Industry partnership stands true through pandemic: 3M

3 July 2020

Global industry giant 3M has demonstrated its commitment to supporting STEM in Australia during COVID-19 by continuing to provide funding support to the Australian Academy of Science in partnership despite planned events and activities being cancelled.

3M began collaborating with the Academy in 2019 by supporting the inaugural Science at the Shine Dome Schools Program.

The Schools Program provided an opportunity for 10 secondary students and their teachers involved in the New South Wales’ Science Extension course to attend the Academy’s Science at the Shine Dome 2019 event. This unique experience inspired the participants to become even more interested in science and research and highlighted why science matters now and into the future.

Funded by 3M, the program had intended to continue in 2020 with the partnership planned to expand into Victoria, to incorporate more diverse opportunities, wider participation and the provision of STEM education resources.

However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, Science at the Shine Dome 2020 was cancelled and the program could not occur. Despite this, 3M generously released the Academy from its partnership obligations.

Australian Academy of Science Chief Executive, Anna-Maria Arabia, said the support of industry during these unprecedented times is something to celebrate.

“3M has shown exceptional generosity and flexibility in allowing the Academy to retain the partnership support during the pandemic,” she said.

“On behalf of the entire Academy, thank you 3M for your unwavering support and intention to support the Academy in the future.”

3M Australia Managing Director, Chris LeBlanc, thanked the Academy for its tireless work and support.

“We are proud to be able to support the Academy with this flexibility in use of the grant and funding,” he said.

“I hope that this outcome will support your team while focusing on ramping up to better days on the other side of this COVID-19 pandemic.”

3M’s partnership support will contribute to the provision of independent, authoritative and trusted advice to the nation.

This includes work such as the recognition of exceptional scientists and research leaders; the formulation of scientific evidence to inform decisions; and the provision of education and communication resources.

Partner with us

The Academy has been named in the top 10 most prominent sources of information during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC).

The research, undertaken by media monitoring company Streem, looked at coronavirus-related media items in major metropolitan newspapers and the nation’s biggest news websites from the initial outbreak in China until the end of May.

The highest-ranked institution was the Peter Doherty Institute, closely followed by CSIRO and the Grattan Institute. The Academy ranked seventh in the list.

Australian Academy of Science Chief Executive, Anna-Maria Arabia, said since the outbreak of the pandemic the Academy had been working hard to provide the public with the latest and best evidence from experts regarding COVID-19.

“Not captured in this analysis are the hundreds of syndicated news stories published in regional Australian and other news outlets as a result of the extensive suite of COVID-19 videos and webinars produced by the Academy,” Ms Arabia said.

Our Fellows were also highly sought-after: Professor Peter Doherty was ranked third in media mentions of academics. He featured in Academy-produced webinars about COVID-19, along with Professors Eddie Holmes, Ian Frazer, Fiona Stanley, and Carola Vinuesa.

During the pandemic, the Academy launched a COVID-19 experts database and is leading the operations of the Rapid Research Information Forum, producing rapid evidence-based responses to questions related to COVID-19 posed directly by the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers.

The Academy is also providing free resources for home STEM education, publishing articles by experts under a new ‘Science for Australians’ banner, and supporting early- and mid-career researchers through online webinars.

The Academy has 2.3 million followers on Facebook, where Academy videos and articles about COVID-19 for a general audience remain popular. It also launched a video channel on Facebook and YouTube called Global Science TV, in partnership with the International Science Council.

Lyndal Byford, director of news and partnerships at the AusSMC, said it was reassuring to see that people qualified in immunology, virology and epidemiology had generally been the most prominent academic voices during the pandemic.

“In times of crisis, it is essential that the media can access the nation’s best scientific and medical experts so that they can share clear and accurate information with the public about what we know, but also about what we don’t know,” Ms Byford said.

See all the Academy’s content on its COVID-19 News and Resources Hub.

Australians have put their trust in science as a way forward to set our path out of the COVID-19 pandemic and meet the challenges arising.

Science can solve the problems of the twenty-first century, but not alone. Whether it’s the quest for a COVID-19 vaccine, the emergence of artificial intelligence or the challenges of adapting to climate change, scientists worldwide are working side-by-side with colleagues of other disciplines—including the humanities—to come up with the research and solutions to the problems our world faces.

As we come to grips with the implications of the Australian Government’s Job-ready Graduates Package for universities, and the challenges of the recovery from COVID-19, the Australian Academy of Science is ready to engage with government to ensure that Australian science education and research can play the role government has outlined for it.

New places and a focus on STEM welcome

The Academy welcomes initiatives to increase university places by 39,000 within three years, boost regional research capability, uncap places for Indigenous Australians, and establish a National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund.

Reducing the loans students will incur undertaking science and mathematics are to be commended, but it is important that the measures do not cause unintended consequences. Students must be encouraged, when selecting subjects to study, to undertake as broad a curriculum as possible.

The Australian Academy of Science stands with the nation’s other learned academies in expressing concerns about the implications of the announced package across all scientific and academic disciplines. Our society needs scientists, but it would be poorer if not for people educated in the arts, social sciences, management, commerce, law and the humanities. Scientists know that all knowledge is multidisciplinary, and a system that silos knowledge and values one sort of knowledge over another will fail Australians.

Reduced resources for science and engineering concerning

The proposed changes are complex and, ironically, while reducing fees for Australian students undertaking a science degree, thereby encouraging them to choose science subjects, they also decrease the government’s contribution, leading to an overall decrease in the funding for science and engineering. Unless this is addressed in the design of the National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund, this has serious implications for the capacity of universities to enrol more science students.

The government’s policy ambition is for Australian universities to educate more STEM graduates. This would be a good outcome for our nation, and for individual students. However, we are concerned that the current design of the package could create perverse incentives for universities to enrol fewer STEM students, as this package asks universities to educate more new science students from 2021, for 16 per cent less funding per student.

Securing the future of scientific research is key

The pandemic has exposed multiple deficiencies in Australia’s historic approach to its economic base. One of these is that Australia’s system of funding research, and in particular funding basic or fundamental strategic research, is broken.

The Academy encourages the government to turn its attention to safeguarding the future of Australian science research post the pandemic, by:

• examining the sustainability of Australia’s funding model for research, which is overly dependent on cross-subsidies from student (domestic and international) fee revenue
• funding the full costs of research
• addressing the decline of funding for strategic fundamental, basic research
• encouraging new partnerships and cultural change to reverse a decade of decline in business investment in research and innovation
• taking action to prevent the loss of up to 7000 researchers as a result of COVID-19 revenue losses. Research careers of early- and mid-career academics cannot be turned on and off like a tap—they require constant nourishment to maintain the pipeline of essential research capacity.

As Australia comes to grips with the recovery from the pandemic, and minimising any second wave, it is imperative that the science and research system that has served the nation well is put on a more sustainable, and secure, basis.

There is an opportunity for government to develop a wholistic response to the funding of Australian research, and the Academy looks forward to assisting the government in this endeavour.

The Australian Academy of Science has reaffirmed its commitment to gender equity in STEM by signing the ‘Preserving gender equity as a higher education priority during and after COVID-19’ joint statement.

The statement was published recently by the Higher Education Senior Equity Practitioners Advisory Group on Gender and COVID-19.

The Academy joins a growing number of universities and other sector partners, including Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE), in signing the statement.

The statement acknowledges the gendered impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including increases in caring responsibilities and family violence and reductions in workforce participation. It declares sector commitment to immediate and ongoing gender equity actions.

The statement echoes the findings of a report in May by the Rapid Research Information Forum which found hard-won gains for women’s advancement in the STEM workforce were at risk of a major setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Without concerted efforts to manage and mitigate the uneven impacts on women, progress towards achieving greater participation of women and girls in STEM as recommended in the Women in STEM Decadal Plan will be jeopardised.

The Academy notes all tertiary institutions and higher education sector partners are invited to sign the statement.

At this crucial time, the Academy also calls on all STEM organisations and leaders to affirm their commitment to the vision of the Women in STEM Decadal Plan and gender equity in STEM by becoming Women in STEM Decadal Plan champions.

For further information and to sign the joint statement, contact:

• Michelle Falconer, Senior Manager, Office of Equity and Diversity, Western Sydney University
• Dr Kieryn McKay, SAGE Project Coordinator, Western Sydney University.

A Queensland scientist who has led marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable coastal development projects across the world has been announced as the Australian nominee for the 2020 international ASPIRE Prize.

Dr Amelia Wenger, a marine conservationist from the University of Queensland, is one of 12 international nominees in the running for the prestigious US$25,000 Asia–Pacific region science prize, which is expected to be announced in August.  

The prize recognises young scientists who have demonstrated a commitment to both excellence in scientific research while working closely with scientists from other APEC member economies. This year’s theme, chosen by 2020 ASPIRE Prize host nation Malaysia, is ‘Biodiversity for a Prosperous Economy’.

Dr Wenger collaborates with communities and researchers to produce knowledge and tools for conserving marine ecosystems. The research produces tangible outcomes for both biodiversity and economies.

A research project she led in Western Australia from 2014 to 2018 resulted in the world’s first evidence-based management guidelines for protecting coastal fisheries from dredging activities, which have been adopted by the Western Australian government.

Dr Wenger said she felt incredibly honoured to have her research recognised.

“I’ve had amazing mentors and collaborators who have inspired me to make my research as meaningful as possible for conservation efforts,” Dr Wenger said.

The Australian Government and the Australian Academy of Science ran a national competition to select three Australian finalists for the ASPIRE Prize.

The top three Australian ranked applicants from this competition receive a prize of AUS$2000 each. The highest-ranked applicant then becomes the Australian nominee for the ASPIRE Prize.

Dr Carla Eisemberg from Charles Darwin University and Dr Jeremy Simmonds from the University of Queensland were also recognised as Australian finalists for this year’s prize.

Dr Eisemberg researches sustainable harvest practices of wildlife to ensure that Indigenous communities in Northern Australia and tropical Asia continue to have a traditional food supply, but also that the endangered turtles and other species that they hunt are protected. Her results may be used in Indigenous enterprises such as sustainable turtle farming as well as health policy.

The second finalist, Dr Simmonds co-led the development of a sustainability developemnt framework for businesses to compensate for the losses to biodiversity that their activities cause. It has already had significant impact in the policy space, with several countries and jurisdictions using this framework to reconcile their development and biodiversity goals.

Professor Elaine Sadler AO FAA, Foreign Secretary of the Australian Academy of Science wished Dr Wenger the best of luck representing Australia in the next stage of the ASPIRE Prize.

“It’s exciting to see the high-calibre research of these three finalists, who early in their careers, are already making an impact for biodiversity conservation, whilst also enriching communities and economies,” Professor Sadler said.

Associate Professor Madhu Bhaskaran from RMIT University was the last Australian to be awarded the ASPIRE Prize in 2018. She is only the second Australian to win the prize since the award’s inception in 2011.

The APEC economies are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong-China, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United States, and Vietnam.

Further information about the ASPIRE Prize can be found at the APEC website.

Professor Horace Barber FAA FRS and Professor Michael Barber AO FAA FTSE.

A generous donation by Academy Fellow Professor Michael Barber is set to make an enormous difference to the career trajectory of young or emerging scientists by enabling the Academy to engage two science policy interns in the coming months, ensuring gender diversity amongst them. He has also pledged a further donation the following financial year.

Professor Barber, whose donation of $25,000 will be applied in the 2020–21 financial year, hopes that the internship will provide policy, political and social insight and networking opportunities for talented scientists who are keen to understand the broader context in which science operates. He also hopes that his donation will inspire others to support the valuable work of the Academy.

Elected to the Academy in 1992, Professor Barber has served on committees and supported international relations. He has been elected to Council several times, including advising on science policy, and is currently the Academy’s Treasurer. He is also a member of the Development Advisory Committee which supports the Academy’s partnerships and fundraising activities.

This story, however, goes back even further for Professor Barber. He proudly speaks of his father Professor Horace Barber, also a Fellow of the Academy who was elected in 1958 in the founding years of the organisation. This rare father–son duo is a remarkable example of intergenerational dedication to research and service to science.  

Professor Michael Barber is internationally known for his substantial contributions to the mathematical development of statistical mechanics. His father, Professor Horace Barber, was distinguished for his contribution to plant cytogenetics.

“The donation from Professor Barber comes at a time when defining decisions are being made by the government about Australia’s future—decisions that will shape our lives well beyond COVID-19,” Academy Chief Executive, Anna-Maria Arabia said.

“Fellows and other leading experts have worked with the Academy to find ways to serve the country by providing the best scientific information available to support decision-makers at this critical time. They inspire me every day. 

“The Academy thanks Professor Barber for being among the visionary Australians who recognise and support our work. With his help the Academy is providing evidence to inform decision making at the highest levels to improve our national wellbeing and provide strong national leadership to build a society that is guided by and enjoys the benefits of science.”

The science policy internship will be announced on our website, once open for applications.

Five Academy Fellows have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours, receiving the Order of Australia for their outstanding service or exceptional achievements.

Three are among those named as Officers in the General Division of the Order of Australia.

Emeritus Professor Perry Bartlett AO FAA is recognised for distinguished service to neuroscience research, and to people living with dementia, motor neurone disease and spinal cord injury.

Professor Marcello Costa AO FAA is recognised for distinguished service to higher education and to medical research, in the field of neurophysiology and to professional scientific bodies.

Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM FAA FTSE is recognised for distinguished service to research science, to the advancement of women in physics and to professional scientific organisations. Dr Foley was elected a Fellow of the Academy this year.

Two Academy Fellows have been named Members of the Order of Australia.

Emeritus Professor Robert Baxter AM FAA is recognised for significant service to medical research, to endocrinology and to tertiary education.

Professor Andrew Roberts AM FAA FAHMS is recognised for significant service to medical research, to haematology and to cancer organisations. Professor Roberts was also elected a Fellow of the Academy this year.

The coronavirus pandemic has proven the world is capable of a global response to address a crisis. But why haven’t we seen the same type of swift action on climate change? And can we expect our leaders to pay as much attention to scientific advice for other challenges as we emerge from the pandemic?

Former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, and President of the International Science Council, Daya Reddy, discuss these issues in the inaugural episode of Global Science published online this week.

Global Science is an initiative of the International Science Council (ISC) and the Australian Academy of Science. The ISC is a non-government organisation with a unique global membership that brings together 40 international scientific unions and associations and over 140 national and regional scientific organisations, including academies and research councils.

Global Science builds on the Australian Academy of Science’s established and leading science communication effort which has shown there is a thirst for accurate and engaging science content.

By tapping into the ISC’s extensive network, each fortnight Global Science will broadcast interviews with the world’s best scientists and some of our greatest thinkers. Hosted by Australian journalist and clinical psychologist Nuala Hafner, the 20-minute conversational episodes will entertain and inform viewers on the most notable scientific issues that society faces today.

Australian Academy of Science Chief Executive Anna-Maria Arabia said the Academy is proud to be partnering with the International Science Council on the initiative.

“It is absolutely crucial that people understand the role of science during this time of crisis and beyond. Global Science will tackle the big questions of our time with the world’s leading scientific voices,” Ms Arabia said.

“The Academy has amassed 2.3 million followers on Facebook from only 9000 followers just over two years ago. I am delighted that in partnership with the International Science Council, we can expand our capability to allow leading global scientific voices to be heard at a time when we need more science, not less.”

In addition to the interview with Mary Robinson and Daya Reddy, the first episode of Global Science also explores how scientists accounted for the universe’s missing matter, in an interview with Associate Professor Jean-Pierre Macquart from Curtin University.

An upcoming episode will feature an interview with one of the ‘fathers of the Internet’, Vinton Cerf.

Watch the first episode below:

Subscribe and follow

• Subscribe to our series on YouTube
• Facebook
• Twitter
• #GlobalSciTV

Today, to mark World Environment Day, the Australian Academy of Science joins with 17 other academies of the Commonwealth to call on governments to ensure a sustainable recovery from the COVID‑19 pandemic.

The consensus statement calls for Commonwealth governments to use next year’s COP26 climate conference as an opportunity to work together to tackle the ongoing crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, and to ensure that global economic recovery from the COVID‑19 pandemic is environmentally sustainable across the Commonwealth and globally.

...the global pandemic does not change the fact that the world also continues to face an ever-growing environmental emergency.

From the statement:

"COVID-19 has had a profound impact across the globe, affecting health and health services, impacting the global economy, and exacerbating social and economic inequalities. Global cooperation and effective policy are essential for tackling the virus and for ensuring a successful economic recovery. But the global pandemic does not change the fact that the world also continues to face an ever-growing environmental emergency. Indeed, COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of governments working together and we must build on this global response to address the climate crisis.

"On the occasion of World Environment Day, and in a month when Commonwealth leaders would have gathered in Kigali for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), we therefore call on governments to continue to address the joint challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, and to ensure that global economic recovery from the pandemic is environmentally sustainable across the Commonwealth and globally. Delivering action on the urgent and interlinked challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable energy provision presents economic, social and environmental opportunities for the whole Commonwealth.

We call on Commonwealth Heads of Government to:

• Use the opportunities of COP26 and COP15 to coordinate discussions on the joint challenges of climate change and biodiversity and recognise their inherently interlinked nature
• Work with the global research community to identify scientific and holistic approaches for addressing climate change and biodiversity without causing unintended damage
• Grasp the opportunity of a decarbonised economy and its benefits for people and life on Earth
• Ensure a resilient and environmentally sustainable recovery from COVID‑19.

Read the full statement

Academy President Professor John Shine, said science has underpinned Australia’s successful efforts to halt the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Governments need to ensure that scientific evidence underpins their approach to addressing the growing impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss on humanity," said Professor Shine.

“As the consensus statement notes, failure to tackle these combined challenges in the increasingly narrowing timescale required will pose significant risks to human development and welfare, escalate societal inequalities, and impact all Commonwealth countries, particularly those that are most vulnerable.

“Recognising different capacities, challenges and priorities, the approaches of each nation will not be the same—but they must be informed by the best available scientific evidence.”

The statement has been signed by 18 national academies from across the Commonwealth, representing big and small nations around the globe:

• Academy of Science of South Africa
• African Academy of Sciences
• Akademi Sains Malaysia
• Australian Academy of Science
• Cameroon Academy of Science
• Caribbean Academy of Science
• Cyprus Academy of Sciences
• Indian National Science Academy
• National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka
• Pakistan Academy of Sciences
• Royal Society of Canada
• Royal Society of Edinburgh
• Royal Society Te Apārangi (New Zealand)
• Rwanda Academy of Science
• The Royal Society
• Singapore National Academy of Sciences
• Uganda National Academy of Sciences
• Zambia Academy of Sciences

Further reading

• The Australian Academy of Science’s Australian climate science capability review characterises Australia’s current climate science capability and identifies how well the climate science sector is positioned to meet current and future demands for weather and climate knowledge.
• The Australian Academy of Science’s science of climate change publication explains the current situation in climate science, including where there is consensus in the scientific community and where uncertainties exist.

The Academy’s STEM Women directory is now host to a growing collection of resources and opportunities aimed at increasing the attraction, retention and progression of girls and women in STEM.

Search and discover a range of mentor programs, articles and tools to increase diversity at conferences and events, an array of girl in STEM programs, advice and case studies on changing workplace culture, local STEM networks and much more. 

“STEM Women’s expanded functionality provides a place to share resources and opportunities that women in STEM have found advantageous to their own career,” said Louise Moes, Academy Diversity and Inclusion Manager.

“Many of the published resources were collected through a STEM Women community survey we conducted last year, and we thank those who shared their experience and resources.”

As a collaborative database, individuals and organisations can suggest resources and opportunities that will be reviewed and uploaded by the STEM Women team.

Are you a woman in STEM? Create a profile on STEM Women to gain access to monthly email updates on the latest resources and opportunities on STEM Women.

Visit stemwomen.org.au to learn more.