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On 3 July, the Academy welcomed a senior Swiss delegation to Sydney. Led by Professor Martina Hirayama, Switzerland’s State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, the delegation met with several Academy representatives: President Professor Chennupati Jagadish, former Foreign Secretary Professor Elaine Sadler, and Head of International Affairs Nancy Pritchard.
The meeting was part of a broader visit by the Swiss delegation, engaging with university, government and industry stakeholders to deepen Switzerland’s research collaboration with Australia.
Over the course of the meeting, the two parties explored a range of shared interests, including Switzerland’s association with Horizon Europe, the Australian Government’s Strategic Examination of Research and Development, the Academy’s Australian Science, Australia’s Future: Science 2035 project, and the work of the International Science Council Regional Focal Point for Asia-Pacific, incubated at the Academy.
The delegation commented on the more than 150 agreements that already exist between Swiss and Australian universities, highlighting a strong foundation for further collaboration to deepen innovation and knowledge exchange between the two nations.
Now in its 10th year, the Australian Academy of Science is proud to deliver the national Falling Walls Lab program, where breakthrough ideas are pitched by Australia’s most innovative students and early-career professionals in just three minutes.
Five regional heats will take place across the country, with the top two finalists from each heat advancing to the Australia Finale in Canberra on 1 September 2025.
Registrations are now open to join the audience and be inspired by the next generation of innovators.
Find out more and book your seat.
The Academy recently made the following submission to government:
The International Science Council’s Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific and the International Network for Governmental Science Advice in Asia have launched a new program aimed at bringing together the scientific and policy communities in Asia.
The Seeds of Science, Asia program is an opportunity for scientists, researchers, academics and practitioners across Asia to share their insights and expertise with both the scientific community and policy makers in their respective countries.
It is also an opportunity for policymakers, civil servants and government officials to explore how science engagement can best support their work, and to provide relevant information to scientists about the complexities of policymaking as well as how science can be efficiently integrated.
This year, Seeds of Science, Asia will be offering grants of up to A$9,500 each to successful consortia. Applications may include organising workshops, seminars or other activities promoting science engagement at an institutional or national level in the applicants’ respective countries.
Successful applicants will be mentored by experts in the science-policy nexus who will provide valuable guidance and support for the successful implementation of their workshops.
Visit Seeds of Science, Asia to apply.
Applications close 25 August 2025 (07:00 UTC / 17:00 AEST).
Keep abreast of the Academy Fellowship in the Fellows update:
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.
The Academy’s annual flagship event, Science at the Shine Dome, will be held in Canberra from 1 to 4 September at the iconic Shine Dome – the home of Australian Science.
Australia’s science sector will gather to celebrate science and to honour outstanding scientific achievements.
Fellows elected in 2025 will sign the historic Charter Book, adding their names to the scientific greats of our nation, and delegates will have a unique opportunity to learn about the depth and breadth of Australian science from the nation’s best. We will celebrate the recipients of the Academy’s prestigious awards and early- and mid-career researchers will have an unparalleled opportunity to network and forge new collaborations.
The event will culminate with the National Symposium, which in 2025 will explore the findings of Australian Science, Australia’s Future, the Academy’s examination of the capabilities Australia requires to meet our national ambitions.
Find out more about Science at the Shine Dome 2025.
Over the past 18 months, the Australian Academy of Science has embarked on one of the most ambitious policy efforts in our history – Australian Science, Australia’s Future: Science 2035.
At the 2025 National Symposium, the Academy will share the findings and implications of our assessment of Australia’s science capability.
Drawing on a comprehensive analysis of capability gaps, workforce trends and strategic dependencies, the event will present a national picture of where we stand, and what we must do to strengthen science for the decades ahead.
This event will explore the findings of this study, including gaps in our science capabilities, and the reform required to put Australia on track to meet our national ambitions.
Date: Thursday 4 September 2025
Time: 9.00am – 4.30pm AEST
Venue: Shine Dome Canberra, and online livestream
Cost: $150 per delegate in person, online free
Find out more about this event.
Seed-planting farmbots, pest-detecting drones, and robotic noses for evaluating wine and beer: the future of food production and farming is high tech.
AI has the potential to boost the sustainability and efficiency of Australian agriculture. It can selectively control weeds, saving on herbicide use. It can figure out the perfect time to water a crop, and identify grapes damaged by bushfire smoke.
Join us to hear from two expert speakers at the cutting edge of this technology: Associate Professor Sigfredo Fuentes and Dr Sarah Hartman.
Come along and get a taste of the future of food.
Date: Tuesday 12 August 2025
Time: Canapes and drinks are served from 5.30pm, with the talks (and the livestream) at 6.00–7.00pm AEST
Venue: The Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Acton ACT (and free online livestream)
Cost: $20pp ($15pp for students), livestream free
More about our 2025 public speaker series.
Watch the recordings of our previous events:
The integration of tissue engineering, research on ageing, and artificial intelligence holds the promise of revolutionising healthcare by not only repairing or replacing damaged tissues but also improving our understanding of the ageing process.
University of Sydney is hosting a symposium to explore the progress and potential of these fields in combating the effects of ageing.
Date: Thursday 23 October 2025
Time: 9:15am – 5pm AEDT
Venue: C13B Seminar Room 1613, 133 Castlereagh St, Sydney NSW
Register to attend the symposium.
The Academy-led Where Science Lives: Global Talent Attraction Program is aimed at recruiting leading scientists from the United States. 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.
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.
The Honorary editor of the Academy newsletter is Professor Yuri Estrin FAA
© 2025 Australian Academy of Science
