Australian Academy of Science Newsletter 173

Message from the President

The Academy has spoken out strongly this month on critical issues such as the Voice to Parliament and Australia’s emission reduction targets.

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Position statement on the Voice to Parliament

The Academy supports the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution.

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Australia’s leading scientists respond to Universities Accord Interim Report

We need to consider innovative solutions that move beyond past debates and that challenge the status quo.

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Statement regarding June 2023 cuts to Australian space programs

Australia’s future in space depends on a commitment to the underpinning science.

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Antarctica, geology and the Frank Stillwell Collection

Rare manuscripts and photographs documenting early Australian exploration of Antarctica have been digitised.

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Australia urged to ‘reconsider Western hegemonial stronghold in botany’ in Academy journal

A fascinating article examines the intersection of Western science and commerce in the collecting and naming of Eucalyptus staeri.

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Submissions to government

• Alignment and coordination between the Medical Research Future Fund and NHMRC’s Medical Research Endowment Account
• Setting, tracking and achieving Australia’s emissions reduction targets 
• Senate Inquiry into the capability and capacity of Australia’s defence industry
• National Health and Climate Strategy

Opportunities for scientists

Find out more about coming opportunities for scientists:

• Ukraine-Australia Research Fund
• The Abel Prize

Fellows update

Keep abreast of the Academy Fellowship in the Fellows update​:

• Honours and awards to Fellows
• Obituaries for Professor John Pate, Professor Bob Pressey and Professor Tim Wall

Looking Back, Moving Forward: Caring for Land and Country

Join the Australian Academy of Science for the fourth instalment of the 2023 public speaker series.

Hear how the intersection of Indigenous knowledges is informing our understanding of topics including climate change, agriculture and astronomy. The speakers for this event are Shandell Cummings and Dr Fiona Walsh.

Date: Tuesday 8 August
Time: 5.30pm – 7.00pm AEST in person, 6.00pm – 7.00pm online  
Venue: The Shine Dome and online

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From Antarctica to Space via Bologna, Italy: a lecture by Dr Meganne Christian

Join the Embassy of Italy in Australia and the Australian Academy of Science to hear from Australia’s first female astronaut, Dr Meganne Christian.

Dr Christian is a materials scientist and atmospheric physicist, and is one of 11 reservist astronauts selected as part of the European Space Agency’s 2022 astronaut class, alongside five career astronauts from more than 22,500 eligible applicants.

Date: Friday 11 August
Time: 5.30pm – 6.45pm AEST, followed by refreshments and networking
Venue: The Shine Dome, 15 Gordon St Acton ACT

Please note: this event will not be livestreamed, but the event recording will be made available on Friday 25 August.

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Celebrating excellence in science: Career honorific awards

Find out how climate change is reshaping our oceans, uncover the secrets of our universe, discover the origins of breast cancer and so much more! Join us online to hear from the Australian Academy of Science's career honorific awardees.

In these two online events, the Academy celebrates the recipients of the 2022 and 2023 career honorific awards. Each event will feature five awardees, each presenting their work in a short presentation followed by a Q&A.

Event 1

Date: Thursday 24 August
Time: 1.30pm–4.00pm AEST

• Professor Georgia Chenevix-Trench FAA, Suzanne Cory Medal 2022 
• Professor Terry Hughes FAA, Suzanne Cory Medal 2023
• Professor Cath Lovelock FAA, Suzanne Cory Medal 2023
• Professor David Craik AO FAA FRS, David Craig Medal 2023
• Professor Susan Scott FAA, Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal 2023

Event 2

Date: Thursday 31 August 2023
Time: 1.30pm–4.00pm AEST

• Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik FAA, David Craig Medal 2022
• Professor Matthew England FAA, Jaeger Medal 2023
• Professor Richard Hartley FAA, Hannan Medal 2023
• Professor Nick Wormald FAA, Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal 2023
• Professor Andrew Roberts, Mawson Medal 2022

More information on these events

Supporting science

Since the Academy’s creation by Royal Charter in 1954, the first donations received by our Founders assisted towards the foundation of the Endowment Fund—allowing the Academy to establish its independence.

With further support from our Fellows, donors and friends, we have been able to develop and implement a breadth of programs and activities that are now sewn into the fabric of Australian science. 

Today, we continue to uphold this legacy and donations play an important role in ensuring science informs decisions wherever they are made, the continuation of building capabilities, nurturing early- and mid-career researchers who are shaping the science sector, and contributing to national and international challenges.

To learn more about giving to the Academy visit our website or contact Kate Groves on (02) 6201 9460 or kate.groves@science.org.au

We hope you will consider supporting the Academy and our vision for excellence in science.