Science meets parliament 2024- A missed opportunity.
Science Meets Parliament (SMP) is annual Australian event that was held in Canberra on the 20- 21 March 2024. This is an influential vehicle for person-to-person engagement between the worlds of science, industry and policymakers. This event gives Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) experts a deeper understanding of how to engage effectively with policymakers. And it helps policymakers to connect with key experts in science and technology. Only delegates attending from Science Technology Australia (STA) Member Organizations were invited to express their interest in having a meeting with a Parliamentarian. In 2024 there was over 360 delegates, more than 90 Parliamentarians taking part, 81 scheduled meetings with MPs and Senators, and a record-breaking 540 attendees at the gala dinner in the Great Hall at Australian Parliament House. More than half of attendees were early-career researchers, 60 per cent of delegates were women, and 3.5 per cent were First Nations STEM professionals. There were more than 50 speakers, including eminent scientists, Parliamentarians, and some of Australia's best science communicators and changemakers. Speakers covered a broad range of topics across 15+ sessions.
Much of the SMP topics focussed on social matters (gender, race, biology, environment, computer science). It seems the only program related to geoscience was an optional to attend the Australian Parliament House Geology Tour.
Dr Foley - Australia’s chief scientist, delivered a speech at the Science Meets Parliament 2024 Gala Dinner. Her full speech can be?downloaded as a PDF file The speech included some very brief passing references to ;
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One Delegates testimonial on their meetings with parliamentarians;
“I met with Minister Madeleine King and Mr. David Smith. Both my meetings went extremely well. I communicated the importance of geosciences in Australia and it was very well received by the parliamentarians. It was suggested to put forward my views at an online forum that is currently requesting Australian scientists for what they think the National Science Priorities should be. I really appreciated the opportunity to speak to them directly about issues important in my field of science. ”See; SMP2023_Report_230510.pdf (scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au)
The AusIMM 2018 Royal Charter states; “The purpose of the Institute is to advance the sciences applying to the minerals industry for the benefit of the community”. And this will be achieved through various approaches, including a) conducting education and research, g) informing the community about the minerals industry.
The Geological Society of Australia strategy for 2020 to 2030 to have Proactive?Standing Committees and Specialist Groups?which are regularly consulted by decision makers and?provide information and?analysis?on geoscience matters to all levels of government, their agencies and the wider community.
Therein it would seem appropriate for the AusIMM, AGC and other geoscience bodies to register in their own right with Science Technology Australia, and attend Science Meets Parliament, to stimulate discussion for, and on behalf of, the Australian geoscientist.
Minerals Council of Australia NT and President of the Geological Society of Australia
9 个月Hi Ian, there were many geoscientists in attendance at the 2024 Science Meets Parliament and there was plenty of discussion about the critical role of geoscience, minerals and materials for our high tech and low carbon future. The Australian Geoscience Council (AGC) also sponsor two early career goes to attend SMP each year which is a fantastic initiative to inspire and promote the next generation of geoscientists.