The Australian Academy of Science will celebrate its 70th anniversary across 2024, with a full calendar of events to mark seven decades of scientific excellence.
The Academy will reflect on its vivid history as well as look to the future and invites all with an interest in science to join in the festivities.
“Our country has a deep reservoir of talent within the sciences, including some of the world’s most eminent researchers and professionals,” said Academy President Professor Chennupati Jagadish.
“In our 70th year, the Academy will deliver a rich program of events, profiling our most distinguished and emerging scientists, champions, and organisations who contribute to science every day.”
A ceremony at the Shine Dome in Canberra will kick off the year-long celebrations on 13 February 2024, marking the week the Academy was founded in 1954 by Australian Fellows of the Royal Society of London.
Across the year, a six-part public speaker series, titled The journey of Australian science: Tracing our history, discovering future paths, will delve into the fascinating history and future of Australian science. Each instalment will tell the story of one scientific discipline, from the landmark discoveries of the Academy’s earliest Fellows – such as founding President, distinguished physicist Sir Mark Oliphant – to today's cutting-edge frontiers.
In March, the Academy’s annual symposium, Food futures: Nourishing a nation, will highlight the hot-button issue of food security during the World Science Festival in Brisbane.
2024 will also see the iconic symbol of Australian science, the Shine Dome, celebrate its 65th birthday. As part of the ACT Heritage Festival, the Shine Dome will be open to the public for tours on 20 April.
Science at the Shine Dome, the Academy’s flagship annual event, will run 9–12 September 2024. The event will feature the admission of distinguished Fellows elected to the Academy in 2023 and 2024 and offer an occasion to reflect on the Academy’s rich history and bright future.
Further activities will be held across the year to celebrate this milestone.
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science