[ASA] Fwd: STA Member Update | 3 October 2025

Fri Oct 3 09:33:03 AEST 2025

Dear ASA,

Please find below the latest member update from STA.

I will be sending these regularly to the ASA exploder from hereon.

Best wishes,
Richard

----
Professor Richard McDermid
(he/him)

Director, Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO)
Interim Dean, School of Engineering
Director, Astrophysics and Space Technologies Research Centre
President, Astronomical Society of Australia
Macquarie University,
Sydney, Australia

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Ryan Winn <ceo at sta.org.au>
Subject: STA Member Update | 3 October 2025
Date: 3 October 2025 at 9:28:46 am AEST
To: Richard <richard.mcdermid at mq.edu.au>
Reply-To: Ryan Winn <ceo at sta.org.au>

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The STA Member Update is sent to the leadership of member organisations. Please forward to your executive and membership.
3 October 2025
Dear Richard,

This week I took part in an Industry Body Roundtable on AI organised by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and attended by Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy Andrew Charlton MP discussing the Government’s work to develop Australia's Plan for AI. The workshop, which included other major peak bodies, was wide-ranging, constructive, and energising — exploring how Australia can unlock the opportunities of AI while also managing its challenges and risks. It was terrific to have such thoughtful engagement across distinct industries with the Minister for two hours. These kinds of conversations are STA’s ‘bread and butter’ in delivering for our members – from advocating for funding, action on STEM education to, in this case, ensuring Australia harness AI responsibly, safely, and ambitiously to benefit our communities, economy, the environment and future industries.

You will shortly receive an email about another piece of policy advocacy we will be undertaking – on the Government’s consideration of Horizon Europe. Your and your members’ experience and views will help us frame our input as a sector.

Next week, I’ll be talking with Max Scott – Senior Program in Microsoft’s Office of Responsible AI and Co-chair of the UNESCO AI Business Council – at a special STA online event for members. That takes place on Friday 10 October, 11.30am-12.15pm – please register here to watch the livestream<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/YaZjCQnMBZflXvVDZUrtyuGuhXM?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. We’ll be talking about how AI is disrupting industries, geopolitics and even human relationships, as well as tackling the global race for AI leadership, the myths holding us back from making more of AI, and the fairness and responsibility challenges that demand attention. It’s going to be a fascinating discussion.

We are also looking forward to seeing members online next week for our annual Leadership Dialogue – please register here to let us know you’ll be coming along<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/SyamCROND2u0G4YKZfouYu1yYYt?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. The Leadership Dialogue takes place Thursday 9 October from 1pm-2.30pm AEDT and helps to shape STA’s goals, priorities, and advocacy for the year ahead – please do join us if you can. Each member organisation is encouraged to send its senior leader or incoming leader if leadership change is imminent.

We are in the process of finalising our responses to the various issues papers put out as part of the Strategic Examination of R&D (SERD) process – our thanks to all the member organisations that have shared their views on these papers and informed our response and advocacy. STA advocated for the SERD review process as a way of creating a more joined up research, development, and innovation ecosystem, and for providing increased funding and greater opportunities for the nation’s researchers. We’re deeply grateful to the SERD panel for their work so far and look forward to the final report later this year. However, the issues papers have raised concerns for us and our members, particularly around safeguarding and bolstering investment in vital discovery research. We’ll have more to say on that in the next couple of weeks.

Finally, new Parliamentary Budget Office analysis, commissioned and released this week by Monique Ryan MP, has shown that significant - as in hundreds of millions extra a year! - more funding could be released each year from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) without affecting the fund’s long-term health and its mandate.

STA has long called for a greater share of the MRFF to be invested in research and research infrastructure - this funding would help Australian researchers tackle pressing health challenges, strengthen vital national facilities (like those provided by NCRIS facilities), create new jobs and offer advanced manufacturing opportunities. We will soon make a formal submission on the draft National Health and Medical Strategy, and look forward to working with government and the sector on the final strategy and its implementation, to ensure Australia’s health and medical research system is properly resourced and positioned to deliver better outcomes for the community over the next decade.

With best wishes,

Ryan Winn
CEO, Science & Technology Australia

REPORTS AND POLICY

  *
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the UN Climate Summit<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/UDtLCVARKgCk2qB4QFWCKuEkXKe?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.
  *
Minister for Science Tim Ayres and Assistant Minister for Science Andrew Charlton announced Australia will begin negotiations on a cooperative agreement with the European Space Agency<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/nzRyCWLVXkUX6r3poiLFruoldJl?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUBMISSIONS

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The SERD Panel has released its final issues paper for consultation<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/73CLCXLW2mUD4EA6rhrH0uWQ4nZ?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. Current issues papers open for feedback are Government as an exemplar<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/Gqs4CYW8NocpDVY0BswIouxUhtO?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> and Foundational research<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/wIiwCZY1Nqi87KvmBhmSquBm2IP?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. Submissions are due 10 October.

For policy related matters contact STA Director of Policy and Engagement Sarah Tynan<mailto:sarah.tynan at sta.org.au>.
Browse the complete list of reports, policy news, and opportunities for submissions in our LinkedIn newsletter.
View LinkedIn newsletter<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/rLqJC1WLPxcB6JgjWFkTXuVackH?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>
GRANT FUNDING AND OPPORTUNITIES

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The Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) will be hosting its ASMR Medallist Luncheon<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/kQG6C2xMQziZV5rxyfmUqu5IO1s?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> at the National Press Club on Wednesday 22 October. The lunch will include an address from Dr Daniel Timms who is an innovative biomedical engineer from Brisbane.
The event is completely free to attend with registrations closing 10 October.
If you have any questions about this event, please contact katriona at asmr.org.au<mailto:katriona at asmr.org.au?subject=&body=>
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Nominations are open for the 2025 ASC Awards for Science Communication<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/-wCLC3QNPBi9XD38NI8c6uQ951Q?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. Celebrate excellence across four categories, from inspiring projects to standout communicators. Submit your nomination by 5pm AEST, Monday 13 October. Winners will be announced at the ASC Conference in Melbourne on 13 November.
  *
Registrations for the Australian Science Communicators annual conference have opened. The conference will take place in Melbourne from 12–14 November for three days of connection, inspiration, and sector celebration, including the Australian Science Communicators Awards event. Secure your spot now.<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/q6N0C4QOPEi9z4PjkI8fxu4V5HD?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>
  *
If you have ever wanted to study or work in Switzerland, then the Head Start Swiss<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/XIFHC5QPXJipMk8nNs3hOukyEKn?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>program is for you. The campaign is an initiative of the Embassy of Switzerland in Australia to provide opportunities for young Australian professionals and students to work and study internationally to enhance mobility between Switzerland and Australia. The program accepts applications year-round.
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Participants are sought to complete a short online survey<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/mx0hC6XQ4Lf0PLk3wf1i4u5dLjA?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> for a research project on how employees experience workplace incivility in Australian workplaces. Participants who complete the survey will enter a draw to win a $100 gift card.
  *
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority called for research proposals for its 2026-27 funding for research priorities<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/eAMyC71R2NTVzGMP7S5sDuos0hr?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. Consultation open until 1 November.

MEMBER NEWS
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2025 Leadership Dialogue
Please register to attend our annual Leadership Dialogue to be presented online on Thursday 9 October from 1pm – 2:30pm AEDT.
Each organisation is encouraged to send its senior leader or your incoming leader if a leadership change is imminent. The dialogue will help shape STA's priorities and goals for 2026.  Registration is essential<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/MZUZC0YKPvigkNvEPc1CJu9BGIE?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.
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STA Member Webinar
Join Ryan Winn as he interviews Senior Program Manager in Microsoft’s Office of Responsible AI and Co-Chair of the UNESCO AI Business Council Max Scott live from the US Embassy in Canberra. This exclusive member webinar will explore where AI is transforming our world, the global race for AI leadership, the myths holding us back and much more. The live stream will take place Friday 10 October 11:10am-12:15pm AEDT. Register to attend. <https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/kMUwCk81N9tXk2lLGiZIVuGVec0?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>

<mailto:tristan.scotcher at sta.org.au>
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Board Nominations
Nominations to join the STA Board have opened. There are two Board Director positions available. The nominations committee has identified business development, design and deliver of professional development programs, research commercialisation and Indigenous Knowledges as highly desirable skills for nominees to possess. Nominations close 30 October and election results will be announced at the STA AGM on 13 November. Further information and the nomination form are available here. <https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/4IMVCmO5gluPpyX04CmTruRuJsE?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>
STA delivers strong benefits to members, including discounted professional services via our Member Benefits Program<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/3IYjCnx1jni3X9wyBslUvuJryo-?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

Want the latest news from Science & Technology Australia? Subscribe to our media release distribution list<mailto:media at sta.org.au>, it is open to all.

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