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

Mon Nov 3 11:50:23 AEDT 2025

Dear ASA,

Please see below the November STA Member Update.

Best wishes,
Richard

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

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

T: +61 (0)2 9372 4811 / +61 (0)2 9850 4476
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I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the Macquarie University Land, the Wallumattagal people of the Dharug nation, whose cultures and customs have nurtured, and continue to nurture, this land since the Dreamtime.

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Ryan Winn <ceo at sta.org.au>
Subject: STA Member Update | 3 November 2025
Date: 3 November 2025 at 11:29:57 am AEDT
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 November 2025
Dear Richard,

This year Science & Technology Australia celebrates a remarkable milestone – it’s 40th anniversary.

Our journey began as the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS) as the result of a visionary group of leaders from 55 organisations. Their mission was bold: to unite the STEM community, advocate fearlessly for evidence-based policy, and help science shape a better future for Australia.

This year we are taking the chance to reflect on that crucial undertaking and celebrating our birthday with STEM professionals at events being held all around the country.

Across four decades, the organisation that they founded has grown into a powerhouse of influence with nearly 150 member organisations who together represent 235,000+ STEM professionals.

Thanks to your support, our advocacy on behalf of the sector creates impact.
In recent years, that impact has included:

  *
Securing a $2.2 billion research commercialisation fund – now the Economic Accelerator – with bipartisan support;
  *
Urging the nation to aim to be a global STEM superpower – an ambition endorsed in the 2022 Federal Election, and built on this call during the 2025 Federal Election; and
  *
Working in partnership with Indigenous STEM leaders to secure Indigenous knowledges as one of Australia’s official National Science and Research Priorities – a recognition long overdue;
  *
Helping launch the National Industry PhD Program, connecting research talent with industry to solve real-world challenges;
  *
Advocating for demand-driven funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, no matter where they live. This is now the law of the land;
  *
Shaping the independent review of the Australian Research Council Act, leading to the abolition of ministerial vetoes;
  *
Arguing for the National Science Statement to put science at the heart of Australia’s self-image – inspiring future generations into STEM;
  *
Calling for the Be That Teacher campaign, elevating the status of teaching as a cornerstone of our nation’s future;
  *
Winning a fixed timetable for ARC grant rounds, reversing the pre-prints ban, making IP templates voluntary, and extending the Patent Box to clean energy tech.

These are powerful policy changes that have transformed Australia’s research, education and innovation system.

But we’re not just about advocacy – we also play an essential role in bringing together the STEM community through must-attend events and change-making programs.

Our flagship event Science Meets Parliament<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/MfPeCr81nytnx7QYWCjtpC4-2_j?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> has now run for 25 years, welcoming more than 7,000 delegates, facilitating over 1,200 meetings with parliamentarians, and inspiring deep mutual understanding between science and decision-makers. The Parliamentary Friends of Science<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/-C7SCvl1rKiLvqw5RI5umCQs4vA?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> network has hosted 22 briefings since 2014 – and continues strongly in this Parliament. 

We’ve created vibrant programs like Superstars of STEM<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/uaMICwV1vMfVoklm2FxCXCJ01gW?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>, now 270 strong; STEM Ambassadors<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/UierCxngwOfRZDEVzcgF3CyK1fY?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>; and the Science Policy Fellows Alumni<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/crDKCyojxQT2YKOwpSxHZCxjcgK?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>, building leaders who bridge worlds. 

They say that life begins at 40, and our work is far from done. The challenges we face as a nation and as a planet – from climate change to technological disruption – demand more science, technology, and innovation. They demand that we keep lifting STEM into the heart of national decision-making – and STA will be here to continue that.

We have taken this celebration in person to several capital cities in recent weeks and hope to see more of you in Sydney this week.

Thank you for your continued support of the STEM sector’s national peak body, and here’s to the next 40 years.

With best wishes,

Ryan Winn
CEO, Science & Technology Australia

REPORTS AND POLICY

  *
Minister for Education Jason Clare announced the next steps in school education reform<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/Vn0bCzvkyVCwKEWZ7I7IOC96oQH?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUBMISSIONS

  *
DoE has called for submissions to its 2026 NRI Roadmap issues paper<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/XlydCANpgjCljBpX8UwSyCG8PBW?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. Consultation closes 1 December.
  *
DISR is consulting on the Possible association to Horizon Europe<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/U9c0CBNqjlCRv0WrycpT9C2EopD?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> to support its exploratory talks with the European Union. No deadline for submissions given.

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/gejLCD1vlpTJXwYzyu6UDCjDuAf?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>
GRANT FUNDING AND OPPORTUNITIES

  *
Nominations are open for the 2026 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/_oDaCE8wmrt0BO42YIJcpC7hSTf?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. Nominations close 18 December.

MEMBER NEWS
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STA Annual General Meeting
STA’s AGM will be held virtually on Thursday 13 November 12:30pm-2pm AEDT. The AGM will cover items such as reports on the activities of STA in the past year, declaration of the results of the election of Board Directors and other general business as outlined in the agenda<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/2xr5CK1DvKTMLP7N6s7i6C5QPAv?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. Register your attendance or your apologies now<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/gvvbCL7EwMfwLVBr7IosnCyBidn?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

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Australian Science Communicators Annual Conference
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/bRXdCOMKzVTZ3l1jMiDCGCGrHRf?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>

<mailto:tristan.scotcher at sta.org.au>
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Monthly Members’ Meet
Join us online for a virtual coffee and a casual opportunity to catch up with the STA team, share your insights, celebrate successes and discuss any concerns. Registration is essential<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/J4PcCQnMBZfl7gvpYU1HlCGwij8?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/MIO1CROND2u0No41xIYILC1jI4B?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.

Want to keep up to date with the latest in science and technology policy and advocacy? Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter - the Science and Technology Update<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/rboDCVARKgCkMmq6Yc7S0CEVyF2?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

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