Election to the Academy

The Australian Academy of Science aims to be a leader in diversity and inclusion in Australia’s science sector. We are committed to supporting excellence in science but we recognise that to achieve this we must celebrate and embrace diversity and inclusion in all its forms. 

More about the Academy’s approach to diversity and inclusion

Watch our videos encouraging the nominations of diversity candidates

As only our Fellows can nominate candidates for election to the Academy, we encourage all our Fellows to nominate diversity candidates. To assist us to identify diversity candidates across the nation, each year we invite over 400 leaders in the Australian STEM and tertiary sectors to suggest diversity candidates to us by the end of June at the latest. These candidates are then assessed by Fellows appointed as our ‘Champions of Diversity’ in each area of science. The candidates who have been assessed as suitable for election then have a Fellow chosen who agrees to propose the candidate for election. This involves working closely with the candidate on the nomination, which must be started by 31 July in our online nomination system, with the full nomination submitted by 31 August.

Each year the Academy elects up to 20 new Fellows by ‘Ordinary Election’ and up to four additional Fellows by ‘Special Election’. In June 2020, the Fellowship comprised 557 Fellows, including 90 women.

The Academy’s Council may also elect up to two Corresponding Members each year from among distinguished scientists overseas. There are currently 35 Corresponding Members in the Academy.

Timeline: 2021 election round

Eligibility for election

1. Candidates for Ordinary and Special Election must be Australian citizens or permanent residents in Australia, and have an attachment to an Australian research organisation. For recent arrivals to Australia, who are not Australian citizens, candidates should be a resident for the two years preceding the date of the election meeting in early February and contributing to Australian science.
2. Candidates for Corresponding Membership shall be persons, not normally resident in Australia, who are eminent in some branch of natural knowledge.

Criteria for Ordinary Election 

1. Scientific achievement: (This dimension focuses on the candidate’s research including the translation or applied impact of that research). Scientific excellence is based on either a single ground-breaking contribution to science, OR a cohesive body of smaller contributions with clear impact. (At least 60% weighting).
   Indicators of impact may include but are not limited to: ground-breaking publications; citation of those publications; ‘textbook’ science; patents; significant impact on practice or translation of the research; or other indicators relative to the standards for each discipline. For ‘applied’ candidates (where there is a significant impact of their applications of scientific knowledge to the invention or development of new devices, constructions, products or processes, or to the advancement of human health, welfare or the environment) these additional indicators of impact should also be addressed.
2. National and international profile: (This dimension focuses on how others have responded to the candidate’s collective achievements). (Up to 20% weighting).
   Indicators include: invitations to speak; grants and Fellowships; journal editorships; honours, awards and prizes; membership of prestigious organisations or committees; and supportive letters from referees.
3. Leadership, mentorship, promotion of science and potential to advance the work of the Academy: (This dimension focuses on what the candidate has done other than their own research). (Up to 20% weighting).
   Indicators include: executive and leadership roles; conference organisation; high-level peer review functions; science education, outreach, advocacy and/or policy development; successful mentorship of the next generation of scientists; other contributions to the discipline.

The Academy is committed to celebrating and supporting diversity within the Fellowship. Achievement is judged relative to opportunity, taking into account any breaks in, or late commencement of, career. Assessment is done in such a way as to not disadvantage gifted young scientists who have already made outstanding contributions to their discipline. Gender balance and diversity issues (including age; ethnicity; state and region of residence; emerging disciplines; and interdisciplinary science) within the Fellowship will be further taken into-account by Council in considering the final list of candidates.

Criteria for Special Election

Each year the Council may deem it desirable that the Academy elect to Fellowship up to four persons, whose election would expand the diversity of the Fellowship and be of signal benefit to the Academy and to the advancement of science.

Special election candidates will be assessed using the following indicators of merit:

1. Evidence of sustained service to the cause of science and science leadership, including mentorship, at the highest level and/or evidence of innovation or entrepreneurial spirit through the translation of the results of scientific research that have led to global impact. (50%)
2. Evidence of very high national and/or international profile, including supportive letters of reference from eminent referees. (30%)
3. Potential to advance the work of the Academy in science education, advocacy, policy or international engagement. (20%)

Criteria for Corresponding Membership

1. The primary selection criterion is scientific excellence through EITHER a single ground-breaking contribution to science, OR a cohesive body of smaller contributions with clear impact, as indicated by but not limited to: ground-breaking publications, citation of those publications, ‘textbook’ science, patents, major impact on practice or translation of the research, or other indicators relative to the standards for each discipline. (50%)
2. Extremely high international research profile, including supportive letters of reference from eminent referees. (30%)
3. Strength of connection or strategic value to Australian science including potential to advance the work of the Academy in science education, advocacy or policy. (20%)

Nomination for Fellowship

Fellows nominate candidates via the Academy’s nomination system. Information required includes:

• signed agreement from the candidate to nomination
• short citation
• support from at least four Fellows
• extended citation against the selection criteria
• full curriculum vitae
• list of most significant publications
• full publication list
• referees willing to support the nomination

A nomination is valid for five consecutive election rounds/years or until the candidate is elected. Proposers MUST update the nominations for their continuing candidates every year for the life of the nomination. After the nomination has expired, and following a pause of two election rounds (two years), a new nomination for that candidate may be submitted.

Please refer to the ‘Information to Complete an Online Fellowship Nomination—2021 Election Round’ for further details.

Questions regarding the nomination process (including the eligibility of a candidate or suitability of a referee) may be directed to the Fellowship Director, Karen Holt, by email to fellowship@science.org.au.

Sectional committees

Videos encouraging diversity candidates

You are welcome to share and embed our videos encouraging the nomination of diversity candidates for Fellowship and awards.