The Australian Academy of Science 2021 Annual Report covers 1 January to 31 December 2021.
The Academy’s responses to COVID-19 and climate change are among the many achievements highlighted in the report.
Major achievements included collaborating with government departments to communicate pandemic-related information; calling for an RNA manufacturing capability in Australia and convening a national RNA roundtable of experts; calling attention to the risks to Australia of a warmer world; and the publication of a hub of climate change resources.
To advance and celebrate science in Australia and internationally, we:
published a report identifying opportunities to advance data-intensive research in Australia
supported the call for Kathleen Folbigg’s pardon and release from prison based on recent strong scientific evidence
launched a Champions of the Decadal Plan program to support the implementation of the 2019 Nourishing Australia: A decadal plan for the science of nutrition by the National Committee for Nutrition
hosted a national RNA roundtable that supported Australia becoming a leader in RNA science and technology
called on the NSW Government to remove all feral horses from Kosciuszko National Park
provided advice and submissions to government inquiries and consultations, including appearing at parliamentary hearings
re-roofed and improved the sustainability of our heritage-listed building, the Shine Dome, following severe hail damage in 2020.
Support for scientists and diversity in science
We supported scientists and encouraged diversity in science by:
recognising 24 leading scientists with honorific awards, and announcing support for more than 40 scientists with grants, fellowships and conference funding
welcoming 22 new Fellows for 2021, the cohort made up of 41% women and 59% men
publishing a report about gender inequity in the STEM workforce across the Asia-Pacific
launching the STEM Women Asia database to raise the profile of women in STEM
hosting the finale of Falling Walls Lab Australia for early career researchers
participating in NAIDOC Week, and shining light on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scientists
joining with Australia’s other learned academies to respond to the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Science for a broad audience
We brought science to a broad audience by:
recording more than 18 million impressions on social media
welcoming more than 4.4 million visitors to our websites
publishing over 70 videos, many of which were embedded in online mainstream media stories 615 times, and articles that were mentioned or quoted 122 times (across all media syndications)
delivering 37 online and hybrid events for audiences across Australia and around the world, including the Academy’s annual flagship event ‘Science at the Shine Dome’
holding ‘scienceXart’, a photo competition about food and nutrition for school students across Australia.
