Science & Technology Australia
Communications to SSAI Members
STA (Science & Technology Australia) is the peak body for science and technology in Australia. STA represents the interests of some 68,000 Australian scientists and technologists. STA works to influence science and technology policy for the economic, environmental and social benefit of Australia.
The SSAI is a member of STA, and as a result regularly receives information from STA to be forwarded to all members of SSAI. Not all members wish to receive these communications by email, so this page has been set up for those members who are interested in reading about STA. Please check this page regularly to remain up-to-date on any developments in the science and technology policy.
Government gets the smarts: maths and science education recognised in Federal Budget (8 May 2012)
Science & Technology Australia welcomes the strategic investment in science and maths education and measures to boost funding for science and research in the 2012/13 Federal Budget.
“I commend the Chief Scientist on his comprehensive recommendations to the Prime Minister which have brought about the measures that recognise the critical role science and maths play in our future prosperity, said Professor Michael Holland, STA President.
“Skilled science and technology professionals are a critical component of innovation and a knowledge based economy.
“So many industries rely on a workforce with science and maths skills. We know that a robust manufacturing industry and the mining sector rely on scientists and engineers.
“I am pleased to see that the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council have also had their funding protected.
“While the budget measures are welcome and necessary, Australia must get better at converting its research strength into innovations that fuel the economy and improve our quality of life.
“The commercialisation of Australian research that has lead to WiFi technology has already earned the nation ($420m) 3 times the amount of additional money invested in science and research in this Budget alone ($126m).
“Australia’s greatest resources are more likely to be found above ground that below it.
“It’s time we made good of Australian genius and developed a strong commercialisation environment that includes a well-developed innovation strategy; better collaboration between researchers and industry; strategic investments to support the development of new technologies; and measures to forge strategic partnership with our international counterparts.”
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Media contact: Anna-Maria Arabia 0412 940 921
Released: 8 May 2012
www.sta.org.au
www.respectthescience.org.au
Science & Technology Australia appoints new President (24/11/2011)
Today Professor Michael Holland commenced his two-year term as President of the Science & Technology Australia.
In commencing his term Professor Holland said the role of science in the creation of wealth and well being needs to become more overt.
We must articulate to Australians very clearly the value science has for the nation”.
“The three-way partnership between government, science and industry needs to be re-invigorated”.
Professor Holland paid tribute to the work of Dr Cathy Foley, who concluded her term today.
"Cathy has made an extraordinary contribution to STA and the science sector more broadly.
“Cathy has shown great leadership at a time when the validity and integrity of science has unfortunately been placed under question.
“I intend on pursuing this issue actively”.
Professor Holland is supported by a skilled Executive Committee:
· Vice President Dr Ross Smith
· Treasurer Professor Peter Adams
· Secretary Mr Claude Gauchat
· Head of Policy Associate Professor Rebecca Ritchie
· Early Career Scientist Dr Rachel Popelka-Filcoff
· Ordinary Member Dr Marc Duldig
Membership of Science & Technology Australia’s Board can be viewed at: www.sta.org.au
Professor Holland is currently the Deputy Head of the School of Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland. Professor Holland has worked with various Cooperative Research Centres and continues to work at the interface of research and industry. Professor Holland worked at CSIRO for 11 years and has spent 16 years in the United States working on the human and animal applications of stem cells. Professor Holland is a member of scientific societies in Australia and abroad and is the immediate past president of the Society for Reproductive Biology.
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Media contact: Cathy Bryson 0433 552 274
Released: 24 November 2011
Please find below the September edition of the STA newsletter.
In the September edition:
- IMPORTANT DIARY NOTE: “HELPING SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES PROPSER “ - workshop for STA Members only
- Free media training opportunities for STA members
- STA in the media
- ERA UPDATE: ARC Excellence in Research in Australia consultation
- NHMRC Discussion Paper: Economic benefits of health and medical research
- STA members leading by example – CRC Association
- Academy of Science President, Professor Susanne Cory, National Press Club Address
- Academy of Science Symposium
- $70,000 The Australian Innovation Challenge awards
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1. IMPORTANT DIARY NOTE: “HELPING SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES PROPSER “ - workshop for STA Members only
On Wednesday 23 November 2011, the day before the STA Annual General Meeting in Canberra, STA will be holding a workshop for its members designed to provide training and tips to assist scientific societies grow and operate with greater ease. Many STA members have reported the difficulties of managing databases and websites as societies grow as well as improving fundraising and conference management, particularly when society operations rely on volunteers. This workshop is aimed at assisting societies proposer, sharing knowledge and best practice. We have planned this event on the day before the AGM so the many Society Presidents and office bearers in Canberra at that time can take advantage of the opportunity. Given that this coincides with a parliamentary sitting week, I encourage you to book your accommodation early.
2. Free media training opportunities for STA members
Over the next 12 months STA will provide 8 complimentary media training courses (to the value of $814 each) to its members.
The courses are run in Australian capital cities by Science in Public.
Places are available in Melbourne on Tuesday 4 October and Wednesday 2 November; and in Canberra on Friday 14 October.
Details and future media training dates are available at www.scienceinpublic.com.au/training
Please note that depending on demand, places may be limited to two per course.
To express your interest in attending the forthcoming media training courses, please email me on annamaria.arabia@sta.org.au
3. STA in the Media
Science & Technology Australia and the Respect the Science Campaign featured on the ABC’s Catalyst on Thursday 8 September. If you missed the show, you can watch it here:
http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3313559.htm
We have been working with the talented team at the University of NSW to reach wider audiences about the importance of science. Tune in to the latest episodes of the Steaming Toad which include the legendary HG Nelson and his team here: http://www.youtube.com/user/steamingtoad
The latest episodes takes a closer look at STA and Respect the Science: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zteRsqN9nuk
And the science of climate denial with Haydn Washington: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdE9WIs7OtE
4. ERA UPDATE: ARC Excellence in Research in Australia consultation
The ARC has incorporated feedback received during the journal list public consultation phase held between 14 February – 4 April 2011 to develop the draft ERA 2012 Journal List.
Draft Journal List - Excel Format can be downloaded here: http://www.arc.gov.au/xls/era12/ERA2012DraftJournalList.xls (5.15MB)
The ARC will accept comments on the draft ERA 2012 Journal List until 4pm (AEST), Monday 19 September 2011 via email to era@arc.gov.au.
All comments must be accompanied by the ERA ID, journal title and ISSN as shown in the list.
The ARC will consider corrections to journal titles and ISSNs where written evidence, a scanned copy of the journal’s title page, publishing details page or a web link to the source of the information is provided.
To be eligible for inclusion in the list, journals must publish original, scholarly research, have peer review policies acceptable to the discipline, have an ISSN and have been active between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2010. The ARC will consider comments suggesting the removal of journals that do not meet these criteria, where an explanation and supporting information is provided.
The ARC will consider changes to FoR codes where an explanation is provided outlining why at least 30% of the journal’s content is relevant to the suggested FoR code(s). Please keep in mind that, in ERA 2012, institutions have the opportunity of assigning journal articles to the FoR of their choice where at least 66% of the article relates to an FoR not pre-assigned to the journal. Please note that FoR codes are not listed in any order of importance or relevance.
Between 14 February – 21 March 2011, members of the public had the opportunity to suggest new journals for addition to the Journal List. These suggestions were then made available for public consultation. Please note that the ARC is not accepting nominations for new journals, as there will be no opportunity to seek public comment on the eligibility of these journals.
Please note that all information in the ERA 2012 Journal List applies to the reference period 1 January 2005 – 31 December 2010. This means, for example, journals that commenced in 2011 will not be included, or journals may be shown by the previous title if the journal title changed in 2011.
5. NHMRC Discussion Paper: Economic benefits of health and medical research
The CEO of the NHMRC released a discussion paper (9 Sept 2011) “Economic benefits of health and medical research – a discussion paper” on the economic benefits to Australia from public investment in health and medical research, including impacts on the national economy, productivity, commercial returns, and investment by international funding bodies. NHMRC invites ideas, comments and feedback on this discussion paper to be sent to feedback.ceo@nhmrc.gov.au. The discussion paper can be downloaded here: http://bit.ly/pBbgFN
6. STA members leading by example
The CRC Association has also been working hard to reach wider audiences. If you or your networks have ever wondered what the CRCs are and do, just click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTLPULk6ugw&sns=em
7. Academy of Science President, Professor Susanne Cory National Press Club Address
Academy of Science President Prof Susanne Cory will deliver an address to the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra on 28 September 2011 “Driving Australia’s economic future through robust science education” www.npc.org.au/speakers/professor-suzanne-corey.html
8. Academy of Science Symposium
The Academy of Science is holding a symposium on 26 and 27 September: Geoengineering the Climate? A Southern Hemisphere Perspective. This Symposium is open to the public. For further information please visit: http://www.science.org.au/events/index.html
9. $70,000 The Australian Innovation Challenge awards
Entries for the $70,000 The Australian Innovation Challenge awards – aimed at finding Australia’s next big inventions in fields ranging from clean energy technology through agriculture to astronomy – close on Wednesday, September 28.
Run by The Australian newspaper in association with Shell and supported by the Commonwealth Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the awards will help drive some of the nation’s best ideas to commercialisation or execution. Details of the awards and the online entry form can be found at the awards website www.theaustralian.com.au/innovationchallenge.
The awards, which are open to individuals and teams, recognise innovation purely for the public good as well as breakthroughs with commercial potential. The seven professional categories reflect Australia’s national research priorities. The categories are: environment; health; agriculture and food; minerals and energy; ICT; education and manufacturing and hi-tech design (designs either taken up in Australia or exported). Many of the categories also cover enabling technology, such as nanotechnology, advanced materials and biotechnology.
CSIRO deputy chairman Terry Cutler, who led the federal government’s 2008 review of the national innovation system, is chairing the judging panel. Australian Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb and Emeritus Professor Denise Bradley, who chaired the federal government’s 2008 review of the higher education system, are also among the judges.
Best wishes,
Anna-Maria
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Anna-Maria Arabia
Chief Executive Officer
Science & Technology Australia
26 years of science advocacy in Australia
www.sta.org.au
www.respectthescience.org.au
T: 02 6257 2891
M: 0412 940 921
F: 02 6257 2897
PO Box 259
Canberra City ACT 2601
