Academy Fellow Professor Brian Schmidt recommends The Glass Universe by Dava Sobel

There’s nothing like fully immersing yourself in a good book—so what do Australia’s top scientific minds recommend you read this holiday season?

The Australian Academy of Science’s second Annual Christmas Reading List, released today, contains 31 favourite reads submitted by the Academy’s Fellows.

Representatives of some of the world’s major brain research projects met recently. Attendees included (from left) Professor Andrew Holmes (host), Professor Linda Richards, Dr Caroline Montojo, Dr Christoph Ebell, Professor Rafael Yuste, Professor Shigeo Okabe, Professor Sung-Jin Jeong, Professor Hideyuki Okano and Dr James Deshler.
Deakin University’s Dr Rangam Rajkhowa has been awarded a 2018–19 Australia–India EMCR Fellowship.

Australian scientists researching emerging mosquito-borne diseases, drug resistant tuberculosis and childhood type 1 diabetes are among the latest recipients of 2018–19 Australia–India Early- and Mid-Career Researcher (EMCR) Fellowships announced today by the Australian Academy of Science.

The Australian Academy of Science welcomes the Australian Government’s commitment to fund a much-needed upgrade to Australia’s national supercomputer in today’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO).

The National Computational Infrastructure has received $69.2 million funding in 2017/18 and $0.8 million in 2018/19.

Secretary for Science Policy at the Academy, Professor David Day, said a new supercomputer is a critical piece of Australia’s economic, social and scientific infrastructure.

The National Computational Infrastructure has received $69.2 million funding in 2017/18 and $0.8 million in 2018/19.

The Australian Academy of Science welcomes the Australian Government’s commitment to fund a much-needed upgrade to Australia’s national supercomputer in today’s Mid-Year and Economic Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO).

The Australian Academy of Science welcomes newly appointed Assistant Minister for Science, Jobs and Innovation, Senator Zed Seselja, and congratulates Minister Michaelia Cash on her appointment as Minister for Jobs and Innovation.

While welcoming the appointments Academy President Professor Andrew Holmes said it was disappointing to see science removed from the title of the Ministerial portfolio and assigned to the outer Ministry.

The Australian Academy of Science welcomes newly appointed Assistant Minister for Science, Jobs and Innovation, Senator Zed Seselja, and congratulates Minister Michaelia Cash on her appointment as Minister for Jobs and Innovation.

While welcoming the appointments Academy President Professor Andrew Holmes said it was disappointing to see science removed from the title of the Ministerial portfolio and assigned to the outer Ministry.

Professor Michelle Simmons, 2018 Australian of the Year. Photo: L’Oréal Group Professor Graham Farquhar AO, 2018 Senior Australian of the Year.
Professor Jennifer Martin AC was one of 10 Academy Fellows to be recognised with an Australia Day honour.

The Australian Academy of Science congratulates its 10 Fellows who are among the 895 Australians recognised in the Australia Day 2018 Honours List.

The Australian Academy of Science welcomes the release of Australia 2030: Prosperity Through Innovation plan, prepared by Innovation and Science Australia.

The 2030 Plan correctly identifies the importance of taking a strategic approach to developing our national STEM capability, and makes a number of constructive recommendations, such as strengthening training for pre- and in-service teachers, better preparing students for post-school STEM occupations, and lifting student outcomes in literacy and numeracy (which should include the STEM disciplines).

© 2025 Australian Academy of Science

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