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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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Academy responds to Universities Accord report

The Australian Academy of Science welcomes the Australian Universities Accord Final Report released today.

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70th anniversary President’s message

Today we celebrate our 70th anniversary since the foundation of the Australian Academy of Science.

Slight increase in Government R&D investment welcome, but still much to be done-thumbnail

Slight increase in Government R&D investment welcome, but still much to be done

While there is a slight increase in Government investment in R&D from 2022-23 to 2023-24, there is much still to be done if we are to see a full turnaround in the decades-long downward trend in R&D investment. Australia’s investment remains well below the OECD average.

Australian Parliament House in Canberra

In a time of risk and opportunity, science is critical

The President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Chennupati Jagadish, said the Australian Government cannot build a stronger, more resilient nation with a stagnant research and development system that relies on decades-old settings.

Australia’s R&D system is broken and needs more than band-aids-thumbnail

Australia’s R&D system is broken and needs more than band-aids

For a community that loves its smartphones and obligingly updates the operating system when we are advised a few times each year, why are we prepared to live with an operating system for our research that hasn’t been updated in 30 years?

Australian Government’s interim AI response a sensible first step -thumbnail

Australian Government’s interim AI response a sensible first step

The Australian Academy of Science supports the Australian Government’s interim response to the discussion paper for supporting responsible artificial intelligence (AI), including its plans to ensure AI is designed, developed and deployed safely and responsibly.

Kathleen Folbigg outside the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal after her convictions were quashed.

Folbigg case: wrongful convictions will continue to occur without major justice system reform

Australian scientists have welcomed today’s decision by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal to quash Kathleen Folbigg’s convictions.

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Press conference transcript: Kathleen Folbigg's convictions quashed

The Australian Academy of Science welcomes today's decision by the Court of Criminal Appeal to squash the convictions of Kathleen Folbigg. But make no mistake, that without law reform, these sort of miscarriages of justice will continue.

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Australia must seize nuclear science opportunities to meet challenges on the horizon

Maintain the health of Australians through medical research and its translation into care. Defend Australia. Meet our space ambitions. None of this can be achieved without increasing Australian nuclear science capabilities.