This is the transcript of a speech that the Australian Academy of Science President, Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC delivered at the Chinese Academy of Sciences on 31 May 2025.

Hello and nǐhǎo everyone.

Thank you, Professor Jianguo Hou, for your presentation.

I am delighted to be here for this important event.

It’s wonderful to see so many leaders from national academies and international scientific organisations in the room.

That speaks to the convening power of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

CASAD’s 70th anniversary

I’d like to acknowledge a special milestone tomorrow – the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The establishment of CASAD was described as “the beginning of a new stage in the development of China’s scientific undertaking”.

The establishment of the Australian Academy of Science one year earlier, in 1954, also signalled a new era for Australian science.

Seventy-one years later we gather to discuss the future of the planet. And it is in danger – the science revealing this is unambiguous and compelling.

For years, scientists across the world have been warning of the growing evidence of collapsing global ecosystems, biodiversity loss, the damage to natural resources and their decline, and the rise and mobility of diseases due to the changing climate.

Today, the very architecture and nature of the global research system required to respond to these challenges is also at stake.

There are local challenges which each country’s scientists will need to solve, but the global challenges are different: bigger, more complex and political.

They require global solutions, with researchers and countries working together.

But I’ll return to this theme a little later.

First, I wanted to touch on the strong foundation of scientific collaboration established between China and Australia over many years.

Personal reflections

This is my 50th visit to China. My first was in 1995 to help establish a collaboration between my university – the Australian National University – and the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The aim was to better understand the optical qualities of tiny semiconductor nanocrystals, known as quantum dots.

It wasn’t only senior scientists involved in this collaboration, but also postdocs and students. To me, this exemplifies ‘inclusive collaboration’ at the micro level.

Of course, collaboration between our two countries began many years before my first visit to China.

My colleague and Academy Fellow, Professor Sue O’Reilly, led Australia’s first petrological-geological delegation to China in 1982.

The Xinhua News Agency said recently with all of Sue’s visits over the years, she probably knows more about the geo-structure of China than many Chinese.

Country to country engagement

The scientific partnerships between our two countries have also been occurring at the macro level for many years.

The Australian Academy of Science and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have been collaborating in bilateral activities since 1978.

In 1980 our two academies signed a memorandum of understanding that covered an exchange program that continued until 2011.

More than 600 scientists from each side benefited from this program that led to extensive ongoing relationships and collaborative activities and projects.   

Between 2004 and 2023 we forged strong links through the annual bilateral symposia between our two academies and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.    

And next week, CAS and the Australian Academy of Science will hold a joint workshop on environmental protection and biodiversity hosted at the CAS Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research in Beijing. 

I look forward to attending the opening of this important event and learning about the outcomes of the discussions during this event.  

Last year we welcomed two Chinese delegations to the Academy in Australia.

We met with the National Natural Science Foundation of China (or NSFC) to discuss young scientist exchanges between Australia and China.

We also met with members of the China Association for Science and Technology (or CAST) to discuss education and outreach and the joint promotion of the International Science Council Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific, incubated at our Academy.

Only a few days ago the Academy’s Chief Executive, Ms Anna-Maria Arabia and I met with Minister YIN Hejun at the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology.

This important meeting continues to facilitate and strengthen bilateral scientific collaborations.

The ongoing inclusive science collaboration between our two countries is also reflected in the election of new Fellows to the Australian Academy of Science for outstanding contributions to science.

Since 2017, about 7% of the Academy’s newly elected Fellows were born in China. That’s the second highest group of new Fellows from any country after the United Kingdom.

Professors Guoxiu Wang, Deli Chen and Xiaojing Hao are among 26 new Academy Fellows announced last week.

They will be admitted to the Academy later this year at the Shine Dome in Canberra. 

Finally, our engagement with China goes beyond the bilateral.

We are also pleased to collaborate in several multilateral fora, in part through our shared membership of the International Science Council and InterAcademy Partnership and as a member Academy of the Science 20 G20 engagement group.

International science collaboration is changing

The COVID-19 pandemic began just over five years ago.

Although now common to cite, I can think of no better example to demonstrate the power of multilateral science collaboration.

Australian scientists were among the leaders of COVID-19 research efforts. They collaborated most closely with China and the United Kingdom on COVID-19 publications.

Much has changed in the years since. The post-COVID world is not the same.

Some of the discourse regarding COVID-19 and the benefits of vaccination reflect a worrying and growing pattern of deliberate undermining of public trust in science.

In addition, today we seek to balance the benefits and risks associated with emerging technologies that were recently the stuff of dystopian Hollywood imagination – artificial intelligence, advanced robotics and quantum technologies.

And whilst they too demand collaborative science to deliver answers to government and society, they have fast become matters characterised more by strategic national competition, than collaboration.

It’s a conundrum of global proportions and my own field of scientific endeavour illustrates why.

My work in nanotechnology and semiconductors – an area of strategic competition between nations – is underpinned by and benefits from a multicultural research group.

My work is also made possible because of some 30 collaborations I maintain across the world, spanning countries including China, working across borders to build basic science knowledge.

The stark reality is that science is increasingly seen through a geopolitical lens.

Tariffs and trade restrictions are now both tools of, and impediments to, scientific strategy.

Multilateral collaboration is giving way to bilateral or bloc-based science partnerships.

We are in a global competition for the same minds, tools, and technologies.

Every country is trying to train, attract, or retain scientific talent in a constrained market. This is especially acute in critical areas – AI, climate tech, advanced manufacturing, and biosciences.

But advancing national interests and international science cooperation to address global challenges are not mutually exclusive.

In a world that is becoming increasingly competitive, with many countries’ leaders looking inwards, science must rise above and enable responsible collaboration. 

By combining resources, expertise and efforts across borders, the global scientific community can develop more effective, inclusive and sustainable solutions to the pressing issues facing humanity.

No single country can do it alone.

Cooperation not only advances science but also fosters global solidarity and peace.

Adaptation to climate change, decarbonising our economies, pandemics, and food and water security are complex challenges that require coordinated, multinational and transdisciplinary solutions with the involvement of all peoples.

Competition in an increasingly connected world

Despite the rise in global scientific competition, we live in an increasingly interconnected world.

The research of Associate Professor Arunima Malik from the University of Sydney is a case in point. 

Her research, published recently in the Nature Sustainability journal, examines how consumption in one country affects the environment and society of its trading partners.

These interconnections present opportunities to improve standards of living, skill development and employment generation, but also generate adverse impacts in the form of resource depletion, pollution, habitat loss and inequality.

International trade can amplify these effects by placing pressure on vulnerable nations, leading to spillover effects that hinder countries’ ability to progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Arunima’s research highlights the growing disparity between nations that benefit from trade and those that bear significant environmental and social costs, deepening existing inequalities.

Her research also underscores the critical importance of considering consumption-based cross-border impacts within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Arunima’s research was nominated by the Australian Academy of Science for the prestigious Frontiers Planet Prize, which recognises research with the most promising potential to keep humanity within planetary boundaries.

I am pleased to share with that Arunima was named Australia's National Champion for the prize and is now in the running for the global prize which will be announced on 17 June.

International research partnerships like mine and Arunima’s enhance the quality of our research, foster innovation, help us tackle global challenges and address complex issues – from climate change, health crises and food security to economic and geopolitical stabilisation.

They highlight what can be achieved when we work together.

We understand that this does not come without risks. But the risks of failing to collaborate are far greater.

Particularly when it comes to addressing climate change.

Both China and Australia are making significant investments to deploy low-carbon technologies and in clean energy to reduce emissions.

We must all work together to accelerate the deployment of clean energy sources.

And Learned Academies across the globe have a responsibility to continue to advocate that their own governments accelerate emission reduction.

Upholding scientific principles

The Academy has recently expressed its serious concerns regarding the dismantling of scientific principles that enable science to thrive and to benefit all peoples.

The consequences of such actions are profound and must be resisted.

The principles of freedom and responsibility in science, clearly articulated in Article 8 of the International Science Council’s Statues alongside the right to share in and benefit from scientific progress enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, must remain paramount.

When ideological and political agendas impede scientific enquiry, restrict the free exchange of knowledge or supress the fundamental right to participate freely in scientific activities, the whole of humanity suffers.

When science is censored based on an ideological position on climate change or vaccination, the very principles that enable science to thrive are eroded, and people suffer.

Long-term, widespread vaccination meant measles was officially declared eradicated in the United States in the year 2000. In 2025 people are once again dying from it following a recent measles outbreak in Texas.

We must unequivocally resist attempts to elevate conspiracy theories and efforts that undermine rigorous scientific evidence.

As private investment in R&D grows – consider that in the United States the business sector now funds 36% of basic research – we must be clear about how we ensure that everyone benefits from advances in science and technology.

Science conducted for the public good must not only continue to flourish but intensify. Only science provides the source of verified knowledge that transcends national borders and serves humanity collectively. 

For example, science undertaken for the public good enables the exchange of data collected across our atmosphere, oceans and in space – places that know no geographic borders. 

Global exchange of knowledge gives us a complete picture of our environment that feeds into weather forecasting, disaster responses, the aviation industry and maritime practices.

In the current climate we must redouble our efforts to ensure public good science is not obstructed, impeded or withheld by political, philosophical or religious beliefs and practices, or by those who withhold or monopolise knowledge for private gain.

Conclusion – science is critical to our future

Colleagues, in conclusion, science is critical to our future, and science academies are uniquely placed to think in the long term and maintain bridges for engagement.

Since our two academies were first established, we have fostered enduring partnerships at all levels.

This has helped our two governments open doors, navigate tricky negotiations, and unite people and institutions to the great benefit of all.

Science offers unique avenues for fostering mutual understanding and contributes to global peace and prosperity.

Scientific dialogue and evidence are our common language.

The role of scientists in our respective countries and our ongoing ability to nurture and engage in meaningful and responsible scientific collaborations is critical.

Thank you for your generous hospitality and for the opportunity to address you on this important topic.

A new five-year agreement between the Australian Academy of Science and CSIRO continues a long-standing collaboration to support CSIRO’s 15 Journals of Scientific Research.

These journals are published by CSIRO Publishing, an editorially independent publishing unit within CSIRO. Each year, over 1,000 high-quality, internationally significant articles are published, with a particular focus on Australia and the surrounding region.

The latest agreement, which runs to the end of 2029, confirms the joint commitment of CSIRO and the Academy to champion Australia’s contribution to international scientific research.

Delivering innovative solutions

“Both organisations recognise the importance of international research in expanding knowledge and delivering innovative solutions to society, industry and the environment,” Academy Chief Executive Anna-Maria Arabia said.

“Working together, we can ensure best practice in peer review continues to underpin science.”

The agreement also recognises the importance of open science, and of diversity and inclusion.

Editorial policy for the journals is developed by a Board of Standards, which is jointly chaired by CSIRO and the Academy.

“Our partnership enables us to maintain the high standard of the journals and to contribute to important discussions on the future direction of scientific and academic publishing. This is particularly important as the use of AI in scientific research and publishing evolves.

“The Academy will continue to explore how we can work with CSIRO to demonstrate the value of science and capture and share knowledge for future generations.

“I encourage Academy Fellows and other scientists to submit articles for publication in CSIRO’s journals, supporting Australian science content and publishing,” Ms Arabia said.

Shared principles

CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Doug Hilton said the partnership between the Australian Academy of Science and CSIRO has been built on shared principles.

“From maintaining a trusted archive of scientific endeavour, to the governance of how we publish research outcomes, we are committed to opening up discovery and access to impactful science.

“Ultimately this partnership will facilitate the use of rigorous, evidence-based science to help solve some of the major challenges facing our world today,” he said.

The CSIRO-owned journals covered by the agreement are:

• Animal Production Science      
• Australian Journal of Botany
• Australian Journal of Chemistry
• Australian Journal of Zoology
• Australian Systematic Botany
• Crop and Pasture Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Functional Plant Biology
• Invertebrate Systematics
• Marine and Freshwater Research
• Pacific Conservation Biology
• Reproduction, Fertility and Development
• Sexual Health
• Soil Research
• Wildlife Research

In addition to the CSIRO-owned journals above, CSIRO Publishing publishes 15 journals on behalf of science-related organisations, such as the Academy’s journal Historical Records of Australian Science.

President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Chennupati Jagadish, is one of four Academy Fellows elected to the Royal Society, the United Kingdom’s national academy of sciences. Internationally recognised for achievements in their fields, the Academy Fellows elected to the Royal Society are:

• Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC PresAA FRS FREng FTSE from the Australian National University, elected for playing a pivotal role in shaping science policy in Australia, advancing the field both nationally and globally as President of the Australian Academy of Science, and for his pioneering contributions to semiconductor optoelectronics and nanotechnology.
• Professor Melissa Little AC FAA FAHMS FRS from the Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW) in Denmark and Australia’s Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, elected for her international leadership in developmental biology, stem cell science and nephrology, particularly her seminal research in renal regeneration.
• Professor Bill Laurance FAA FRS from James Cook University, elected for his pioneering research into the causes and consequences of human degradation of tropical forest ecosystems, in particular his work on the impacts of habitat fragmentation, logging, fires, infrastructure expansion, climate change and exotic pathogens.
• Professor Hugh Possingham FAA FRS from the University of Queensland, elected for his major contributions in mathematical and theoretical ecology and his work in applying ecological theory to formulate and solve some of the biggest problems in nature conservation.

Giants of science

Professor Jagadish said that following in the footsteps of giants of science like Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Ernst Rutherford, Stephen Hawking, Dorothy Hodgkin and Mark Oliphant “is truly humbling”.

“This is a recognition for the work of many of my students, postdocs, academic colleagues, and national and international collaborators during the past 35 years.

“There is a long history of collaboration between the Academy and the Royal Society. It is a particular honour for me to have been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society while serving as the President of our Academy.

“My election is not only based on my contributions to science but also for my science leadership. This will allow me to further strengthen the historical relationship between our organisations and work together to champion the cause of science and serve the global community through science in these challenging times,” Professor Jagadish said.

The best of scientific endeavour

Royal Society President, Professor Sir Adrian Smith, welcomed the latest cohort of outstanding researchers.

“Their achievements represent the very best of scientific endeavour, from basic discovery to research with real-world impact across health, technology and policy,” Sir Adrian said.

“From tackling global health challenges to reimagining what AI can do for humanity, their work is a testament to the power of curiosity-driven research and innovation.”

The Royal Society and the Australian Academy of Science share strong historical ties. In the early 1950s, a group of Australian-based Fellows of the Royal Society, including physicists Sir Mark Oliphant and Dr David Martyn, championed the establishment of a similar national organisation of scientists to support the growing capability of Australian science.

Since then, both organisations have continued to recognise scientific excellence nationally and around the world by electing distinguished researchers to their Fellowships.

See the full list of Fellows elected to the Royal Society.

The President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC, has welcomed the new Albanese Ministry and outlined seven immediate priorities for the federal government.

“The Albanese government has shown their commitment to reforming the R&D system by commissioning the Strategic Examination of R&D,” said Professor Jagadish.

“Redesigning our R&D system is critical to boosting productivity, diversifying the economy, creating jobs and building Australia’s future.”

Top priorities for the new Albanese government

1. Embrace the Strategic Examination of R&D – the most comprehensive review of the R&D system in decades – to recognise and position R&D as a key driver of productivity, economic diversity and international competitiveness.
2. Co-invest in the Academy’s philanthropically supported Global Talent Attraction Program to urgently fill R&D capability gaps in Australia.
3. Urgently modernise Australia’s high-performance computing and data infrastructure – our supercomputers – which are reaching their end of life and cannot meet the growing demands of science, defence, industry and society.
4. Respond to the policy shifts in the United States, including emerging vulnerabilities to Australian national R&D capabilities such as vaccine development, climate modelling, quantum computing and advanced manufacturing.
5. Urgently develop a strategy to guide Australia’s approach to international scientific collaboration, so we can compete in the global scientific and technological race, build economic resilience and national security, and position science and technology as a critical lever in diplomacy.
6. Develop an AI investment plan to build national AI capability across the R&D system, including in fundamental AI science.
7. Reform the National Science and Technology Council to enable Cabinet decision making to be informed by the best available evidence.

“The Academy warmly welcomes the appointment of Senator the Hon Tim Ayres as the new Minister for Science and Minister for Industry and Innovation and the Hon Dr Andrew Charlton MP as the new Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy,” said Professor Jagadish.

“R&D covers virtually every portfolio. The Academy especially acknowledges the new appointments of the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh (Productivity) and Senator the Hon Murray Watt (Environment and Water), and the reappointments of the Deputy PM the Hon Richard Marles (Defence), the Hon Jim Chalmers (Treasury), Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher (Finance), Senator the Hon Penny Wong (Foreign Affairs), the Hon Mark Butler (Health and Ageing), the Hon Jason Clare (Education), the Hon Julie Collins (Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry), the Hon Chris Bowen (Climate Change and Energy) and the Hon Pat Conroy (Pacific Island Affairs).

“The Academy looks forward to working with the new government and the 48th Parliament to provide independent, evidence-based science advice to shape policies that benefit all Australians,” Professor Jagadish said.

By Dr Charlie Morgan, member of the EMCR Forum Executive Committee

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of joining the Australian delegation at the Global Knowledge Dialogue and 3rd General Assembly of the International Science Council (ISC).

The tandem event took place in Muscat Oman at the end of January.

Over five days it provided a platform and space for hundreds of delegates across 250 member organisations to meet, re-connect, share challenges and ideas, and progress shared agendas on some of the most pressing global challenges of this century. Priority themes were Freedom, Responsibility and Inclusivity in Science; International Science Agenda Setting; The Evolution of Science and Science Systems; Evidence-Based Policymaking; and Science Diplomacy.

Many of the sessions were recorded and are available on the ISC YouTube channel.

It was not lost on delegates that there had been a strategic decision by ISC to both welcome and enable the participation of EMCRs at the event. Traditionally these events have been a very high-level and a more senior delegate exercise in international science policy and cooperation between scientific unions and national science academies.

More on the EMCR perspectives later.

If like me you are unfamiliar with the ISC it emerged in 2018 from the merger of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and International Social Science Council (ISSC). The ISC leverages the integration of natural and social sciences with their distinctive legacies, systems and networks stretching back to their formations in 1931 and 1952 respectively.

I have always been more motivated by the challenge and question than the disciplinary boundaries and methods that often push us into silos. While many may argue about the number of Ms and inclusion of A into the acronym of STEM, I have come to appreciate the ISC definition: ‘science is used to describe the systematic organisation of knowledge that can be rationally explained and reliably applied’*.

To set the backdrop to the meeting, US President Trump was re-writing international norms, a cease fire was taking hold in Gaza, the third anniversary of the Russian-led war in Ukraine loomed, and the civil war in Sudan was worsening for civilians. With more than 56 armed conflicts across the globe, it was little surprise that conversations and questions often touched on the dual uses of science, the responsibility of science and its scientists in a global world.

As a Research Strategist at a top-ranked university, in a remote and highly developed country, the responsibility and contribution that an EMCR makes in a global system of science – and science for sustainable development – is over the horizon most days. Yet the goodwill, passion and determination on display by many of the senior and EMCR delegates served as an important reminder to the common bonds we share, the challenges, and the impacts that cascade by starting small and acting together.

By the end of the conference, I came to appreciate the unique role that the ISC and its members play in shaping global, regional and local objectives and initiatives that have direct impacts on EMCRs.

It remains unanswered how to best engage the EMCR perspectives in the ISC platform and those of many of its members. The challenge is both structural and conceptual. Few if any of the EMCRs I met had any confidence that they would attend the next General Assembly in 2029 or even have financial means to attend the mid-term meeting to be hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) in Beijing, in October 2026. Most EMCR delegates I spoke with were quick to highlight the gap in the program for EMCRs as speakers, panel members or session chairs. Further integration of EMCR voices into the formal program will strengthen future dialogues, and the network and impact of the ISC and its members.

Special thanks to ISC President-elect Robbert Dijkgraaf for attending the morning session for young academies and associations (YAAs), sometimes referred to as young scientist organisations. It is recognised by many, including Robbert, that referring to us as ‘young’ misses the mark and conjures a certain grey haired (if any hair at all) less desirable stereotype of the Fellows of our more senior/elder academies. Given the choice again, I suspect that ‘young’ would not be chosen.

The voices of young academies are increasing in numbers and impact, likely an outcome from growing multi/transdisciplinary focus of their membership. Yet our own lived experiences as the Australian EMCR Forum and that of the analogous North American organisations, that is, the College of New Scholars, Artist and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC College) and New Voice program, teach us about different models and the value of conveying diverse voices of EMCRs for dialogues that build emerging leader capabilities and shape national and global futures.

I hope Robert’s interest and election of at least two ISC governing board members who have close ties to EMCR communities will lead to more engagement and dialogue about the challenges and shared benefits of growing YAAs participation in ISC initiatives.

One option would be a formation of a working group of interested YAAs and conversations with ISC staff and board members to draft a vision and action plan that articulates the challenges, opportunities and actions to support scalable and sustainable YAAs engagement in ISC activities. It is evident that building capacity and knowledge in regional and international cooperation among EMCRs will have long-term benefits for science and society, yet the pathway to get there needs more navigators and mentors. It is also evident that the challenges facing the ISC, its members, and the multilateral system are complex, priority setting and resourcing is challenging, and pathways to progress are uncertain. It is my hope that strengthening ISC regional focal points, such as in Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, and a newly announced office in Muscat, will increase accessibility and engagement for regional EMCRs.

My real awareness of the ISC and its role in international science systems and policy is a direct outcome of my executive committee role on the EMCR Forum hosted by the Australian Academy of Science. In addition to my engagement with the ISC and its members, my principal motivation in attending the event was meeting face to face and developing relationships with similar organisations of EMCRs to exchange ideas, lessons and challenges that we encounter as ‘national’ associations of EMCRs. After countless conversations with delegates, I gained a better understanding of the nuances of structure, governance, funding mechanisms, meaning and value of membership, core activities, and relationship with more senior academies that are used in different organisations and regions. As expected, it isn’t a one size fits all approach, but there are lessons to be used and adapted for the Australian context and needs.

It is apparent that both national and international science systems are recognising the value of EMCR perspectives in shaping research policies, practices and culture. While I expect opportunities to contribute will grow, we as organisations must make tough choices on what we pursue. Principally we are volunteer-led, bottom-up communities with shared objectives and limited resources and capacity.

With the support and early leadership of the Australian Academy of Science, the EMCR Forum is one of the older organisations that promotes EMCR voices in national science dialogues. Yet with seniority also comes a responsibility to periodically review our unique role and responsibilities, including governance, the meaning of membership, and our value proposition to Australian EMCRs and our stakeholders in universities, industry and government.

Many thanks to the people of Oman and our gracious hosts at the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation.

Special thanks to the Australian Academy of Science for their support for my attendance and generous contributions from other ISC members that collectively enabled over 80 delegates from the global south to attend and contribute to the discussions and panels.

About the author

Charlie Morgan is a chemical biologist and research strategist at the ANU. He has served as an executive committee member of the EMCR Forum since 2022. He currently leads the Forum’s International Portfolio and previously served as a co-deputy chair. He highly values the opportunities the Forum have catalysed for him to collaborate with EMCRs, academy staff and fellows, to raise awareness and promote EMCR perspectives that shape science dialogs and systems in local, national and most recently international policies and priorities.

^* The ISC states it uses this shorthand [STEM] because there is no single word or phrase in English to adequately describe this knowledge community.

Transcript of interview with BBC World Service Weekends

Julian Worricke: With American researchers and students looking at leaving the country to study abroad, there are a whole host of international higher education centres who are desperate to entice them. This week the Australian Academy of Science, for example, announced it was launching a Global Talent Attraction Program and said the government needed to act swiftly to attract the smartest minds leaving the United States. Shortly I will speak to the head of the Australian Academy of Science about that ambition and how they will compete in a global market.

Anna-Maria Arabia: We’ve launched a Global Talent Attraction Program to respond to what we’re seeing as many very talented scientists and technologists who have perhaps lost their jobs or who are feeling disenchanted, and to bring their excellence and expertise to Australia so that they can contribute to the Australian context. We have seen time and time again the benefits of bringing expertise and scientists who are committed to their fields to Australia. They’re able to seed talent, create jobs and really nurture the next generation. So, we're looking at attracting talented people to Australia, but we know we have to act swiftly.

Julian Worricke: I’m also aware that a lot of other countries are also doing the same thing just now.

Anna-Maria Arabia: Indeed, and we’re not the only ones to have identified this opportunity and that’s the very reason we do need to act quickly. There are many talented people across the United States, some of whom unfortunately may be facing very uncertain times. Countries around the world, both at a national level, sometimes at a continent level and institutionally are starting to establish programs to enable them to attract talent to their shores. We feel Australia can benefit and so we’ve moved to act very swiftly to capture that benefit.

Julian Worricke: Are there any particular areas of science where you’d most like to attract people?

Anna-Maria Arabia: We are both institutionally and discipline agnostic at the Australian Academy of Science. By which I mean we’re able to look at any discipline. We know that when you bring excellence to your scientific endeavour it breeds results; it leads to innovations that are unheard of or unthought of at the time of that discovery science. However, there is a case to be made at looking at national need and looking at areas where we may have capability gaps. The Australian Academy of Science has undertaken a number of studies in this area. So, looking at the potential pool of candidates who may wish to come here, there may be an opportunity to fill those gaps as a priority.

Julian Worricke: You launched this Global Talent Attraction Program as of Thursday and you warned the nation needed to act swiftly. So, what kind of timeframe do you have in your mind here?

Anna-Maria Arabia: We’ve established the program and done some modelling around the sort of relocation package that would be required to attract people to Australia. We’ve also surveyed the Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science, who collaborate with their counterparts across the world including in the United States. So, through them we have been able to gain a clearer picture on the sort of demand there is for relocation. We feel this will take time. You don’t just pack up your bags and leave immediately. But certainly, we’re willing to work with candidates who may be inclined to move. I think one of the things we need to remember about scientists worldwide is that they are driven by curiosity. They are driven by discovery. You can’t just turn research on and off and I think it’s that desire to continue their work for the global good that will drive people to want to continue in a nurturing environment. We hope Australia might be a destination that they would consider.

Julian Worricke: Well, thank you very much for coming on the program. Interesting to hear that perspective on all of this. That’s Anna-Maria Arabia, Chief Executive of the Australian Academy of Science.

The Australian Academy of Science is excited to announce the establishment of a Global Talent Attraction Program.

Australia has an urgent and unparalleled opportunity to attract the smartest minds leaving the United States to seed capability here and nurture the next generation of scientists and innovators.

We must act swiftly to capitalise on this opportunity.

The Academy is inviting funders to contribute to the Global Talent Attraction Program. Their visionary leadership will leave a profound and nation-building legacy.

Through the Global Talent Attraction Program, we are leading a national, coordinated effort to rapidly recruit to Australia leading US scientists and Australians returning home.

Our Program is institution- and discipline-agnostic. This allows the Academy to prioritise excellence and focus on areas of national need when attracting talent to our shores.

Australians have repeatedly witnessed the multiplier effect of embedding smart minds within the Australian R&D system. These individuals seed capability, create jobs, attract further investment, mentor young scientists, stimulate collaboration, contribute to the national economy, and shape our future.

When Professor Michelle Simmons AO FAA FTSE FRS decided to call Australia home, she seeded a 30-year development of quantum science that today sees Australia leading the race to develop the first quantum computer.

When Professor Lidia Morawska FAA joined Queensland University of Technology, she gifted Australia world-leading expertise in airborne transmission of disease that shaped the global response to COVID-19.

The Academy has designed a competitive relocation package sufficient to attract leading scientists and technologists to Australia to work in any research organisation or industry.

Our independence and more than 70 years of experience in international engagement, most recently demonstrated through the philanthropically supported Ukraine–Australia Research Fund, is instrumental in delivering this benefit to Australia.

There is no time to waste as other countries have already recognised the opportunity and are mobilising to attract talent to their shores.

This statement is attributable to: Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC PresAA FREng FTSE, President, Australian Academy of Science

Support the program

We invite you to partner with us to support the Global Talent Attraction Program. To find out more contact the Academy via philanthropy@science.org.au or phone +61 6201 9460.

Read the transcript of a BBC interview with the Academy Chief Executive about the program.

The Australian Academy of Science’s submission to the Australia Research Council’s (ARC) review of the National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) makes eight recommendations that would improve its effectiveness.  

Amongst them, the submission makes the point that: “two years is too short for the proposed Initiate scheme and embedded fellowships and recommends the Initiate grants have a minimum duration of three years, ideally four.”

Academy President, Professor Chennupati Jagadish, said shorter grants detract from research productivity and risk excessive administrative load, particularly impacting early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs).

“Longer grants are necessary to foster groundbreaking research and attract skilled researchers,” Professor Jagadish said.

The submission also recommends that the ARC change the design of the Lead and Mentor scheme to focus on talent attraction.

“The ARC should change the wider Lead and Mentor scheme's design to reflect the original intent of the Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowship’s, which was to be a talent attraction scheme for Australia.”

The Academy submission also calls on the ARC to explore how a new model for the NCGP can enhance international research collaboration. This includes incentivising overseas partner investigators' participation, providing opportunities for researcher exchange at overseas institutions and facilitating Australian researchers to access international funding schemes.

Academy President thanked the ARC for listening to the sector’s concerns and endorsed the ARC’s greater appetite for risk outlined in the proposed reforms.

“Any changes to the scheme should be considered in the context of broader transformation of Australia’s R&D system including not adversely impact early and mid-career researchers,” said Professor Jagadish.

Read the Academy’s full list of eight recommendations and submission.

Read the Academy’s EMCR Forum submission.

Five researchers have been awarded funding from the Australian Academy of Science to support research in fields as varied as rare-earth minerals and microplastics.

The Academy’s J G Russell Award provides financial assistance to talented younger researchers in the basic sciences. It recognises the costs involved in experimental research and can be used towards equipment, maintenance and travel.

The award is supported by the generosity of the late Miss J Russell and provides top-up grants of up to $7,000 to projects funded through the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA).

Dr Marcus Giansiracusa, University of Melbourne

Dr Marcus Giansiracusa’s molecular advances aim to enhance efficiency by reducing material quantities and lowering energy costs. Receiving the award will enable him to explore new applications for rare-earth minerals from a chemical design perspective.

“These elements, for which Australia holds a significant global supply, already play a pivotal role in modern technology,” Dr Giansiracusa said.

“I am honoured to receive the JG Russell Award, which will support me in establishing a collaboration with the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in the USA. I will gain expertise in techniques for quantifying spin coherence in candidate molecules for quantum computing applications,” he said.

Dr Morgan Li, University of Sydney

Dr Morgan Li seeks to enhance the understanding of microplastic transport in natural environments and raise public awareness about this pollution issue through scientific publications and engagement with the Australian microplastic assessment project (AUSMAP) platform.

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to contribute to community outreach in addition to scientific research. This will allow me to engage in scientific communication and share the fun of STEM with a broader audience,” Dr Li said.

Dr Sarah Piper, Monash University

Receptors are crucial proteins that transmit external information across the cell membrane to the cell interior. Using innovative structural biology approaches, Dr Sarah Piper’s project will investigate the molecular details on how the PAC1 receptor, an important G protein-coupled receptor, is activated and how different variants of this receptor change its shape and function.

“I will also utilise the latest 3D graphics tools to communicate the data through molecular movies and 3D animations,” Dr Piper said.

“The award will allow an extended visit with an expert computational lab to apply molecular dynamics simulations to better understand the function of these critical receptors.”

Dr Alexandre Siqueira, Edith Cowan University

Marine biologist Dr Alexandre Siqueira investigates the forces shaping coral reef biodiversity through history. His research aims to uncover the key features of ancient reefs that drove reef fish productivity, a vital ecosystem service for human nutrition.

With the J G Russell Award, Dr Siqueira will collaborate with experts at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, advancing modelling techniques and building networks to bring transformative insights about coral reef biodiversity back to Australia.

“My project brings together diverse disciplines to answer fundamental questions about coral reef ecosystems,” Dr Siqueira said.

“By understanding the past, we can better protect these habitats and the resources they provide.”

Dr Laura Williams, Western Sydney University

Dr Laura Williams’s research aims to understand the causes and consequences of the diversity of eucalypt trees in Australia. She combines spectroscopic data analysis with vegetation modelling to investigate how this diversity arose and its impact on ecosystem function.

“I am thrilled to receive the J.G. Russell Award, and I am very grateful to Miss Russell and the Academy for their support of early career researchers,” Dr Wiliams said.

“This award will support an overseas trip where I will visit and collaborate with several research groups using spectroscopic data to investigate the ecology and evolution of plants. I envision this trip will have immediate and lasting impact on my research by expanding my network of collaborators and giving me the opportunity to learn new analytical skills central to my DECRA project.”

Applications and nominations for the Academy’s 2026 awards and funding opportunities are now open.

I wish to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging.

Jai Patel and Shanthini Naidoo – thank you for your invitation to speak at this special event.

MR Rangaswami – congratulations on all that you have achieved and the impact you’ve created 13 years on from founding Indiaspora.

It is wonderful to be here at the SCG – a place of excellence, performance, and team spirit – much like the values that drive us in science and innovation.

About me

I was born in India, raised with deep cultural roots and a strong belief in education as a pathway to serve others. 

That belief brought me to Australia where I’ve had the privilege of building a career in science and today, I am a proud nanoscientist.  

I work with things a million times smaller than a pinhead. I could probably fit 21 lasers into a single strand of your hair… but don’t worry, I won’t try that tonight! 

Shared values 

It’s a very special occasion to be in a room like this – surrounded by people who believe in knowledge, service, and giving back. 

At the Australian Academy of Science, which I’m honoured to lead, we see science as a public good – something that belongs to everyone, and that should benefit everyone. 

That spirit is alive here tonight – in the work of Indiaspora, in what St Vincent’s does every day to care for our communities, and in the quiet efforts many of you make to build bridges across countries, sectors, and generations. Global society is the beneficiary of our many shared and important endeavours.  

Advancing science and medical research 

And we are living in an exciting time for science. Knowledge is moving fast, and the intersections between fields are where real breakthroughs lie. 

My own research sits at one of those intersections: using nanotechnology applied to neuroscience. 

We are using nanomaterials to stimulate brain cells – a potential non-invasive way to help people living with Alzheimer's. 

This work lies at the intersection of physics, engineering, biology and medicine – and it shows what’s possible when we think and work across disciplines. 

My discovery research over the past 30 years has also led to the creation of new solar cells, new methods to split water to create clean energy sources and breath sensing for ketosis.   

But I have learned that the most meaningful breakthroughs happen when we work together. 

Global Collaboration: India, Australia and the United States 

Science knows no borders and neither should we.  

Despite some of the challenges we currently face across the globe, the opportunities for Australia to work with India and deepen our connection could not be greater. 

India, Australia, the US and many more countries all bring something unique to the table of knowledge: deep expertise, global perspectives, talent infrastructure and world-class institutions. 

Australia and India have so much more potential to unlock – in AI, quantum technology, renewable energy, health, and more. 

There is an immense opportunity for Australia and India to deepen collaboration through joint research initiatives, PhD exchange programs and commercialisation partnerships in health, AI, quantum, renewable energy – to name just a few. 

Places like St Vincent’s show how global talent can come together to turn research into real care. 

And diaspora networks like this one can be the bridge – we carry the stories, values, and trust to make partnerships real. 

Philanthropy 

Beyond the lab, I believe deeply in giving – of time, knowledge, mentorship and through philanthropy. 

Many years ago, I directly felt the transformational impact that the generosity of others can have.  If it weren’t for the generosity of my maths teacher in India, today I would most probably be ploughing the field in India like my cousins. 

My maths teacher gave me the gift of education. Never could I have imagined that it could set me on a path to pursue inquiry and scientific endeavour and to become President of one of the most prestigious scientific organisations in the country, the Australian Academy of Science. 

This generosity inspired my wife, Vidya and I, to create a fund which gives students and researchers from developing countries a chance to travel to the Australia to pursue collaborative research and develop their networks. We have gone on to support initiatives at the Australian Academy of Science to nurture the next generation. 

Because talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. I leave you with this parting thought. 

I want finish with my sincere thanks, it’s been a pleasure to share stories, ideas, and possibilities with you all. Thank you. 

Academy President Professor Chennupati Jagadish delivered this speech at an Indiaspora event in Sydney on 8 April 2025.