In the lead-up to the Budget, STA has been pressing the case once again for a major push on research translation and commercialisation. We published our submission to the current taskforce in the Department of Education, and generated strongly positive media coverage and stakeholder support. 

The story was covered in Campus Morning Mail, InnovationAus and AuManufacturing - and we deployed our key team on the communications strategy. I was interviewed on ABC Newsradio, our President-elect Mark Hutchinson spoke to Fran Kelly on ABC RN Breakfast, and our President Jeremy Brownlie had this piece published in The Australian.

Next Tuesday, the STA team will monitor the Budget closely on the night, and produce rapid public comment. We’ll also deliver further analysis at our special STA members-only briefing on Friday May 14. Please register ASAP if you haven’t yet done so and are keen to attend.

This week we also announced STA’s newest group of STEM Ambassadors. Now in its third cohort, the program offers STEM professionals from STA member organisations the chance to build a productive ongoing relationship with a federal Parliamentarian. We are excited to introduce the new group to you.

STA continues to focus strongly on the issues of job security and safeguarding our STEM workforce as pandemic continues to be felt. We are especially concerned about the impact on those on fixed term contracts, given the anticipated ongoing pressure on university finances, including many early career researchers. 

And as Reconciliation Week approaches later this month, we also encourage members to consider how to mark this important annual event with further progress on Indigenous advancement. It was inspiring to listen to some of the cluster group discussions for this quarter on how member organisations are working on this key goal.

Until next time, 

Misha Schubert 
CEO, Science & Technology Australia 


NEW REPORTS AND POLICY CHANGES OF INTEREST TO STA MEMBERS

• The Australian Council of Deans of Information & Communications Technology released a report on intervention programs that can influence first year female students to choose ICT degrees.
• The Mitchell Institute released a report on international students being stuck in transit.
• The Parliamentary Budget Office released a report on long-term budget scenarios.
• The Australia Institute released a report on fossil fuel subsidisation in Australia. It amounts to $19,686/minute
• AAMRI released a report on the benefits of medical research.
• Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has given a pre-budget speech which has set the scene for more spending.
• The OECD released a report on whether 15-year olds are able to distinguish fake-news.
• Minister Tudge had an op-ed on the proposed national curriculum changes.
• This year’s STEM Equity Monitor Report was published.
• Universities Australia released a briefing on its 2021 Budget requests.

Further information: Peter Derbyshire, STA Policy Manager - peter.derbyshire@sta.org.au


STA MEMBERS-ONLY BUDGET BRIEFING

As a benefit to STA members, STA will host a post-Budget briefing in the week of the May Budget - which is handed down on Tuesday 11 May. This session will cover STEM-related announcements in the Budget, and share additional information on how proposed measures may affect the STEM sector, and next steps for engagement or consultation on any Budget announcements.

Date: Friday 14 May
Time: 11am-12noon AEST
Fee: This online event will be free and only open to STA members – with up to two attendees per member organisation. please RSVP here. 


AUDIT OF THE MEDICAL RESEARCH FUTURE FUND

The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) is assessing whether the Department of Health is effectively managing the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). Science & Technology Australia would like to use this opportunity to get feedback from our membership to inform our response. We invite you to provide feedback using this form by 17 May.

Further information: Peter Derbyshire, STA Policy Manager - peter.derbyshire@sta.org.au
 

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU FOR OUR EXCITING NEW PROJECT 
 
Do you have a STEM idea, technology, innovation, product or program that could become a reality if you could just source some financial support or even just some key introductions? Then we want to hear from you. STA is launching a new project where we’ll aim to highlight activities and ideas that need some level of extra support to get them to the next stage, whether that is government funding, industry collaboration, or commercialisation. We’ll tell you more about this exciting project in a future Member Update, but for now, send us your pitches! Get in contact with our Communications Manager, Martyn Pearce.


STA MEMBER EVENTS OF INTEREST

• National Youth Science Forum 2022 Year 12 program applications close on 2 July. If you know a STEM enthusiast currently in Year 11 encourage them to apply. 
• Plastics – are they a problem, benefit or a game-changer? Join RACI’s 10-part virtual series exploring innovations, challenges, sustainable uses, recycling and the future of plastics. The series runs until August. Register here.
• ARPS 2021 Conference: Legacy and Innovation in Radiation Protection - 13 – 16 September 2021, Canberra Rex Hotel. Enrich your understanding of non-ionising and ionising radiation safety, highlight the importance of effective communication and stakeholder involvement on radiation safety, highlight new technologies and generate discussion across a broad range of radiation protection. 

To add a conference or event: contact STA Events & Membership Manager Lucy Guest – lucy.guest@sta.org.au


GRANTS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES     

• Entrepreneurs' Programme - Accelerating Commercialisation – Ongoing.
• The annual Australian Academy of Science awards are now open. The awards shine a light on researchers who are making outstanding contributions to science in Australia. 
• The Academy also recently expanded its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientists award, which now covers research funding as well as travel up to $20,000. Apply by 1 June.
• Grants are still available in some states for National Science Week events. If you are in the ACT apply by 9 May, in SA apply by 14 May.

STA MEMBER STORIES 

The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are open for application! This year there are 16 prizes on offer across the categories of Research and Innovation, Leadership, Science Engagement, and School Science. Prizes cover a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines and aim to recognise the work of scientists, researchers, and science communicators at all career stages. There is a prize pool of $160,000 to be shared between winners. Entries close at 7pm AEST on Friday 28 May.