[ASA] SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AUSTRALIA December E-Bulletin

Sat Dec 1 23:40:33 AEDT 2012

The following (rather long) newsletter is from Science & Technology Australia:

Dear STA members and supporters

A note from the CEO:  
This will be the last e-bulletin you receive from me as I conclude my appointment as CEO of Science & Technology Australia.  
Thank you for your support and collaboration over the last three years.  It has been a tremendous pleasure and privilege working for Science & Technology Australia. 
Time and time again Australia's research community shows me what humility and tireless commitment look like.  Your perseverance and hard work make a difference to the lives and well being of so many and you have my deepest respect and support.
I'm sure I will have reason to continue to work with many of you in my new role as General Manager of Questacon – the National Science & Technology Centre.  I also look forward to continuing to work for the betterment of the science and technology sector.
Until I have my feet under my new desk, I can be reached on annamaria.arabia at gmail.com or 0412 940 921.
It is anticipated that my replacement will commence early in 2013.  Over the December period I ask for your patience as transitional arrangements will be in place to respond to members.  Professor Michael Holland, STA President, will be the primary contact person (mike.holland at uq.edu.au) and Gillian will be able to attend to inquiries regarding membership and financial matter (accounts at sta.org.au).
My very best wishes to you for a healthy and prosperous 2013.
Anna-Maria Arabia

In this E-Bulletin:

1. Preparing for the 2013 Federal Election – making science, maths and technology count – your input is sought on the development of STA's Federal Election Questionnaire/2013 Election Manifesto
2. National Conversation on Capturing the Benefits of Research in Australia
3. Newly elected STA Executive Committee Members
4. National Research Investment Plan released
5. REMINDER:  Careers in the Scientific Research Workforce Survey – deadline extended to 10 December 2012 
6. Australian Science Media Centre – Science Savvy – a useful resource for scientists who face the media
7.  Science meets Parliament 2013
8. Papers and Publications of interest
9. STA Christmas message and office shut down (STA office will be closed from Monday 17 December to Friday 4 January 2013)

________

1.  Preparing for the 2013 Federal Election – making science, maths and technology count – your input is sought on the development of STA's Federal Election Questionnaire/2013 Election Manifesto
At the STA AGM held on 23 November 2012, STA members discussed strategies to give the science sector a strong and united voice during the 2013 federal election year. With this in mind STA is leading several science and technology advocacy activities.  These are outlined in the attached paper together with a draft Election Manifesto - your input and comments are strongly encouraged and  requested by 31 January 2013.

2. National Conversation on Capturing the Benefits of Research in Australia 
On 14 August 2012, STA were amongst 26 people assembled at Government House, to hold a National Conversation on Capturing the Benefits of Research in Australia. The event was hosted by Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and was organised in consultation with Professor Brian Schmidt, 2011 Nobel Laureate of Physics. A summary of the National Conversation on Capturing the Benefits of Research in Australia is available on request.

3.  Newly elected STA Executive Committee members
The STA Executive Committee Members as elected on 23 Nov at the STA AGM are:

President: Professor Michael Holland
President- Elect: Dr Ross Smith
Vice-President: Claude Gauchat
Secretary: Dr Jeremy Brownlie
Treasurer: Professor Peter Adams
Chair, Policy- Committee: Assoc Prof Rebecca Ritchie
Early Career Scientist: Dr Enzo Porrello

Congratulations to all the newly elected Executive members.  Full Board and Executive details can be found here: 
http://scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/about-science-australia/governance-and-board/

4.  National Research Investment Plan

The National Research Investment Plan was developed by the Australian Research Committee (headed by the Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb) and was launched by Minister Chris Evans on 28 Nov 2012.
Further information including a copy of the report is available on the Department of Innovation's website: http://www.innovation.gov.au/Research/Pages/NationalResearchInvestmentPlan.aspx

The Plan seeks to support future decisions by the government in relation to the level and balance of research investment. The paper sets out a framework, in the form of a national research fabric, that seeks to enable the development of Australia’s research capacity and capability to be responsive to the needs of all sectors including business.  It also proposes a statement of strategic-research priorities that enables investment to be focused on meeting the government’s priorities.

5.  REMINDER:  Careers in the Scientific Research Workforce Survey – deadline extended to 10 December 2012 
Researchers at the University of Melbourne together with industry partners, the Bio21 Cluster, the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) and Science and Technology Australia (STA) have been awarded an Australian Research Council Linkage grant to investigate the experience of careers and career paths of those in the scientific workforce and make suggestions for improvements. 

As part of this project you are invited to participate in a survey examining careers in the biological sciences and chemistry related research workforce. 
You have received this survey because either you or your employer is a member or associate of one of the industry partners.

There has been a lot of discussion in the media about careers in science and about the sustainability of the scientific research workforce in Australia. Whilst a lot is known about careers in the academy, there is less knowledge about careers in the science workforce.

Your participation in this survey is voluntary and is anonymous. Results will be collected by the researchers and results reported in aggregate form only.  Survey results will be publicly available. The survey has ethics approval from The University of Melbourne and the contact person for the survey is the Project Coordinator, Robyn May (Robyn.May at unimelb.edu.au).
Whilst we are interested in the experiences of those currently working in the scientific research field, we are also interested in the experiences of those who are qualified, but no longer working in the field. If you have colleagues who fit this description, would you please forward the survey to them.
The survey can be accessed here, and should take no more than 20 minutes to complete:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/careersinscience
We look forward to receiving your response by 10 December 2012.
For more information about the research project, please click here:  http://education.unimelb.edu.au/news_and_activities/projects/careers_in_science

6. Australian Science Media Centre – Science Savvy – a useful resource for scientists who face the media
The Australian Science Media Centre has just launched a brand new free online tool to help scientists work with the news media and better inform public debate on the major issues of the day. Developed with support from CSIRO, Science Media Savvy.org provides tips and advice for understanding and dealing with the news media.
The resource features interviews with news journalists and editors, advice from researchers experienced in media and videos highlighting how to improve print and broadcast interview experiences. 

ScienceMediaSavvy.org is not designed to replace hands-on media skills workshops, instead it is a new tool that will help scientists who are unable to take the time or foot the cost of attending a course or for those who need a quick refresher. The instant online availability of Science Media Savvy.org will help fill a gap in terms of what is currently available to scientists, giving them advice on dealing with the media as they need it, from any internet-enabled computer, mobile phone or tablet.

A short video explaining what ScienceMediaSavvy.org is all about is available here.

7. Science meets Parliament 2013 is scheduled for 12 and 13 August in Canberra……unless of course a federal election is called around that date!
Enjoy this short video capturing what happens when 200 scientists meet 60 politicians at Science meets Parliament:  https://vimeo.com/50181483

8.  Papers and Publications of interest: 

A) Professor Doug Hilton, Director WEHI in conversation with the Hon Andrew Robb:
http://theconversation.edu.au/in-conversation-andrew-robb-research-must-back-our-strengths-10958?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+26+November+2012&utm_content=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+26+November+2012+CID_ddda7848a0d175ff19a3c819369670f2&utm_source=campaign_monitor&utm_term=In%20Conversation%20Andrew%20Robb%20research%20must%20back%20our%20strengths

B)  Advocating science to politicians 
You are encouraged to read a useful paper on science advocacy published in Cell.  While the paper refers to the importance of science advocacy for biologists, it could be applied to all scientific disciplines. : The Obligation for Biologists to Commit to Political Advocacy, Thomas D. Pollard Cell, Volume 151, Issue 2, 239-243, 12 October 2012 

C)  the Australian Council of the Deans of Science have published a report: "A Background in Science:  what science means for Australian society"  which can be downloaded here: http://www.acds.edu.au/docs/2012/BackgroundInScience.pdf

D) Choosing Science: a large scale national study seeking to understand the  on Year 10 students' decision to study science subjects in Year 11
http://www.une.edu.au/simerr/pages/projects/131choosingscience.php

E)  Starting out in STEM: A study of young men and women in first year science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses which investigates whether their experiences of these courses met their expectations, with a particular interest in the motivations and experiences of young women in male-dominated fields such as physics, IT and engineering. The report can be downloaded here: 
http://www.une.edu.au/simerr/pages/proje influences cts/132iris.php

F) The Science of Immunisation: Questions and Answers
Common myths about immunisation have been laid to rest in a comprehensive new booklet written by the nation’s top immunologists and published by the Australian Academy of Science. Devised by a national panel of experts in response to confusion created by contradictory information in the public domain, The Science of Immunisation: Questions and Answers explains the latest immunology science in accessible language. The Science of Immunisation: Questions and Answers is available for download from www.science.org.au/immunisation.html

_________________________________________________________________

Anna-Maria Arabia
Chief Executive Officer
Science & Technology Australia
Giving voice to Australian Science & Technology for over 27 years
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
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