The Australian Academy of Science’s Early- and Mid-Career Researcher (EMCR) Forum has announced the 2024–25 Executive Committee, which will be chaired by Dr Jordan Pitt.
The 2024–25 EMCR Forum Executive Committee members are:
Dr Pitt hopes to build on the EMCR Forum’s success by giving EMCRs more opportunities to connect with their peers.
“As the national voice of Australia’s emerging scientists, it is important that the executive team is EMCR-led,” Dr Pitt said.
“That allows us to understand and advocate for the issues most important to our fellow EMCRs, who sometimes feel overlooked by others in the research sector.
“By being a national body deeply connected and strategically aligned with the Australian Academy of Science, we can amplify the voice of EMCRs and allow them to see how many of the challenges they experience are truly national in scope.”
Dr Pitt also thanked outgoing members for the effort and time they have committed to advocating on behalf of EMCRs. This includes Dr Vanessa Moss, Dr Timothy Lau, Associate Professor Raffaella Demichelis, Dr Isabella Bower, Dr Rowan Trebilco, Dr Maithili Sashindranath and Associate Professor Angela Laird.
“The selfless sacrifice they make to serve their community is noble, particularly for EMCRs who are on fixed-term contracts and could use that time to benefit themselves,” Dr Pitt said.
“I welcome our incoming members who have committed to making that same sacrifice made by their outgoing peers.
“To them I would say, keep the burning enthusiasm you had when you first applied, and focus it.
“We can't do everything, but we can make a difference.”
President of the Academy Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC welcomed the new EMCR Forum Executive Committee members and said listening to the next generation of researchers and including their voices in the design of solutions is crucial to overcome structural, systemic and cultural barriers to career progression in STEM.
“Science is a team effort, and we need leaders who can bring EMCRs together and elevate their experience and needs to the highest level of decision makers,” Professor Jagadish said.
“The Academy is proud of our 13-year strong connection with the EMCR Forum. Nurturing the next generation of young scientists is a priority for the Academy so we can create a thriving research sector in Australia.”
Over the course of 2023, the Forum was able to advocate on behalf of EMCRs, influence decision makers and offer peer support to the EMCR community.
The EMCR Forum made a record number of policy submissions and delivered a successful Science Pathways Festival with the theme ‘Reframing Success’, looking at what success means across a range of contexts from research assessment to a career in science.
The Forum is the national voice of Australia’s emerging scientists, representing researchers who are up to 15 years post-PhD (or other research higher degree), discounting career interruptions irrespective of their professional appointment.
Recognising the challenges faced by Australia’s emerging researchers, the EMCR Forum was established in 2011 to provide a mechanism for the Academy to engage with EMCRs and obtain advice on issues relevant to EMCRs by connecting Australia’s most eminent scientists with our future scientific leaders.
It also provides a unified voice for EMCRs to work with Academy Fellows and staff to amplify their voice to decision-makers, and within the research sector.
Executive Committee members are selected through a competitive process.
Learn more about the EMCR Forum and the many ways you can be involved.
© 2025 Australian Academy of Science
