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AUSTRALIA’S SCIENCE FUTURE: YOUNGER RESEARCHERS SET THE DIRECTION
1 February 2000

The Australian Academy of Science has announced a major national symposium on ‘Australia’s Science Future’ to celebrate the year 2000. It will be held on May 3-4 in Canberra during National Science Week and the Australian Science Festival.

'The aim of the symposium is to assess the exciting advances and opportunities in eight fields that are of significant public interest and likely to experience breakthroughs in the 21st century', said the Academy’s President, Professor Brian Anderson. 'Most of the speakers at the symposium will be in their 30s and 40s, and can be expected to contribute to these breakthroughs.'

The fields being covered are:

• Changes of the global climate
• Mind and brain
• Energy
• Molecular structure and recognition
• IT, telecommunications and control in the Web era
• Genetic engineering of plants and animals
• The universe: Looking out – looking forward
• Ageing.

Registration is open to scientists, industry representatives, undergraduate and post-graduate students, science teachers, and interested members of the public. The symposium is structured to encourage audience participation, and discussion will focus on the future of science related to the eight fields.

'We are particularly keen on having younger researchers attend,' Professor Anderson said. 'The Academy is planning to approach employers to help sponsor their participation.'

Information about the symposium and a registration form are on the Academy’s website at www.science.org.au/future.