News bulletin

Brain box lifts the lids on scientist’s motivation

What makes a neuroscientist tick? Dr Bernadette Fitzgibbon studies how pain works in the brain. It’s fascinating stuff, so get to know her through our brand new Brain Box interview.

EMCR Forum response to the ACOLA Research Training Review consultation

The Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) is currently conducting a review of research training. Consultation for the review has now closed. You can read all the submissions to the consultation including the EMCR Forum’s submission. ACOLA will be running a number of public consultation events in all capital cities to discuss the review. It is free to attend, but you must register on their website.

2016 Clunies Ross Awards nominations open

The Clunies Ross Awards recognise contributions by dedicated individuals to the application of technology for the benefit of Australia. The awards are administered by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. This year the three award categories are:

  • Clunies Ross Entrepreneur of the Year Award for those who have been responsible for the creation of a product or service with a financially successful outcome, in either an early stage or mature company environment with demonstrated impact for Australia.
  • Clunies Ross Knowledge Commercialisation Award for those who have been responsible for a technology which has been commercialised, most likely by licensing, with a financially successful outcome.
  • Clunies Ross Innovation Award for those who have been responsible for the adoption of a technology, at a stage where the financial outcomes are yet to be realised and/or the benefits are of a measurable broad community nature.

Nomination guidelines and the nomination form are online. Applications close 30 October.

Can you help bring science to a pub near you?

Are you interested in sharing science with the public? Do you enjoy relaxing with friends at the pub?

If the answer to both questions is YES, then Pint of Science Australia is for you!

Pint of science ... aims to showcase the amazing research of local scientists to the general public in the relaxed venue of the local pub.

Pint of science is an international festival that aims to showcase the amazing research of local scientists to the general public in the relaxed venue of the local pub. In May 2015, the festival expanded to include Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane hosting fantastic events over three nights.

For 2016, Pint of science wants to expand to include more themes and cities across Australia—and they need you!

Themes for 2016 will incorporate: Beautiful mind (neurosciences), Atoms to galaxies (physics, chemistry), Our body (life sciences), Planet earth (geosciences) and Tech me out (engineering, computer science).

Pint of science is looking for volunteers for various roles: as city coordinators, team coordinators, social media reps and fundraisers. Each team will source a venue, speakers and activities for the night.

This is an incredible opportunity to be a part of an ever-growing festival. If you are interested in getting involved, email contact@pintofscience.com.au with what you’re keen to do, a little bit about yourself and your contact details.

Buzz Aldrin: Mission to Mars

The Australian Academy of Science is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Live on Stage Australia to bring Buzz Aldrin to the Australian stage for two shows: in Sydney on Friday 27 November and Melbourne on Sunday 29 November.

Mission to Mars will take a journey with Buzz through space history and into a future beyond Earth. It will relive his missions, from fighter pilot in Korea, to the world’s first successful record-setting complex space walk, and the historic Apollo 11 Moon landing where, together with Neil Armstrong, Buzz became one of the first two humans to set foot on another world.

Now Buzz is on a new mission: to land humans on Mars by 2035. Hosted by Ray Martin, and using stunning images and footage from Buzz Aldrin’s personal library of material, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see and learn from a legend of space exploration.

Purchase your ticket today through the Academy’s dedicated secure link for a special 5 per cent discount on fully priced adult tickets. By purchasing your ticket through this link, you are also supporting the important science education and outreach work of the Academy: it receives 5 per cent of proceeds for all ticket sales.

Opportunity to work in France

Through the scholarship program Jean d’Alembert, the Paris-Saclay excellence initiative invites scientists from around the world to make long stays (from six to 12 months) in one of the laboratories within its jurisdiction. Scientists from all disciplines and countries are eligible.

Two different programs are offered: one for researchers who have obtained their doctorate within the last 10 years, and one for experienced researchers.

Candidates are selected on the basis of the quality of their scientific dossier and proposed project. There are multiple submission times throughout the year; the next is 31 December 2015.

Opportunity for your institute to join the Academy’s Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) pilot

Women comprise more than half of science PhD graduates and early-career researchers, but just 17 per cent of senior academics in Australian universities and research institutes. The Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative is a program of activities designed to improve gender equity in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) sectors. In November 2014 the Academy hosted the SAGE Forum to understand areas of critical impact on gender equity in STEM. A key proposal of this forum was to undertake an Australian pilot of the Athena SWAN Charter, a UK program to evaluate, address and provide accreditation on gender equity policies.

In September 2015, the Australian Academy of Science launched a two-year pilot of the Athena SWAN Charter involving 32 Australian universities, medical research institutes and government science organisations.

Visit the list of participating institutions to find out if your organisation is involved. If your institution would like to participate in the SAGE pilot, a second round of applications will be open in June 2016. You can contact the SAGE Project Manager,  Dr Zuleyka Zevallos for further information.

Invitation to ‘Science meets Labor’ networking event

The Labor Science Network (LSN) is proud to present the Science meets Labor inaugural LSN networking event hosted by Daniel Mookhey MLC, with special guest Jason Clare MP, Shadow Minister for Communications. 

Experts and scientists from all disciplines are invited to join NSW Labor MPs and policy-makers for a networking evening at NSW State Parliament on 18 November. The event will provide an opportunity for experts and scientists to:

  • connect with policy-makers and shadow ministers regarding cutting-edge ideas in their fields
  • raise issues relevant to their research and sectors, including funding and strategic direction
  • discuss how to prioritise science within the community
  • input their ideas into Labor’s evidence-based policy agenda for NSW.

The evening will consist of short remarks by Daniel, Jason and science representatives, followed by an opportunity for scientists and experts to discuss their research and policy imperatives with NSW Labor MPs and other policy-makers, including rank-and-file members, over light refreshments.

If you would like to attend, RSVP to secure your place.

Interested in hosting a local event for EMCRs?

The EMCR Forum supports local events, such as the recent presentations by Professor Michael Breadmore (Hobart), Professor Peter Klinken (Perth), and Professor Rob Robinson (Sydney), at universities around Australia. If you have a great idea and are interested in hosting such an event, then let us know via email or Twitter @EMCRForum

Brilliant quotes about science

To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science.

Albert Einstein


EMCR Pathways Issue 5 October 2015

© 2024 Australian Academy of Science

Top