[ASA] Fwd: STA Member Update | 10 September 2021

[John Lattanzio]

Dear colleagues
   here is the latest news from Science and Technology Australia (STA). The
ASA Is a member organisation of STA.

   Note that there is a call for membership of the Executive. Please
contact me if you are interested in this role.

   Please ignore the member survey - the ASA is already working on this.

   But please do complete the Women in STEMM survey.

   Stay safe everyone

   John Lattanzio

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Misha Schubert <ceo at sta.org.au>
Date: Fri, 10 Sept 2021 at 13:11
Subject: STA Member Update | 10 September 2021
To: john.lattanzio at monash.edu <john.lattanzio at monash.edu>




*The STA Member Update is sent to the leadership of member organisations.
You can forward to your executive and membership.*

Dear John,

One of STA’s greatest strengths is the breadth and diversity of our
membership. While other policy and advocacy organisations represent
segments of this sector, the STA community’s unique role and reach enables
us to bring together a combined STEM sector view. This breadth and our role
as the key connector for the STEM sector has been powerfully in evidence in
recent months.

One of the issues of greatest concern across the sector is the continuing
toll of this pandemic on jobs and job security. Next month, Science &
Technology Australia and Professional Scientists Australia will release the
2021 results from our annual workplace survey of scientists’ working
conditions. In member catch-ups, we’ve heard further examples of closures
and cuts in STEM departments and disciplines. We are gathering these
examples to highlight these issues further as part of our advocacy around
the release of the survey. Please get in touch <ceo at sta.org.au> if you have
further examples you can share - especially if they could be referenced in
our media pitching for the survey release.

We’re also supporting and coordinating with member organisations providing
input to the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure roadmap
process. And we continue to engage over the Australian Research Council
policies on pre-print citations. Yesterday the Audit Office also released
its report on the Medical Research Future Fund
<https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/department-health->. We
were pleased to see the Department of Health agreed to implement all of the
report’s recommendations. STA’s submission on further steps to improve MRFF
transparency
<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/tIiwCQnMBZfkYGp5yuxzyDp?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au>
are here - we will continue to advocate for them.

The diversity and breadth of our membership is also crucial in STA’s
governance. Nominations have opened for election for three roles on our
Board - covering Aquatic Sciences, Medical and Cognitive Sciences, and
General Sciences. Nominations also open today for Executive Committee
roles. We strongly encourage candidates from a wide diversity of
demographics and disciplines to nominate. In particular, noting our
commitments under our Reconciliation Action Plan, we especially encourage
nominations from First Nations people in STEM. Here’s how to nominate.
<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/oz0NCROND2uvx91AzcNj4tF?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au>

A final call for you to send superb candidates our way for STA’s
influential Director of Policy and Engagement
<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/_rUlCVARKgCxYr6DRiyHJFN?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au>.
Applications close on Monday at 10am AEST - so please encourage any truly
outstanding people in your networks to apply.
Until next time,

Misha Schubert
CEO, Science & Technology Australia


*SAVE THE DATE: STA PRESIDENT & CEO FORUM*

As the nation heads into an election year, STA invites the leadership of
our member organisations to join us at our annual STA President and CEO
Forum. We will discuss shared policy advocacy priorities for the STA
community, and the approach to the next year of policy engagement. We will
also seek the input of our member leadership as we consider the next stage
of STA’s growth and development as an organisation, and a process to review
our legal structure and governing documents. Join us via Zoom on Monday 11
October from 1-3pm AEDT. Registration is essential
<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/LBveCWLVXkU5V7KAWunCxcL?domain=sta.eventsair.com>.

*2021 ANNUAL MEMBER SURVEY*

Our annual membership survey is used to collect ways to improve STA's
activities, programs and the advocacy support we provide. We endeavour to
ensure our programs and initiatives are effectively supporting your
organisation goals, while also supporting your members, staff, and
stakeholders. Please do the survey if you can – it will only take around 10
minutes, and will provide enormously valuable input for STA. Complete the
survey now. <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/1TqOCXLW2mUXWvRxzhmyrJm?domain=surveymonkey.com>

*WOMEN IN STEMM SURVEY*

STA member Women in STEMM Australia invites you to be a part of its
#womeninSTEMM survey. In collaboration with MindTribes and students at The
University of Melbourne, this survey aims to understand the demographic and
needs of Women in STEMM members and help design its future activities. This
survey will take approximately seven minutes and closes on 15 September,
2021. Complete the survey here: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/RAlhCYW8NocLwRqz4CZYHd-?domain=mindtribes.typeform.com

*NEW RESOURCES FOR MEMBERS*

The STA Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee has added to our policy
templates available for STA member organisations. The new templates include
an event code of conduct and a harassment policy. You can use these
templates as a guide to create policies for your society or organisation.
The new templates and other diversity and inclusion resources are available
on the members’ portal
<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/_XlKCZY1Nqi50ZL3puXrKhD?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au>.

*NEW REPORTS AND POLICY CHANGES OF INTEREST TO STA MEMBERS*

   - The National Audit into the Medical Research Future Fund
   <https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/department-health-management-financial-assistance-under-the-medical-research-future-fund>
   has been released, all recommendations have been accepted by the Department
   of Health.
   - The Grattan Institute has released a report on the importance of men
   taking parental leave
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/dygeC1WLPxcMlyo79cOuzd0?domain=apo.org.au>
   .
   - RMIT has released a report on promoting digital inclusion
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/LgGpC2xMQzipgqXN9HLOP9W?domain=apo.org.au>
   for older Australians.
   - The Institute for Government (UK) has released a report on including
   citizens in climate change
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/lrimC3QNPBipO1l5EHp7cFy?domain=apo.org.au>
   policy-making.
   - The Productivity Commission
   <https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/water-reform-2020/report> has
   released its 2020 water national water reform report.
   - The Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/uQCzC4QOPEiBqNOpvu5-SDX?domain=cama.crawford.anu.edu.au>
   has a working paper out on growth-friendly policies to achieve net-zero.
   - The Mitchell Institute at Victoria University has released a
paper on higher
   education funding
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/q10NC5QPXJiZ2m7VDcVY-d9?domain=vu.edu.au>
   .
   - Infrastructure Australia
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/uUMPC6XQ4Lfrq2vnBfQpn25?domain=apo.org.au>
   has released its 2021 infrastructure plan.

*Opportunities for submissions:*

   - The Australian National Audit Office is auditing the management of
   threatened species and ecological communities
   <https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/management-threatened-species-and-ecological-communities-under-the-epbc-act>
   - due 31 October.
   - The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences is conducting a
   project to improve healthcare for Australians by better enabling
   research to be conducted within the health system
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/SqTqC71R2NTAw5KOJs1EAPj?domain=aahms.org>. You can
   contribute through the online survey
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/TyggC81V0PT6EV07KIlX0Xx?domain=aahms.org> or by making a submission.

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

*STA MEMBER EVENTS OF INTEREST*

   - The Australian Science Innovations Curious Minds
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/HPXyC91WPRTkDyX5puVwJuo?domain=asi.edu.au> program needs Curious
   Minds STEM Coache
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/nuH_C0YKPviGpO5RLc8aCb-?domain=asi.edu.au>s
   to help empower girls to excel in STEM. Register for an information
   session <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/iN1-CgZ0N1iADXRL7s56_si?domain=bit.ly> on Thursday 23 September.
   - The Australian Psychological Society
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/4BcSCjZ1N7inVLX7vtqdhrR?domain=psychology.org.au> presents a webinar on
   23 September on a foundational framework for preparation in trauma focused
   therapy.
   - Register now for the 11th National AeRO Forum Identifying the gaps -
   Digital Research Infrastructure
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/wZHeCk81N9tOPVjMpsjUzos?domain=eventbrite.com.au>on
   Tuesday 14 September.
   - The Australian Society of Plant Scientists
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/1iWDClx1Nji2jJ8BvtECsqu?domain=asps.org.au>hybrid conference is on 25 November.
   Abstracts due by 22 October.
   - The AMSI
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/kNFECmO5gluj9w3mrsWdKRh?domain=twitter.com>
   BioInfoSummer2021 <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/niPUCnx1jni7k02JYcLUBMQ?domain=bis.amsi.org.au> hybrid conference will be
   held 29 Nov - 2 Dec with event hubs around the country.
   - The HBPRCA Annual Scientific Meeting
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/S7rlCoV1kpfrQNR70fvYvSK?domain=hbprca.com.au>will run from 8-10 December.
   Abstracts must be submitted by 1 October.
   - Join a community of impact-focused researchers at
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/8i4QCp81lrtn7rWjBtQ-B4z?domain=aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com>Cruxes
   Innovation <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/ZT30Cq71mwf8VA3pohP3CPk?domain=cruxesinnovation.com>’s Impact Pathfinders event
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/ZreaCr81nyt8WKY5GhvgNhi?domain=cruxesinnovation.com>. Cruxes are
   offering free tickets to this event to the first 10 STA members who sign
   up to attend the event. Please click here to sign up to the event
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/ZreaCr81nyt8WKY5GhvgNhi?domain=cruxesinnovation.com>, and use discount
   code HISTA to get your free tickets.

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

*GRANTS, FUNDING AND OPPORTUNITIES*

   - ANSTO FutureNow and FutureNow Plus Scholarships
   <https://www.ansto.gov.au/work-us/innovation/futurenow-scholarships?mc_cid=e4d2be4a11&mc_eid=a207c5b0be>
   – open to graduates or early career researchers working on industry-focused
   research projects that support developments in health, defence, aerospace
   engineering and nuclear technologies.
   - Entrepreneurs' Programme - Accelerating Commercialisation
   <https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=b9f07dbc-ea6f-300b-212b-f3a5c324886a>
   – Ongoing.
   - The Volvo Environment Prize
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/zFPjCvl1rKi7Rm5D3cKfEUZ?domain=environment-prize.com> is open
   for nominations for the 2022 Laureate. The prize covers all fields of
   environmental and sustainability studies and initiatives.
   - Women & Leadership Australia <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/W-gSCwV1vMfG2MmDWc7lhCQ?domain=wla.edu.au>are
   offering partial scholarships to women in STEM areas wanting to undertake
   leadership training.
   - The ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science
   <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/-GzSCxngwOf1z6V23spF_Sg?domain=excitonscience.com> is looking
   to fill two Research Fellow positions open to female applicants only that
   are available at a Centre node and in a related research area of your
   choice.

*STA MEMBER STORIES *

Do you know of a terrific STEM idea, technology, innovation, product or
program that has been successfully commercialised? Then we want to hear
from you. STA is launching a new project where we’ll aim to highlight
research translation and commercialisation success stories. Get in contact
with our Communications Manager, Martyn Pearce <+martyn.pearce at sta.org.au>.

Get in the picture: Are you following STA on Instagram
<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/xUS3CyojxQTrpvwlRf3sGOu?domain=instagram.com>? If you’re a member organisation
using Insta as one of your communication channels, please follow us and
we’ll follow you back!


-- 
*I am an LGBTIQ Ally**      -     Find out more at https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/O5DcCzvkyVCM7lZ0AcPA08b?domain=monash.edu
<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/vvpdCANpgjCN8yXvzi7ZqW8?domain=monash.edu>*

Professor John Lattanzio
President, Astronomical Society of Australia

School of Physics and Astronomy
Monash University Victoria 3800 AUSTRALIA

Ph:  +61 (0)3 9905-4428
WWW: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/bk7UCBNqjlC7yQrgOcqBa4M?domain=users.monash.edu.au <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/HcBtCD1vlpT5y2zRkuG6Ezs?domain=maths.monash.edu.au>
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/_nBHCE8wmrt3Yr2QNTlKg5H?domain=orcid.org

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"...it’s a human story that builds to a climax and it’s personal from end
to end.
You start out wondering why you bought those blue pajamas and later you’re
wondering why you were born. You go from the foolishly absurd to the deadly
serious and you’ve passed through the gaudy and the nasty along the way.
You get to the edge and you’re played out and you wonder where’s the good
news? Isn’t there supposed to be good news?"
        - Bob Dylan
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