Nikola Bowden
Chair, EMCR Forum Executive
Australian Academy of Science
@EMCRForum
2016 is shaping up to be a huge year for the EMCR Forum. We have an enthusiastic and dedicated Executive for 2016, who have already shown an incredible commitment to being the voice of EMCRs. I would also like to thank the departing Executive members from 2015 who have provided an excellent foundation for us to build on. The achievements of the Forum over the past five years have been amazing—thank-you! We have big shoes to fill, but I have no doubt this year’s Executive will take on the challenge.
In February the annual face-to-face meeting of the EMCR Forum Executive was held over two days at the Australian Academy of Science in Canberra. The 2015 and 2016 Executive worked together to produce a 5-year Strategic Plan. We invite you to look at the plan and tell us what you think. We are really excited to have a strong plan and commitment to ensuring we secure the future of Australian science by advocating for you. The plan was informed by what you have said you would like to see for EMCRs. As part of the plan we will have an emphasis on communicating and engaging with as many EMCRs as we can reach. Please keep an eye out for the launch of our new website and our membership program later this year.
Associate Professor Sharath Sriram and Dr Michael Crichton are also working hard to deliver a fantastic Science Pathways 2016 meeting in Sydney on September 26–27. The theme of this year’s meeting is ‘Future Leaders’ and I encourage you to attend to hear from some of Australia’s top scientists on how to be a leader.
Thank you to everyone who responded to our 1-question survey on the structural review of the NHMRC Grants Programme. You can see a summary of the responses and who won the tickets to see the movie The Man Who Knew Infinity in the What have we been up to article. The EMCR Forum met with Professor Anne Kelso early in the year and we are really pleased to be invited to give feedback on the review on behalf of EMCRs. Your responses have ensured that we represent your issues and concerns when we meet in May.
I am looking forward to an exciting 2016. Please stay in touch with us via twitter @EMCRForum or email: emcr@science.org.au.
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