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Explore updates on Academy initiatives, scientific developments, and expert perspectives on issues shaping research and policy. Our commentary reflects the Academy’s role in fostering informed discussion and sharing thought leadership that connects science with society.
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‘Ambitious Australia’ report: There is not a moment to waste

The Academy strongly supports recommendations from the Strategic Examination of Research and Development to stop the long-term decline in research funding and to craft an R&D system that supports scale and focus. Without this, Australia will fall behind.
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Anna-Maria Arabia

Academy Chief Executive on the 'Ambitious Australia' report

The report provides a clear-eyed assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the current system – and importantly, it provides a coherent roadmap forward.

From left to right: Professor Louise Baur, President of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences; Professor Kate Darian-Smith, President of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia; Professor Stephen Garton, President of the Australian Academy of the Humanities and Chair of the Australian Council of Learned Academies; Professor Chennupati Jagadish, President of the Australian Academy of Science; and Dr Cathy Foley, President of ATSE

Learned Academies and ACOLA: Joint response to the Strategic Examination of R&D

In a joint media conference, the Australian Council of Learned Academies and Australia’s five Learned Academies respond to the 'Ambitious Australia' report.

Parliament House, Canberra

Federal Budget must mark turning point for Australian R&D investment

The Australian Academy of Science warns the 2026–27 Budget must reverse a decade of declining R&D investment or risk lasting damage to Australia’s economy, security and global competitiveness.

Season's greetings

Season's greetings from the President

Reflecting on scientific achievements and urgent future challenges, this year saw the Academy call for major reinvestment in research, infrastructure and innovation to meet the challenges ahead.

Parliament House, Canberra

More than 10 years of R&D funding decline cannot be restored in one budget

The Australian Academy of Science welcomes one-off funding of $233 million for CSIRO and $40.8 million for ANSTO in the Government’s mid-year economic and fiscal outlook (MYEFO) as a first step towards supporting focused and sustainable government-funded science agencies.

Joint statement from the Presidents of the Tri-Academy Partnership-thumbnail

Joint statement from the Presidents of the Tri-Academy Partnership

President, Royal Society Te Apārangi

National AI plan highlights the critical role of Australian science-thumbnail

National AI plan highlights the critical role of Australian science

The President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC, says the Australian Government’s national AI plan released today highlights how AI can benefit Australians, including through innovations made possible from Australian science.

A huge win for evidence-informed decision-making and the environment-thumbnail

A huge win for evidence-informed decision-making and the environment

Since our formation in 1954, the Australian Academy of Science has played a defining role in prioritising conservation, thereby influencing the evolution of national parks as we know them today.

Scientists say we are not on course to meet Paris Agreement climate goals-thumbnail

Scientists say we are not on course to meet Paris Agreement climate goals

The President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC, has welcomed the Government’s annual climate statement published today calling for urgent, ambitious action to increase emissions reductions to reduce global warming and meet the climate goals of the Paris Agreement.