Science & Technology Australia

New newsletter! 📰 STA CEO Ryan Winn discusses Science Meets Parliament 2025, the upcoming strategic examination of R&S, and nominations for STA's Board closing soon! Plus, we wrap up everything you need about Australian science and technology policy developments. Give it a read and hit subscribe for more!

Save the date! Science Meets Parliament 2025 will take place 12–13 February 2025. Please mark it in your calendar now and ensure you're part of this transformative experience. This year marks 25 years of SMP – Australia's leading event for Australian STEM professionals to get career-boosting training, engagement with policymakers, and invaluable networking opportunities. Join us for this special milestone event to deepen your skills, expand your influence, and build lasting connections. Partner with us for this momentous occasion: https://lnkd.in/dq5Rifys

Huge congratulations to the 23 successful Cooperative Research Centres Projects grant recipients announced by Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic: https://lnkd.in/dd_AcwaU Among the recipients awarded more than $55 million in grants are companies developing an AI-enabled scanner to assess beef quality, one working on increasing the purity of alumina, and another creating a shared anchor to scale up offshore renewables. “These projects are working at the cutting edge of science and technology with potential to create the industries, products and services of tomorrow,” said STA CEO Ryan Winn. “We thank the Minister and government for this round of funding that will continue the push to create an Australia made by Australian ideas.” “It is targeted investments like these that drive genuine research translational activities between universities and industry. I implore Government to look deeply at programs like the CRC-P as part of the Strategic Examination of R&D Funding, when it starts, as case studies for success.” “Congratulations to all the successful grant recipients. We look forward to hearing more about all the exciting projects they are undertaking.” Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Australian Government

Yesterday was a busy day at Parliament House full of excitement with King Charles and Queen Camilla in the building, but, I was more excited for meeting another important person, Assistant Minsiter Tim Ayres - who is responsible for a Future Made in Australia. We need an Australian future built on Australia ideas and skills, so discussing how science and R&D can drive the development of new industries and transform existing ones with the Minister was deeply important. Having taken on this role less than 3 months ago, it was encouraging to see and understand his, and indeed our shared, strong commitment to harnessing innovation and research to build a more resilient and competitive future. I look forward to Science & Technology Australia and the Minister working together to shaping our ideas together! #Research #ResearchTranslation #FutureMadeInAustralia

Science & Technology Australia is on the lookout for visionary leaders to join our Board and President-elect positions. This is your chance to come on a journey with me and the rest of the Board to drive impactful change in Australia’s science and tech landscape. Nominations close on 1 November. If you’re passionate about STEM leadership and innovation, I’m happy to grab a virtual or in-person coffee to explore the roles and your interests. Details of expectations, roles and eligibility are on the STA website. https://lnkd.in/ga3cpKtm

We welcome today's publication of The Australian Innovation Statistics from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. Its insights provide further evidence to swiftly establish the Terms of Reference and Panel for the strategic examination of R&D system announced in May 2024. The Australian Innovation Statistics highlight that while government investment in R&D has increased over the last year, private sector investment is flatlining, and in some cases decreasing. Fewer large firms are now 'innovation-active'. The latest data builds on recent reports which also emphasise the importance of the strategic review, including the R&D Tax Incentive Transparency Report, the Survey of Commercialisation Outcomes from Public Research, and The Australian IP Report. "We thank the Department for this useful data. It strongly highlights the urgency of establishing the Terms of Reference for the strategic examination of R&D and getting on with the job of building the conditions business needs to have the confidence to invest in R&D," said STA CEO Ryan Winn. "We look forward to the terms of reference and engaging further with the department about how to use the economy-boosting power of R&D to create the future the country wants and needs, and ensure we're not getting left behind by our international competitors." https://lnkd.in/gRyfkpNf

The new newsletter is out! 📰 In this issue, STA CEO Ryan Winn discusses PM's Prize for Science winners, the new First Nations prize announcement, and nominations for STA's Board. Plus, we wrap up everything you need about Australian science and technology policy developments. Give it a read and hit subscribe for more!

STA is delighted to see the incredible scientific contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will be recognised through a new award in the Prime Minister's Prizes for Science. The new award was announced yesterday by Minister for Science and Industry Ed Husic MP and Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator Malarndirri McCarthy. The inaugural prize in the new category will be awarded in the 2025 Prime Minister's Science Prizes. "This new award will place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scientific knowledge alongside western scientific knowledge in the country's most prestigious science prizes," said STA CEO Ryan Winn. "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." https://lnkd.in/gpzAqevs

Huge congratulations to all the winners in the Prime Minister's Prizes for Science 2024, announced last night. The prizes recognise the achievements of Australian scientists and innovators, and highlight the extraordinary work being done by the country's STEM sector. Well done to 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), Professor Andrew F Wilks and Dr Chris Burns (PM's Prize for Innovation), and Professor Matthew Bailes (PM's Prize for Science). Read more about these incredible scientists and innovators here: https://lnkd.in/ghvUgGvX

Always will be a Superstar of STEM, lovely to catchup with Dr Parwinder Kaur at Old Parliament House ahead of the PM’s Science Prizes tonight. She is amazing example of science leadership, with a passion for building science literacy in schools, the public and parliaments. Growing up in Western Australia I know all too well the tyranny of distance between Australia’s wide lands, from east to west, north to south. We need to ensure insights, learnings and solutions are national wide, and bi-directional, Canberra is not the centre of the discussion. This is no more stark than in STEM school outcomes, as the poorer results and more complex and unique solutions are needed in regional and remote areas. I can’t wait to celebrate the winners of the various science awards tonight, including the science teachers who are seeking to inspire our future generations of science leaders in research and businesses. So glad you made the trip over from Perth Parwinder to join this important national celebration of science. #SuperstarOfSTEM Lucy Guest