Australia’s population: shaping a vision for our future

Young high flyers in Australian science will gather in Adelaide tomorrow to examine the science behind population issues from all angles, and consider essential questions to create visions for Australia’s future.

To be opened by South Australian Minister for Science and Information Economy, Tom Kenyon, the Australian Academy of Science’s 10th annual Theo Murphy High Flyers Think Tank brings together more than 60 young researchers from around Australia and its near neighbours and from across a range of scientific disciplines.

Over two days, Australia’s population: shaping a vision for our future will examine four big questions that will determine the way future Australians will live:

• Who will we be: genetics, health, wealth, beliefs, attitudes?
• How will we share activities and resources: population size, composition and distribution and access to food, land, water, social resources?
• What will we do: workforce, consumption patterns, technology?
• How shall we live in our habitat: the natural and built environment?

“Theo Murphy Think Tanks constitute rare and unusual opportunities for some of our brightest young scientists to put their minds together and examine issues of national importance from multiple points of view and areas of expertise,” said Dr Oliver Mayo, Academy Fellow and Co-Chair of the Think Tank.

“Population is a central issue of our time: how Australia plans for and responds to changes in population will determine the quality of life, access to basic services, health and wellbeing of our future generations.

“We're asking the question: can we do anything about population? We hope the young scientists answer 'yes' and make suggestions about what individuals, specialist scientists, institutions and governments can and should do to produce a more just, healthier, more sustainable, more creative and productive population and society.”

Recommendations from former Think Tanks on topics including managing stressed ecosystems and new techniques for mineral resource exploration have been used as a basis for subsequent policy development at federal and state levels.

The Theo Murphy High Flyers Think Tank 2012 runs from Thursday 26 to Friday 27 July at the Intercontinental Hotel in Adelaide.

Media are welcome to attend the opening session, from 9.00am-10.30am, or to interview the Chairs or individual experts in any of the four areas.