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Every year, the Australian Academy of Science works with institutions in states across Australia to deliver Falling Walls Lab Australia.
Falling Walls Lab is a challenging and inspiring event for emerging bright minds, giving them a unique chance to share their research and innovative ideas with a global audience.
Applications are open for researchers and innovators to present their ‘big idea’ in the Falling Walls Lab Australia heats:
Winners from the heats get to compete at the Falling Walls Lab Australia Finale on Friday 30 August at the Australian Academy of Science’s iconic Shine Dome in Canberra.
The three finale winners will receive a return trip to Berlin and entry to the Falling Walls Science Summit in November 2024, to each give their three-minute presentation at the Falling Walls Lab Global Finale.
Last year, Australia’s Dr Emma-Anne Karlsen placed third in the global competition.
Find out more about Falling Walls Lab Australia
Each year, five leading women researchers are awarded a prestigious €100,000 prize in recognition of their groundbreaking achievements and contributions to scientific progress. The 2025 edition of the International Awards will designate five outstanding scientific researchers in the field of physical sciences, mathematics and computer science.
More information and to nominate
The latest Annual Report highlights the Academy’s key activities and the achievements of its Fellows over the course of 2023.
You can read more about our achievements and new strategic plan in the report.
Academy Fellow Emeritus Professor Cheryl E Praeger AC FAA has been elected to the Nominations and Elections Committee of the International Science Council (ISC), alongside 11 other newly elected Committee members from around the world.
Professor Praeger was the Academy’s Foreign Secretary during 2014–2018 and has served as a member of the ISC Committee for Freedom and Responsibility for Science. She has over 40 years of experience in teaching, research, scientific leadership and science advocacy in Australia and across the globe.
“It’s a privilege to serve on the ISC’s Nominations and Elections Committee, especially during this important period of restructuring the governance procedures of the International Science Council,” Professor Praeger said.
“I am very pleased to help represent the interests of Australian science and our region. Through the work of the Committee, I look forward to the ISC providing a stronger, more globally connected voice for science on issues of major concern to both science and society.”
Responsible for shortlisting all candidates with the exception of the President for election to the to the ISC Governing Board, the Nominations and Elections Committee ensures the Board represents discipline, regional and gender diversity within the ISC’s membership base and Board members are individuals of the highest calibre who have made widely recognised contributions to the global scientific community.
The Academy is a long-time active member of the ISC and currently hosts the ISC Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific.
Read more about the Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific.
Keep abreast of the Academy Fellowship in the Fellows update:
If Fellows have been recognised with an award, please let us know via fellowship@science.org.au so we can consider including it in the next update.
The Australian Academy of Science, in collaboration with NASA and the Australian Space Agency, presents a public lecture by Eric Ianson, Deputy Director of NASA’s Planetary Science Division and Director of the Mars Exploration Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Following Eric's presentation, Emeritus Professor Fred Menk will present on the interests of the Australian space science community. This will be followed by a Q&A session involving both speakers.
Event details
More information and registration
Join us as for the fourth public speaker event for 2024, focusing on the world of chemistry!
Leading chemistry researchers Professor Rich Payne FAA (University of Sydney) and Associate Professor Rona Chandrawati (UNSW Sydney) will explore the significant scientific contributions of Academy Foundation Fellow, Professor Raymond Le Fèvre FRS.
Event details
Thank you to the series convenors
More information and registration
Atmospheric dynamics is all about understanding the physical processes which bring us our daily weather and determine the global structure of the atmosphere.
This workshop aims to bring together a community of experts in atmospheric dynamics with the ultimate goal of increasing our confidence in forecasts and future projections. It will assess current knowledge and identify important knowledge gaps, to guide and support research in atmospheric dynamics.
Event details
Contact: Dr Martin Jucker, Climate Change Research Centre, UNSW on martin.jucker@unsw.edu.au
More information and registration
On Friday 30 August 2024, the Australian Academy of Science will host the ninth Falling Walls Lab Australia Finale at the iconic Shine Dome in Canberra.
Anyone can join the audience – either online or in-person.
Catering will be provided for those attending in person. Places are limited, so book today!
Event details
More information and registration
Science at the Shine Dome is the Australian Academy of Science’s flagship event.
Australia’s science community gathers at the Shine Dome in Canberra to celebrate science and to honour outstanding achievements in science. It is also a valuable networking opportunity for Academy Fellows, early- and mid-career researchers, government representatives, politicians, media, science associated organisations, and the science-interested general public.
Registrations are now open. Visit the event website for more information and to register.
Please note capacity is limited. Registrations will close at 11.59pm AEST on Sunday 1 September, if not sold out prior to this date.
For all enquiries, please contact events@science.org.au.
Find out more about upcoming events.
The Academy’s Library and Archives hold one of the most significant histories of Australian science collections in the world, with many thousands of rare and unique items. These intellectual treasures—often hidden behind locked doors—reveal the development of scientific thinking responsible for shaping our modern world. Through meticulous digitisation of archival materials and recording conversations with Australian scientists, we are preserving history whilst providing future generations with access to critical insights and discoveries.
Now in our 70th year, we invite you to support our 2024 appeal to help bring many more of these stories and our collections to life. Through preserving Australia's scientific legacy your donation will support:
We invite you to read some of our recently digitised material online.
We hope you will consider a gift to support and preserve Australia’s scientific legacy and help us to bring more of our collections and conversations online, for everyone.
To learn more about giving to the Academy visit our website or contact Kate Groves on (02) 6201 9460 or kate.groves@science.org.au
The Honorary editor of the Academy newsletter is Professor Yuri Estrin FAA
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
