Chair's Welcome

Carly Rosewarne
Chair, EMCR Forum Executive
@microbialme

I feel honoured that the members of the EMCR Forum Executive asked me to take up the position of Chair in 2017. Advocating on behalf of Australia’s EMCR community is a unique function of the EMCR Forum and something I have become really passionate about. We are able to do this by responding to issues that we know concern you the most. I encourage you to get in touch with us by email (emcr@science.org.au) or on Twitter (@EMCRForum) to let us know what’s going on.

A recent example transpired after the announcement of the NHMRC funding round outcomes in December last year. Many EMCRs were rightly upset at the clear gender disparities, particularly in relation to the Career Development Fellowships (CDFs). We summarised the feedback we received on Twitter and communicated it to the NHMRC, who subsequently appointed our Deputy Chair Nikola Bowden to the re-established Women in Health Science Working Committee. Nikola’s role is to advocate for solutions that improve gender balance in funding support for EMCRs and I know she will do a fantastic job.

The EMCR Forum Executive listened to your feedback after Science Pathways last year, and I’m pleased to announce that our next national meeting in 2018 will focus on the importance of diversity in science. We are here to represent all EMCRs in Australia regardless of scientific discipline, employment sector or geographical location. More than that, diversity also encompasses our differences as individuals and how this influences our thinking. We’re currently at the very early stages of planning, but will be seeking your input as the event takes shape.

Some changes have taken place over recent months within the Australian Academy of Science, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Les Field for his support of the EMCR Forum during his time as the Secretary for Science Policy. The executive team is grateful for his encouragement and guidance over the past years. We are pleased to welcome David Day into this role from May and look forward to working with him to deliver our strategic plan. Although he has only been with us for a short time, his enthusiasm is already challenging us to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Finally, the Academy recently welcomed Melanie Bagg as the new Director of Communications and Outreach. She is an accomplished scientist, and formerly business development manager and communicator at the Australian Science Media Centre in Adelaide. The EMCR Forum is excited to work with Melanie to enhance our engagement and advocacy activities.

Before I sign off, I want to congratulate everyone who recently submitted grant proposals to the major national funding rounds. This is a major undertaking and needs to be acknowledged. The sobering reality of the current situation is a significant cause of stress and anxiety for EMCRs. This is not an issue we shy away from and will continue to emphasise to government and policymakers the importance of supporting Australia’s future scientific leaders. The EMCR Forum is also working to provide you with new opportunities for professional development and skills for meaningful engagement with industry. This has emerged as a key focus for the Hon Arthur Sinodinos in his new role as Federal Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. We’ll be highlighting mechanisms for EMCRs to access new schemes as they are announced. As always, details will be provided to our members via the mailing list and in future issues of EMCR Pathways.