theo Murphy Initiative Australia grant round is open for applications. This popular Academy program provides much-needed support for scientific activities that are led by and that enable the participation of early- and mid-career scientists.
I look forward to seeing you all either in person or online next week to celebrate scientific excellence. Viva Science!
Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC PresAA FRS FREng FTSE
President, Australian Academy of Science
© 2025 Australian Academy of Science
