The event artwork was designed by Leah Albert for the Australian Academy of Science. Find out all about the event artwork.
Welcome to our highlights from Science at the Shine Dome 2025.
The event is a hybrid format, so audiences can join us in-person in Canberra or join online from anywhere in the world.
Science at the Shine Dome is the Academy’s flagship event. Over the next four days, Australia’s science sector will gather at the Shine Dome in Canberra – the home of Australian science – to celebrate science and to honour outstanding achievements.
Fellows elected in 2025 will sign the historic Charter Book and delegates will have a unique opportunity to learn about the depth and breadth of Australian science from the nation’s top scientists.
We’ll also celebrate the recipients of the Academy’s prestigious awards, and on Thursday 4 September, the National Symposium will explore the Academy’s report examining the capabilities Australia requires to meet our national ambitions: Australian Science, Australia’s Future: Science 2035.
We are grateful to our generous 2025 event partners, who made this event possible:
The first day of Science at the Shine Dome 2025 kicked off with the mentee meet and greet for the Asia-Pacific Academic Mentoring Program.
This program, now in its second year, connects early-career researchers with senior science mentors, to guide young scientists from developing nations within the region to become future leaders in academia.
The Asia-Pacific Academic Mentoring Program is facilitated by the International Science Council (ISC) Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific (RFP-AP) hosted by the Australian Academy of Science.
On Monday, 21 mentees attended, along with five ISC RFP-AP staff members.
Next up, there were multiple professional development opportunities for early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs): 75 EMCRs participated in workshops on grant writing, science in international affairs and diplomacy, and Future Earth Australia’s national strategy.
At the same time, the ISC held its Advisory Council Meeting, which was by invitation only.
The EMCR Forum also held its Executive Meeting today.
After a break for lunch, the Shine Dome was host to the 10th Falling Walls Lab Australia Finale, where the winners from each of the five state labs gave a three-minute presentation on their research or innovative idea. They were competing for the chance to represent Australia at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin on 7 November 2025.
The Australian Academy of Science has been hosting the Falling Walls Lab Australia competition since 2016 in partnership with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Canberra.
Ms Sigrid Sommer, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy Canberra, congratulated all finalists for making it this far, given there is such a “competitive and highly skilled research landscape across Australia.”
"Your talent, dedication, and independent thinking are an inspiration, and could help us to solve the complex challenges we face today." – Ms Sigrid Sommer, Deputy Head of Mission, German Embassy Canberra pic.twitter.com/VVD8IJqrlH
— Australian Academy of Science (@Science_Academy) September 1, 2025
This year’s finale was hosted by Dr Emma-Anne Karlsen, the 2023 Falling Walls Lab Australia winner, and Academy Fellow Professor Hans Bachor AM FAA.
The event drew a large crowd, with 177 people filling the Shine Dome’s Ian Wark theatre and more watching online.
The crowd heard from 11 finalists:
After a break for refreshments while the jury deliberated, Dr Emma-Anne Karlsen shared how attending the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin in 2023 felt like a truly unique experience.
“As scientists, we so often exist in these silos, where we go to our oncology conference and speak to our oncology friends,” Dr Karlsen said.
“Whereas this was just an amazing adult science fair, where you got to interact with so many different people from so many different backgrounds, and get exceptionally fresh perspectives on your work, and how you can scale it up, but also apply it to different areas.”
All finalists were presented with a certificate of participation in the finale.
Australia’s Chief Scientist Professor Tony Haymet, who chaired the jury, then announced the winners.
Mabel Day of the University of Adelaide was awarded first place by the jury, as well as winning the People’s Choice Award.
Dr Auriane Drack of the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute / University of Melbourne took second place, while Khoi Nguyen of Burnet Institute was awarded third place.
The three winners will now represent Australia at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin on 7 November 2025.
Congratulations to all finalists!
© 2025 Australian Academy of Science
