A physicist, Professor John Spence and a molecular biologist, Professor Matthias Hentze have been admitted to the Academy for outstanding contributions to their fields.

Corresponding members are a special category within the Academy's Fellowship comprising eminent international scientists with strong ties to Australia.  

Professor Spence, based at Arizona State University, was born in Australia and is internationally recognised for his contributions to the development and application of X-ray lasers to biology and molecular movies, and to atomic-resolution electron microscopy.

Professor Hentze is based in Heidelberg in Germany and is an early pioneer of RNA research. In collaboration with Australian scientists, his recent work has led to the discovery of hundreds of new RNA-binding proteins involved in gene regulation that foreshadow a new phase of our understanding of genome functions and metabolism. 

Along with corresponding members, the Academy elects up to twenty ordinary Fellows and normally one specially elected Fellow each year. These new Fellows will be announced in the final week of May.  

Improving chemistry research and education will be vital in supporting future industries, according to a new plan for the future of chemistry in Australia. 

The plan, developed by the Australian Academy of Science’s National Committee for Chemistry, envisages improved links between chemistry researchers and industry, as well as better quality school and tertiary chemistry education in Australia.

Advances in chemistry currently underpin more than $24 billion of Australia’s economic output, and more than 60,000 people are employed in the chemical industry. 

“Chemistry is the central science. A vibrant chemistry community in Australia that is fully engaged with industry will be vital to addressing some of our key challenges, including increasing agricultural productivity, developing new life-saving drugs and creating novel sustainable materials,” Academy of Science President Professor Andrew Holmes said. 

“We already have great chemistry expertise in Australia that bridges materials and biological sciences. Now is the time to start really taking advantage of this knowledge to drive new ideas and economic development,” Professor Holmes said.

“This is the first plan of its kind that brings together the chemistry community to consider the discipline as a whole and look at what it can offer Australia.”

The report also outlines strategic goals for chemistry, including improving teacher expertise, strengthening links between industry and the chemistry research community, and creating a positive image for chemistry. 

Professor Holmes and the chair of the plan’s working group Professor Paul Mulvaney are available for interview. Please contact the Academy’s media officer Bella Counihan 0419212219. 

The 2017 round of nominations and applications for the Academy's awards and grants is now open. 

The Academy’s honorific awards are open to senior scientists as well as mid- and early-career researchers across a range of disciplines in the physical and biological sciences.

The Academy is also calling for applications for research, conference and travel grants.

The closing date for award nominations is 30 April 2016 and the closing date to apply for travel, conference and research grants is 15 June 2016.

More about the Academy's awards and opportunities for scientists

Australia’s world-leading climate and environmental science capability is facing an uncertain future with the news of more major job cuts at CSIRO, according to the Australian Academy of Science. 

The announcement comes on top of cuts of more than $20 million to climate and environmental science in the 2014-15 Federal Budget. Media reports indicate that up to 300 positions in the organisation will change, mainly within the Oceans and Atmosphere and Land and Water divisions. 

Academy President Professor Andrew Holmes said there was now serious concern about Australia’s future capacity to conduct climate and environmental science, and our ability to contribute to the global monitoring of climate change. 

Read the Academy's media release

^{Photo caption: CSIRO headquarters, Limestone Avenue, Canberra (Photographer : David McClenaghan)}

Australia’s world-leading climate and environmental science capability is facing an uncertain future with the news of more major job cuts at the CSIRO, according to the Australian Academy of Science. 

The announcement comes on top of cuts of more than $20 million to climate and environmental science in the 2014-15 Federal Budget. 

Academy President Professor Andrew Holmes said there was now serious concern about Australia’s future capacity to conduct climate and environmental science, and our ability to contribute to the global monitoring of climate change. 

“Whilst the Academy is seriously concerned that CSIRO will no longer be leading Australia’s climate and environmental science research effort, we want to ensure that our national research capability is not lost in these important areas,” Professor Holmes said. 

“We call on the government to quickly make alternative arrangements to continue a comprehensive national program of climate research. Without a nationally coordinated effort, our diminished research capacity will mean Australia lacks the local knowledge necessary to adapt to a changing climate.

“Our climate and environmental scientists are some of the best in the world. We wouldn’t stop supporting our elite Olympic athletes just as they’re winning gold medals. Nor should we pull the rug out from under our elite scientists.

“Australia is internationally recognised for its expertise and unique position in climate and environmental research. Realistically, there are no other countries in the Southern Hemisphere that are able to do what we do. We have a singular contribution to make towards global and regional climate knowledge, and with this role comes a great responsibility to the global community.”

Professor Andrew Holmes is available for comment. To arrange an interview please contact Bella Counihan on 0419212219. 

Advances in the physical, mathematical and biological sciences in the past 20 to 30 years underpin $330 billion a year of Australia’s economic output, according to a new report commissioned by the Office of the Chief Scientist and the Australian Academy of Science.

Produced by the Centre for International Economics (CIE), the report found that without the last 30 years of advances in the biological sciences alone, our economy would be five per cent smaller than it is today, an annual difference of about $65 billion. 

The report synthesised a 2015 report on the importance of advanced physical sciences with a new study into the importance of advances in biological sciences.

Both reports were launched at the Shine Dome on 22 January by Academy President Professor Andrew Holmes and Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb.

Advances in the physical, mathematical and biological sciences in the past 20 to 30 years underpin $330 billion a year of Australia’s economic output.

These advances also support more than 1 million Australian jobs, or 10 per cent of total employment.

These findings are presented in a new report commissioned by the Office of the Chief Scientist and the Australian Academy of Science and produced by the Centre for International Economics (CIE).

The report is a synthesis of two CIE studies: a new analysis of the contribution of advances in the biological sciences to the Australian economy, and a 2015 analysis of the contribution of the advanced natural and physical sciences. 

Without the last 30 years of advances in the biological sciences alone, our economy would be five per cent smaller than it is today, an annual difference of about $65 billion. The burden of disease carried by our community would be 18 to 34 per cent higher, and

Australians would miss out on health improvements worth up to $156 billion every year.

Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb AC, said the reports underscore the importance of science to all Australians.

“Of course the benefits of science are difficult to measure. Of course those benefits can only be partially counted in dollar terms. But of course we have to investigate them, in economic as well as human terms, because we cannot afford to ever take them for granted. 

“We have, for the first time, a credible estimate of a phenomenon that defines our lives and underpins our prospects for growth. I trust it will inform our discussions about the actions we take to maximise the benefits of science for Australians.”

Professor Andrew Holmes AM, President of the Australian Academy of Science, noted that the finding that science contributes so substantially to Australia’s economy is consistent with similar analysis conducted in Australia and overseas.

“Our national situation is unique, but the message for all advanced economies is clear. Scientists, and the industries which harness their discoveries, are critical to prosperity.   

“We need Australian science to address our own challenges, just as we need it to have access to the new knowledge uncovered overseas.”

The 2016 and 2015 reports, along with 'The importance of recent advances in the physical, mathematical and biological sciences to the Australian economy  - a synthesis of findings from both investigations' - are available at www.chiefscientist.gov.au and www.science.org.au/support/analysis.

Professor CNR Rao was formally admitted as a Corresponding Member of the Australian Academy of Science at a ceremony in Canberra yesterday.

Professor Rao, who is one of the foremost world leaders in the area of solid state and materials chemistry, joins 27 other leading international researchers and science advocates with strong links to Australia. 

Professor Rao played a leading role in establishing the Australia–India Strategic Research Fund, for fostering a long-term scientific and technology partnership between the two countries. The fund is Australia’s single largest bilateral science and research fund.

The Indian High Commissioner to Australia, Mr Navdeep Suri attended the ceremony along with Fellows of the Academy. 

While in Australia, Professor Rao also received an honorary doctorate from the Australian National University.

Eight Fellows from the Australian Academy of Science are among a list of scientists, researchers and industry experts announced as part of the ‘Knowledge Nation 100’.

The inaugural list was compiled by the Knowledge Society and the Office of the Chief Scientist and launched by the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull following on from the government’s recently released National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA). It recognises 100 Australians who are at the cutting edge of innovation and science in Australia and who are contributing to Australia’s future economy. 

Professors Nalini Joshi, Hugh Durrant-Whyte, Martin Green, Gordon Wallace and Ian Frazer were recognised in the ‘STEM heroes’ category. Academy Secretary for Science Policy Professor Les Field and Professor Tanya Monro were among ‘the brokers’ and specially elected Fellow Catherine Livingstone was in ‘the evangelists’ category. 

The group will come together at a summit about innovation in the economy in March 2016.

Read more at the Knowledge Nation website.

A position paper released today by the Office of the Chief scientist brings a welcome focus on the importance of improving primary school science education. 

The paper’s suggested goals are improving the prestige of teachers, creating a national science professional development program for teachers and the creation of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Education Leadership Taskforce to act as a focal point for national engagement on science education. 

Other proposed measures include ways to attract high achievers into primary science teaching, educating primary principals to be science leaders, and making STEM preparation in pre-service teaching courses more rigorous. 

The Academy of Science has three education programs in maths and science: Primary Connections, Mathematics by Inquiry and Science by Doing.

Read the position paper at the Chief Scientist website.