PM's Prize for Science winners and new prize announcement, and STA Board Nominations: Your update on science and technology policy and advocacy

It was a thrill this week to be at the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science awards at Parliament House and to see so many incredible scientists and innovators recognised for their outstanding contributions. Enormous congratulations to Professor Matthew Bailes who won the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science for the co-discovery of the first fast radio bursts in 2007. This incredible discovery – which also won Professor Bailes the Shaw Prize last year – has significantly advanced scientific understanding of the universe and how much normal matter exists there.

Congratulations also to winners Distinguished Professor Tianyi Ma (Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year), Professor Britt Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg (Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of The Year), Dr Andrew Horsley (Prize for New Innovators), Alice Leung (PM's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching and Secondary Schools), Daniel Edwards (PM's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools), and Professor Andrew F Wilks and Dr Chris Burns (PM's Prize for Innovation). The PM’s Prizes recognise outstanding Australian scientists and innovators, and highlight the powerful and world-leading work being done by the country’s STEM sector.?

We are also delighted the incredible scientific contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will be recognised through a new award in next year’s Prime Minister's Prizes. The new award was announced by Minister for Science and Industry Ed Husic MP and Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator Malarndirri McCarthy . It will place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scientific knowledge alongside western scientific knowledge in the country's most prestigious science prizes. On behalf of the 225,000 scientists and technologists STA represents, we congratulate and thank the Ministers for this announcement, and look forward to seeing incredible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scientists celebrated through the PM's Prizes for Science. The guidelines for the new prize will be determined following further engagement by the Government with First Nations stakeholders.

We were delighted to hear from ARC Chief Research Officer Professor Christina Twomey at our STA Member Webinar last week. Professor Twomey joined us to talk to members about recent changes at the ARC, current priorities and areas of focus for the organisation, and common misunderstandings around ARC grants. STA holds regular webinars on issues affecting the STEM sector as part of our superb Member Benefits program. Want to tap into the sectoral know-how and skill-building of our Member Webinars and join more than 225,000 STEM professionals? Find out more about membership here - https://scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/become-a-member/ .?

Huge congratulations to former STA President Professor Professor Emma Johnston AO FAA FTSE , who has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne . Professor Johnston was President of STA from 2017–2019, a period of substantial growth for the organisation, and is one of Australia's great science leaders. She’s a superb choice to lead one of its great universities. Her work with STA was transformative and under her leadership the organisation grew powerfully both in membership size and in influence. We are thrilled she has been appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne and look forward to continuing to engage with her in this new role.?

Finally, a reminder that STA will hold its AGM on 14 November and nominations are open for President-Elect and two Board Director positions. In the Board Director positions we’re particularly keen to get nominations from eligible STEM sector professionals with expertise in government relations and advocacy, STEM sector leaderships, and business development and strategy. You can read more about the nomination process here and nominations close on 1 November. Please do put yourself forward if you’d like to be part of the organisation’s growing influence and success – we'd love to hear from you.?

All the best,

Ryan Winn

CEO, Science & Technology Australia

REPORTS AND POLICY

• The Senate Committee for Education and Employment issued reports for inquiries into the ESOS Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024 and the Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024.?
• The Australian Government announced a second consecutive budget surplus .?
• The Joint Standing Committee on Migration released its report for the Migration, Pathway to Nation Building inquiry .??
• The Shadow Minister for Government Waste Reduction issued a media release on ARC grants .?
• The Cyber Security Bill 2024 and the Security of Critical Infrastructure and Other Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Response and Prevention) Bill 2024 were introduced to the House of Representatives.??
• The Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler announced the retirement of Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly .??
• Times Higher Education released the 2024 World University Rankings .?
• The OECD - OCDE issued a report on eliminating plastic pollution .?
• The ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes released Understanding Net Zero .? ?

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUBMISSIONS

• The Australian Government Department of Education is conducting consultations to inform the National Digital Research Infrastructure Investment Plan . The survey closes 24 October.?
• The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water calls for input on the Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy . There are three targeted consultations with closing dates in late October and early November.?

GRANTS, FUNDING AND OPPORTUNITIES

• STEM Sisters Women of Colour in STEM Awards nominations close 14 October. Nominate (or self-nominate) a woman of colour who is making a difference in STEM now.
• Australian Science Innovations is looking for STEM Coaches to support its Curious Minds – Girls in STEM program —a six-month hands-on extension and mentoring program for girls in years 8 and 9. Apply by 21 October.?
• Women in STEMM Australia has announced four new locations for its STEMM Strolls. STEMM Strolls is an initiative to bring STEMM students and professionals together in regional areas. Upcoming Strolls: Townsville 29 October , Ballarat 30 October , Sunshine Coast 1 November and Bendigo 1 November . Registration is essential.?
• The Australian Maths Trust is recruiting for key roles in their European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad and European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics program, including team leader and deputy team leader positions. Email [email protected] to request the position descriptions and apply before 25 October.?
• The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is calling for expressions of interest to fill a position on the Great Artesian Basin Stakeholder Advisory Committee . Applications close 28 October.?
• AINSE Ltd. is hosting its 8th WISE School for first-year undergraduate women in STEM to explore their career opportunities within nuclear science and engineering. Expressions of Interest for online places are open until 31 October.??
• Round 2 of the Singapore–Australia Go-Green Co-Innovation Program is now open. Applications close on 14 November.??
• The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has opened applications for First Nations International Fellowships and Partnerships Grants until 22 November.
• The Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (formerly NCSEHE) (ACSES) has opened applications for the ACSES Visiting Scholars Program. Apply before 29 November.?

MEMBER NEWS

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