Elizabeth and Frederick White research conferences
Award highlights
- With the generous support of the late Lady White MBBS and the late Sir Frederick White FAA FRS, the Academy established a series of research conferences in the physical and mathematical sciences related to the solid Earth, the terrestrial oceans, Earth's atmosphere, solar-terrestrial science, space sciences and astronomy.
- The purpose of the conferences was to advance at the most fundamental level of the understanding of the subject, to introduce to Australian research new aspects or directions, and to encourage participation of overseas scientists.
- This award is now part of the Workshop Series award to support researchers in Australia to run small specialist workshops to enable active researchers to discuss current problems, and thereby contribute to the advancement of Australian science and society.
This award will not take applications after 2025. Please see the Workshop Series for the Academy's new program to support scientific workshops.
The Elizabeth and Frederick White research conferences covered topics in the physical and mathematical sciences related to the solid Earth, the terrestrial oceans, the Earth's atmosphere, solar-terrestrial science, space sciences and astronomy. Their aim is to advance at the most fundamental level of the understanding of their subject, introduce to Australian research new aspects or directions, and encourage participation of overseas scientists. If you are interested in holding a conference, please see the Workshop Series for the Academy's new program to support scientific workshops.
Past conferences
- 2025/26: Exploring the first billion years of the universe
- 2024/25: Workshop on the role of atmospheric dynamics in climate
- 2023/24: Integrated Earth: linking our planet’s processes from the core to the atmosphere
- 2022/23: Crafting a science agenda for Critical Zone Research in Australia
- 2021/22: Multiscale Dynamics of the Southern Ocean
- 2020/21: Mathematics Sol Terrae
- 2019/20: Linking galaxies from the epoch of initial star-formation to today
- 2018/19: Gas–Solid Reactions in Earth Sciences and Astronomy
- 2017/18: The sensitivity of the Antarctic Ice Sheet to marine climate change perspectives from the past
- 2016/17 Galactic Archaeology and Stellar Physics: Understanding the origins of the Galaxy and its stellar content
- 2015/16 Elizabeth and Frederick White Conference on Mining Data for Detection & Prediction of Failure in Geomaterials, Shine Dome, Canberra
- 2014/15 Elizabeth and Frederick White Research Conference. Quantum astronomy and stellar interferometry: celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Narrabri Stellar Intensity Interferometer. Darlington Centre, Sydney.
- 2013/14 Elizabeth and Frederick White Research Conference, Mathematics of Planet Earth 2013, Melbourne.
- 2012/13 Exploring the Radio Continuum Universe with SKA Pathfinders, an Australian Academy of Science Elizabeth and Frederick White Conference, CASS, Sydney
- 2011/12 Elizabeth and Frederick White Research Conference, The evolution of photosynthesis and oxygenation of the Earth, University of New South Wales, Sydney
- 2010/11 Minerals at extreme conditions – integrating theory and experiment, Shine Dome, Canberra
- Nuclear Astrophysics in Australia, 2009 Elizabeth and Frederick White Research Conference, The Shine Dome, Canberra, 24–25 August
- The Magellanic System—2007 Elizabeth and Frederick White Research Conference, CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility, Epping, 16–17 July 2007
- Mastering the data explosion in the Earth and environmental sciences—Elizabeth and Frederick White Conference, The Shine Dome, Canberra, 19–21 April 2006
- Planetary Timescales: Stardust to Continents—Elizabeth and Frederick White Conference, Australian National University, Canberra, 16-19 February 2004
One conference is funded annually. Conferences are usually of about two days duration with a membership of 20-30. A sum of up to $10,000 is provided. The supplementation of this sum is encouraged.
Organisers are asked to make an undertaking on acceptance of an offer of funding from the Academy to call their conference an Elizabeth and Frederick White Conference and to advertise it as such.
Research conference applications are in two stages.
Organisers are invited to submit an online Expression of intent (EOI), which should include:
- proposal (1 page)
- the aims, value and timelines of the conference, including an indication of support from the local scientific community and the importance for Australian science
- a tentative program, including expected number of attendee and any known or invited speakers
- a brief outline of anticipated budget
- provisional dates and venue
- names of the organisers
- how the diversity and inclusion of speakers and attendees will be actively considered and where possible, achieved.
Note that conferences that are one of a continuing series are less likely to gain support unless they specifically address a newly emerging theme or topic within the broader area of the series.
Expressions of Intent are short-listed by the awards committee Chairs in June, and the organisers of short-listed proposals are asked to provide a detailed application by 1 August. Full applications should include:
- expanded explanation of the aims and value of the conference (up to 1,000 words)
- a list of projected active participants
- a detailed program budget, including other sources of income
- at least one letter of support from the supporting organisation/society.
The final decision is announced in early November.
Venue hire of the Shine Dome is complimentary for up to two days where requested. Please note that AV equipment and technician, catering and caretaking are not included in the complimentary Shine Dome venue hire. Shortlisted applicants are requested to contact the Shine Dome Venue Coordinator for a quote as part of their application budgeting. At this stage, applicants should also check availability of proposed dates, and a tentative hold will be placed on these dates. Please note that this is not secured until the award is granted, but will increase the likelihood that the dates will still be available if/when awarded.
