Nominations are now open for the Academy’s 2020 honorific awards, research conferences, research awards and travelling fellowships.

These awards and funding opportunities shine a light on researchers who have made outstanding contributions to science and help to progress the advancement of science in Australia.

The awards recognise remarkable achievements in research fields including Earth sciences, biology, physics, mathematics, chemistry, global health, genetics and more.

The Academy is committed to celebrating and supporting diversity. It is seeking nominations of outstanding scientists from all career stages, backgrounds and genders, and strongly encourages more nominations of women for all awards, in particular the career and mid-career honorific awards.

In the 2019 honorific award round announced recently, the Academy recognised scientists’ discoveries across the breadth of research—from how oceanic circulation impacts the climate to pioneering biotechnological methods for sequencing crop genomes.

Dr Kim-Anh Lê Cao from the University of Melbourne was awarded the 2019 Moran Medal for her work in developing novel statistical and computational methods for biological data analysis.

‘Science informs everything we know about all the world. Trying to answer very fundamental questions about how the world is shaping our planet, I think is really what drives me.’ she said.

The closing date for honorific award nominations is 1 May 2019. The closing date to apply for research conferences, research awards and travelling fellowships is 1 June 2019.

See all award and funding opportunities

10 April 1928 – 2 March 2019

Dr Margaret Middleton, a committed supporter of young researchers, has died aged at the age of 90.

Dr Middleton had a long and distinguished relationship with the Academy. She became a patron of the Foundation for Science in 1992 and had an active scientific mind throughout her life—not only as an observer on the award in her name but also participating in and leading discussions responding to Colin Butler’s 2003 report on Population and Environment in Australia, joining forces on that occasion with another Academy award patron, Dr William H Gladstones.

In 1997, in consultation with Dr Middleton, plans were laid to establish the the Margaret Middleton Fund for endangered Australian native vertebrate animals. The fund offers annual science grants of up to $15,000 each to support field-based, high-quality ecological research. The objective of the grant is to provide financial support for conservation-based research of Australian ecosystems that ultimately will lead to tangible outcomes for management.

Dr Middleton worked closely with the award selection committee over the following years and read every detail in the applications. Her generous and longstanding contributions have funded 82 research projects since 2000, many of which would most likely not otherwise have been undertaken. 

Research projects have ranged from investigations into vaccines against chlamydia infection in koalas, to studies confirming selective plastic ingestion by sea turtles and the disproportional ingestion of balloons, which supported the hypothesis that they ingest debris that resemble natural prey items such as jellyfish.

In 2019 the Academy awarded the Margaret Middleton Award to:

• Ms Rebecca Jane Webb, James Cook University: A novel conservation tool for controlling chytridiomycosis in Australian amphibians.
• Dr Teigan Cremona, Charles Darwin University: Can predator enclosures support recovery of small mammal populations in Kakadu National Park?
• Ms Heather Neilly, Australian Landscape Trust: Malleefowl as ecosystem engineers and drivers of restoration.

Margaret Middleton surrounded herself with an eclectic group of friends. Each and every one could tell stories about their time with Margaret and the keen mind that delighted and challenged the unwary.

Published 11 March 2019

Ten of Australia’s top young physicists, seven of them women, have earned the opportunity to attend a highly prestigious annual gathering of Nobel Laureates and emerging scientists from around the world.

The 69th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany will see a record 42 Nobel Prize winners—including Academy Fellow Professor Brian Schmidt—joining the young scientists at the event.

The Australian PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers attending are:

• Dr Katie Sizeland—Postdoctoral Fellow, ANSTO, who is investigating the nanostructure and mechanical properties of collagen
• Fiona Panther—PhD Candidate, Australian National University, who is researching antimatter in the Milky Way
• Eliezer Estrecho—PhD Candidate, ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies, who studies exciton-polariton Bose-Einstein condensates
• Dr Matthew Reeves—Postdoctoral Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies, who is investigating superfluid turbulence and vortex dynamics
• Dr Nora Tischler—Postdoctoral Fellow, Griffith University, who works in quantum optics and nanophotonics
• Melanie Hampel—PhD Candidate, Monash University, who  works in nuclear astrophysics
• Dr Sarah Walden—Postdoctoral Fellow, Queensland University of Technology, who studies nonlinear optics and material interactions
• Hareem Khan—PhD Candidate, RMIT, who works in electrical and electronics engineering of 2D materials
• Claire Edmunds—PhD Candidate, University of Sydney, who is researching quantum computing and information
• Samuel Hinton—PhD Candidate, University of Queensland, who is researching dark matter by studying supernovae.

These researchers were nominated by the Academy and selected by the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings. They will receive a grant to enable their attendance at the event, that runs from 30 June to 5 July 2019, through the generous support of the Science and Industry Endowment Fund (SIEF). 

The group will also take part in the SIEF Research Innovation Tour in Germany, led by renowned Australian scientist and Academy Fellow, Professor Chennupati Jagadish. The tour will showcase some of Germany’s finest research and development, while also providing opportunities to share the research done by the young scientists and encourage scientific collaboration between the two countries.

Outstanding contributions to science have been recognised by the Australian Academy of Science today with 20 of Australia’s leading scientists and future superstars receiving prestigious 2019 honorific awards.

The scientists’ discoveries cross the breadth of research from how oceanic circulation impacts the climate, to the use of tools that advance the understanding of the chemistry within cells and how the body’s immune defences combat infectious disease. 

Distinguished Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC FAA from the Australian National University has been awarded one of the Academy’s top honours, the Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal. He helped develop semi-conductors used in LED lights. He also designed and developed some of the world’s smallest lasers. Born in India, Professor Jagadish grew up without electricity.

“I didn’t have much light as a child and studied in front of a kerosene lamp until Year 7. That’s why I’m interested in developing technologies that will benefit humanity,” Professor Jagadish said.

Protecting crops from disease is essential for our food sources. Mid-career researcher Professor Jaqueline Batley from The University of Western Australia is studying the DNA of plants to better understand genes that lead to greater crop resilience. Her research has helped increase crop yields for canola, broccoli, cabbage and wheat. A role model for women in STEM, Professor Batley is the recipient of the Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science.

Early-career researcher Associate Professor Anna Giacomini from the University of Newcastle has pioneered research in rock mechanics and rockfall analysis in civil and mining engineering. Her research has resulted in the design of new low-energy rockfall barriers that are now used extensively along our major corridors in Australia. Associate Professor Giancomini is one of two recipients of the John Booker Medal.

President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor John Shine, congratulated all the award winners for their inspiring research.

“These awards highlight just some of the important and distinguished research being led by Australian scientists, who seek to address some of society’s biggest challenges. Recognising and highlighting outstanding scientific contributions is important, as award recipients are the STEM role models for the next generation,” Professor Shine said.

The Academy’s 2019 honorific awards go to:

Career honorifics (for lifelong achievement)

• David Craig Medal—Professor Peter Gill FAA, Australian National University
• Hannan Medal—Professor Alan Welsh FAA, Australian National University
• Jaeger Medal—Professor Dietmar Müller FAA, University of Sydney
• Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal—Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC FAA, Australian National University
• Matthew Flinders Medal and Lecture—Dr Richard Manchester FAA, CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility (previously announced)

Mid-career honorifics (8–15 years post-PhD)

• Jacques Miller Medal for experimental biomedicine—Professor Nicholas David Huntington, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Monash University
• Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science—Professor Jacqueline Batley, The University of Western Australia

Early-career honorifics (up to 10 years post-PhD)

• Anton Hales Medal—Professor Isaac Santos, Southern Cross University
• Christopher Heyde Medal—Professor Geordie Williamson FAA FRS, University of Sydney
• Dorothy Hill Medal—Dr Laurie Menviel, UNSW Sydney
• Fenner Medal—Dr Daniel Falster, UNSW Sydney
• Gottschalk Medal—Associate Professor Laura Mackay, Doherty Institute
• John Booker Medal
  • Professor Changbin Yu, Australian National University and Westlake University (China)
  • Associate Professor Anna Giacomini, University of Newcastle
• Le Fèvre Medal
  • Associate Professor Elizabeth New, University of Sydney
  • Dr Lars Goerigk, University of Melbourne
• Moran Medal
  • Dr Kim-Anh Lê Cao, University of Melbourne
  • Associate Professor Stephen Leslie, University of Melbourne
• Pawsey Medal—Professor Steven Flammia, University of Sydney
• Ruth Stephens Gani Medal—Dr Justin Wong, Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology

The majority of the honorific awards will be presented at the Academy’s annual celebration of science, Science at the Shine Dome on 30 May 2019. Read more about the Academy’s 2019 honorific awardees.

Know an amazing Australian scientist? Nominate them for an award. Nominations and applications are now open for the 2020 Australian Academy of Science honorific awards, research conferences, research awards and travelling fellowships.

The Independent Assessment of Fish Deaths interim report released by Minister David Littleproud today is a welcome contribution to the growing evidence base to help inform action to improve the health of Australia’s rivers.

The fish kill is a multifactorial issue and it is in the national interest to ensure all the available knowledge is brought to bear in assessing this concerning situation and finding appropriate solutions.

Decisions to maintain and improve Australia’s river system based on the best available science is something all Australians want to see.

The expert panel of multidisciplinary experts, convened by the Australian Academy of Science, notes that the interim report reaches similar conclusions to the expert panel’s report released earlier this week regarding declining flows.

“We note that while the terms of reference for the government panel, and hence the scope of findings and recommendations are narrower, within the common scope there is good agreement across the two reports,” Professor Moritz said.

Expert review Panel Chairman, Professor Craig Moritz FAA said the interim report’s recommendations primarily focus on monitoring and management of current flows but, as yet, do not directly assess the cause of the longer-term decline in flows down the Darling.

The expert panel will continue to work collaboratively with the government panel convened by Professor Robert Vertessy. A number of the Academy’s expert panel members are taking part in the technical workshop arranged to review the interim report on Wednesday, 27 February.

The expert panel also notes the MDBA discussion paper on Climate change and the Murray Darling Basin Plan released on February 20. This paper reflects the expert panel’s recommendation to improve forecasting of the effects of climate change on river flows and health and is very welcome.

The expert panel remain hopeful that there can be a bipartisan approach to solving the issues along the Darling.

The Australian Academy of Science has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Education, Dan Tehan, of a review of Australia’s science and research priorities.

Academy President Professor John Shine said that the current science and research priorities and the associated practical challenges have been useful in informing research directions.

“Our existing nine priorities were developed by former Chief Scientist and Academy Fellow Professor Ian Chubb through an extensive process of consultation,” said Professor Shine.

“At the time of their announcement in May 2015 there was an intention that they would drive increased research investments in areas of immediate and critical importance to Australia, and that they would be reviewed every two years.

“A great deal has happened in the Australian research policy landscape since 2015 and it is both important and timely that we have a new national conversation about our priorities going forward.”

The review panel announced by the Minister will be chaired by Australian Research Council Chief Executive Professor Sue Thomas and will include experienced Vice Chancellors and senior executives from Australia’s research and innovation sector.

Also included on the panel are Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel and National Health and Medical Research Council CEO Professor Anne Kelso AO, both Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science.

The Australian Academy of Science has welcomed the findings of the Senate Committee Inquiry into the Great Barrier Reef 2050 Partnership program; particularly its recommendation that government address the impact of climate change on the reef and on Australia more broadly.

Academy President Professor John Shine AC said that it was pleasing to see a clear focus in the report on effectively tackling climate change and linking public investments in the reef to the Australian and Queensland governments’ Reef 2050 Plan.

“The key priorities for protecting and preserving the reef are to improve our understanding of the stressors and the best interventions through rigorous, peer-reviewed research, to improve water quality and to address climate change.

Professor Shine noted that Australia has a number of major institutions with established expertise in reef research and management, including CSIRO, the Australian Institute of Marine Studies, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and a number of universities.

“The Academy has consistently called for a more strategic focus on improving the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef to climate change. The bottom line is that to preserve the reef for future generations, Australia will need to make significant additional investments over the coming years, whether through the Great Barrier Reef Foundation or through our other agencies.

“Without such efforts, the Reef 2050 Plan will fail to meet its objectives, and we’ll lose all or part of one of our major natural treasures,” Professor Shine said.

Scientists asked to investigate the fish kills in the Murray-Darling River system in NSW say a failure to act resolutely and quickly on the fundamental cause—insufficient flows—threatens the viability of the Darling, the fish and the communities that depend on it for their livelihoods and wellbeing.

The multidisciplinary panel of experts, convened by the Australian Academy of Science, also found engagement with local residents, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, has been cursory at best, resulting in insufficient use of their knowledge about how the system is best managed.

The scientists say their findings point to serious deficiencies in governance and management, which collectively have eroded the intent of the Water Act 2007 and the framework of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan (2012).

Chair of the expert panel, ANU Professor Craig Moritz FAA, said the sight of millions of dead fish from the three fish kills was a wake-up call.

“To me, it was like the coral bleaching event for the mainland,” Professor Moritz said.

“Our review of the fish kills found there isn’t enough water in the Darling system to avoid catastrophic outcomes. This is partly due to the ongoing drought. However, analysis of rainfall and river flow data over decades points to excess water extraction upstream.”

The expert panel recommends that urgent steps can and should be taken within six months to improve the quality of water throughout the Darling River.

“That should include the formation of a Menindee Lakes restoration project to determine sustainable management of the lakes system and lower Darling and Darling Anabranch,” Professor Moritz said.

The panel also recommends a return to the framework of the 2012 Murray Darling Basin Plan to improve environmental outcomes.

“The best possible scenario is water in the Darling all the way to the bottom and in most years. We are hopeful that this could be achieved if the panel’s recommendations are implemented,” Professor Moritz said.

Australian Academy of Science President, Professor John Shine, said the scientific advice of the expert panel is a synthesis of the best available knowledge.

“In undertaking this body of work the multidisciplinary expert panel has collaborated with other relevant experts as required and received extensive data from a number of Federal and State agencies,” Professor Shine said.

These agencies include the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, the Land and Water Division of the NSW Department of Industry, the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, the NSW Department of Primary Industries, the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, and the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, in addition to data and information provided by researchers in many related fields. The expert panel wishes to acknowledge the cooperation of these bodies and individuals in promptly providing data.

The expert panel also operated closely with the Independent Panel to Assess Fish Deaths in the Lower Darling, initiated by the Government and chaired by Professor Robert Vertessy, including sharing data and a reciprocal review of findings.

The expert panel report

Read the report: Investigation of the causes of mass fish kills in the Menindee Region NSW over the summer of 2018–2019

The main findings and recommendations are in the executive summary. The report was independently assessed by seven independent peer reviewers, including one international reviewer.

Related media releases

• Academy to provide science advice on fish kill (21 January 2019)
• Panel of experts to review fish kill announced (23 January 2019)
• Academy welcomes independent assessment of fish deaths (23 January 2019)
• Wealth of data triggers revised reporting date for Academies’ expert advice on fish kills (7 February 2019)

The Australian Academy of Science has welcomed the findings of an independent review of the Defence Trade Controls Act.

Academy President Professor John Shine AC said that the review by Dr Vivienne Thom AM confirmed the original intent of the Bill to balance Australia’s international trade and security obligations with the need for our researcher workforce to engage collaboratively with partners around the world.

“The Academy of Science was very concerned at proposals put forward by defence officials in 2015 to introduce sweeping new powers to restrict the international exchange of knowledge and ideas,” said Professor Shine.

“Further restrictions would effectively have limited Australian researchers’ ability to engage in international research collaboration and to benefit as a nation from the many international research collaborations and expertise on which a substantial proportion of our economy relies.

“We’re very pleased that these concerns have been heard and believe that the recommendations in the review strike the right balance in Australia’s national interests.

“We trust that the Australian Government will heed the recommendations of the review to continue strengthening and streamlining the administration of this legislation.

Background

The Defence Trade Controls Act was introduced in 2012 to regulate the international supply or exchange of certain technologies with potential military applications.

The Act was amended in 2015 following an extensive consultation process led by then Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb AC FAA FTSE, with a provision for a review of operation after two years. 

The Australian Academy of Science has welcomed the Federal Opposition’s commitment to establish an Australian Future Mines Centre to co-ordinate exploration work and lead the scientific research and development necessary to explore under deep cover, funded by a $23 million Australian Research Council Special Research Initiative.

The Academy of Science is well positioned to provide input into this initiative as it meets many of the strategic goals laid out in the UNCOVER Roadmap, a blueprint launched by the Academy and AMIRA International in August 2017 to unlock Australia’s enormous potential mineral wealth.

The roadmap, supported by 53 organisations coordinated by AMIRA International, is based on the vision of the UNCOVER AUSTRALIA initiative, established by the Australian Academy of Science in 2012.

The UNCOVER AUSTRALIA initiative identifies what is required to transform Australia’s ability to find non-bulk mineral resources such as copper and gold under the majority of Australia’s landmass.

The Academy also welcomes Labor’s commitment to build the future workforce needed to support Australia’s high-tech mining and resource sector.  It is encouraging to see a commitment to providing $2 million for 100 scholarships to address the decline in mining engineering enrolments, half of which will target women.

Academy Fellow and Chair of UNCOVER AUSTRALIA, Dr Phil McFadden welcomed the commitments by Labor.

“Australia needs new geoscience, technology and infrastructure to boost the rate of discoveries for base and precious metals and deliver Australia’s major new mines of the future.

“Funding key elements of the UNCOVER roadmap will allow Australia to build on our scientific knowledge and develop new technologies that are necessary to increase the chances of finding economic deposits in the 70% of Australia that is covered by moderate or deep sediment.

“With the growth in renewable energy for example, we’ll need more copper in the next 15 years than we’ve used in all of human history,” Dr McFadden said.

Academy Fellow and UNCOVER Implementation Committee member, Professor Sue O’Reilly, said the evolution of the UNCOVER initiative is a template for how high-quality science can assist Australian industry.

“Since its inception, the UNCOVER AUSTRALIA initiative has seen strong cooperation across various sectors who have strategically focussed on understanding how we can use knowledge of how the planet works for successful mineral exploration in the covered areas of Australia,” Professor O’Reilly said.

“This funding commitment puts Australia in a good position to re-establish itself as a world leader in minerals exploration and ensure strong economic growth for our future.”