Science & Technology Australia

STA CEO Ryan Winn reached a remarkable milestone this morning, completing his 100th blood donation! Plasma donations, like the one Ryan made today, play a critical role in treating 18 different conditions—from haemophilia and immune deficiencies to brain disorders and even tetanus vaccine production. What's even more inspiring is the impact of Australian research, with contributions from several STA member organisations, including Bioplatforms Australia and Sanofi, uncovering groundbreaking uses for plasma that are pushing the boundaries of medical treatment. "Every donation is an opportunity to save lives and advance scientific understanding," Ryan said. "I encourage all Australians to consider donating – it's quick, easy, and incredibly impactful." Your donation could be the lifeline someone needs today – it's easy to book an appointment online: https://lnkd.in/gD7AgaE Australian Red Cross Lifeblood

What an incredible day. Kicked off at the final Parliamentary Friends of Science event for the year. The event featured a remarkable line up of STEM leaders, presenting innovative and creative ideas to build an "Australia Made from Australian Ideas." A special thanks to thanks to Professor Madhu Bhaskaran FTSE, Anne Harris, Ruby Heard and Tanya Monro AC for their outstanding contributions. A key highlight was the tribute to The Hon Karen Andrews, whose tireless advocacy for STEM, women, and innovation has been truly inspiring. We were joined by former CEOs of Science & Technology Australia—Anna-Maria Arabia, Catriona Jackson, Kylie Walker, and Misha Schubert—as well as Australia's Chief Scientist, Cathy Foley, and Nobel Laureate Brian Schmidt, all celebrating Karen's legacy. Nothing wraps up a work event like having to dash across town to catch the heartwarming Kindergarten Nativity, with a standout performance from my smallest human, King George. Ed Husic MP Jas Chambers Mark Hutchinson Sharath Sriram Jeremy Brownlie Felicity Jones

Science & Technology Australia offers its huge congratulations and thanks to outgoing Australian Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM as her term in the top job comes to an end: https://lnkd.in/gf2DfMmH Dr Foley was STA President from 2009–2011 and was the inaugural Chair of STA’s influential Policy Committee in 2017.  She became Australia’s ninth Chief Scientist in January 2021 after a long and distinguished career at the national science agency, CSIRO. Over her four-year term as Chief Scientist, Dr Foley has worked tirelessly to develop emerging technologies such as quantum, advocated powerfully for better research metrics, and championed Indigenous Knowledge systems and women in STEM. “Without a doubt, Cathy is one of the most passionate advocates for science this country has ever had, and we hope will continue to have,” said STA CEO Ryan Winn. 

Science leaders thanked and congratulated former Science Minister The Hon Karen Andrews MP and four eminent Australian scientists explored the STEM research, ideas and innovation to drive Australia’s future economy at the year’s final Parliamentary Friends of Science event at Parliament House today: https://lnkd.in/gtRVq_XB The event heard from multi-award-winning electronics engineer and innovator Professor Madhu Bhaskaran FTSE, pharmaceutical industry leader Anne Harris of Pfizer, electrical engineer and founding director of Alinga Energy Consulting Ruby Heard of the Jaru people of the Kimberley, and Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro AC. This event also marked the final Parliamentary Friends of Science the Hon Karen Andrews MP will attend as co-chair and as a sitting member of Parliament, as she will not contest the next election. On behalf of the 235,000 STEM professionals Science & Technology Australia represents, we thank the Hon Karen Andrews MP for her deep commitment and solid support of science and innovation through the years. Her work has helped to ensure scientific evidence and expertise is known and heard in the halls of power and shared with Parliamentarians through this non-partisan group. We also thank her for her lifelong efforts to champion STEM, including as an engineer, in her participation at STA’s Science Meets Parliament events, in her role as a former Minister for Science, and as a mentor for STA’s Superstars of STEM program.

💉 If you missed it in my latest Science & Technology Australia newsletter, on Friday this week I’ll be rolling up my sleeve for something very special - my 100th blood donation! Want to join me in donating too? I promise you it's easy and not painful, at least after the initial little prick.. Every donation, whether it's plasma or whole blood, is a small act of kindness that can make a massive difference - did you know 1 in 3 people will need a blood product in their lifetime, and one donation is needed every 18 seconds!? As an o-neg whole and plasma donor, I am proud of all the lives I have saved and improved, especially a few close friends with auto-immune diseases. If you have not donated before or for a while, please consider joining me: you can do this online or by calling Australian Red Cross Lifeblood at 13 14 95. Your blood could go to a lifesaving surgery, or your plasma could go into 18 treatments, from vaccines to autoimmune treatments. Research is also finding new uses for plasma treatments, including by or supported by STA's members such as Sanofi, Bioplatforms Australia and Australian Council of Deans of Science, meaning more plasma will be needed in the future. Donating is easy, it leaves you with a warm feeling, and the milkshakes and party pies are awesome too! STA has a "Lifeblood team", so you can even join us - tell the staff at the donor centre or in the Lifeblood app go to ‘Teams’ and choose ‘My Teams’ - look for Science & Technology Australia 🔗 Find out how to donate here: www.lifeblood.com.au #BloodDonation #100Donations #GiveBlood #MakeADifference #lifebloodau

💡 A $6 million industry investment in R&D paid for itself in just 3-weeks — this is the power of research and industry/academic collaboration! I was excited and felt vindicated in my R&D advocacy today after reading about the quick results from a groundbreaking partnership between the Commonwealth Bank and Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML). Announced in September this year this new 5-year partnership, the largest private sector investment into foundational AI research in Australia, has shown how cutting-edge research can deliver immediate and transformative results. The Strategic Examination of R&D Funding announced by the Government and the Minister for Science, Ed Husic MP in the most recent Federal Budget, but yet to publicly start, must incentivise these sorts of projects and collaborations - they are great for jobs (and not just those in “lab coats”), growing domestic industries and Australia's prosperity in general! The article outlines how at a recent tech conference, CBA's Chief Information Officer, Brendan Hopper, explained how an AIML researcher discovered and helped implement a novel approach to fine-tune large language models (LLMs), using sine waves, that delivered insights so impactful that the entire investment paid for itself within weeks. This is clear evidence that industry/academic partnerships not only bolster Australia’s global competitiveness, but also highlights the “insane” value AI adds to our economy. The CBA/AIML partnership is a striking example of why Australia must strengthen ties between academia and industry. We know we have great Australian-based research talent, but we are not great at translating this. As AIML Director Professor Anton van den Hengel said, "it’s time for Australia to back its own research capabilities." We must increase government investment in foundational AI research to make Australia a leader in safe, effective and applied-AI and not afraid of AI. Investing in foundational R&D isn’t just about advancing knowledge—it’s about attracting talent, keeping innovation local, and building an economy that thrives in a global AI-enabled world. This is why Science & Technology Australia is proud of AIML, as one of its over 130 member organisations, and continues to advocate for stronger investments and policies to supercharge Australian R&D, including collaboration premiums. If we don’t act, we risk current and future jobs across our economy, especially in the global AI race. Check out this great article by Justin Hendry in InnovationAus.com at: https://lnkd.in/gsyTc4Pf Image: Igor Omilaev via unsplashed

The new newsletter is out! 📰 In this issue, STA CEO Ryan Winn discusses STA's President-elect, our Annual Report, Science Meets Parliament scholarships and an early-bird discount. Plus, we wrap up everything you need about Australian science and technology policy developments. Give it a read and hit subscribe for more!

Science Meets Parliament 2025 Scholarship Applications are NOW OPEN! With the generous support of our sponsors, STA is pleased to offer scholarships in six categories: Disability, First Nations, LGBTQIA+, Neurodivergent, Regional and remote, and Technology. Scholarships cover full registration costs to attend #SMP2025, accommodation, and transport to Canberra. 📅 Applications close on Monday 16 December 2024: https://lnkd.in/g7PGusZK 🤝 Looking to make an impact? We're seeking partner organisations to support these transformative scholarships. Your contribution can help shape the future of science policy in Australia: https://lnkd.in/gffr4B4S 

Australia's scientists and technologists have welcomed the appointment of Ms Rosemary Huxtable AO PSM by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP to lead the development of the National Health and Medical Research Strategy. Her deep experience in policy, investment planning and strategy - especially in the health and finance portfolios - makes her an excellent appointment for this process.  Science & Technology Australia has consistently called for government action on strategic frameworks and increased funding for Australian R&D, which sits at despairingly low levels. Health and medical research is a key component of Australia’s R&D and future industries, and is one of the five key pillars in the Government’s National Science and Research Priorities released in August this year by the Minister for Industry and Science, the Hon Ed Husic MP. "We were pleased that the Government listened to our calls and committed in the May 2024 Budget to a review of the whole R&D funding system, the Strategic Examination of R&D funding, and the National Health and Medical Research Strategy," said STA CEO Ryan Winn.  "Given the interconnectedness and complexity of Australia's research funding landscape, it will be vital that this strategy is developed in close conjunction with the strategic examination of R&D. This will be essential to ensure robust outcomes for health and medical research and the R&D sector more broadly." "This strategy, led by Ms Huxtable, will be key to strengthening and focusing our health and medical research ecosystem. Core to achieving this will be a final strategy that: facilitates collaboration and coordination; ensures sustainable research investment; strengthens the research workforce; enhances connections between research and clinical practice; and supports emerging innovative health industries and technologies." "Similar to the strategic examination, it will be vital that the development of the National Health and Medical Research Strategy must involve all parts of the research pipeline, including state and territory governments, philanthropy and industry - not just health and medical researchers." "On behalf of the 235,000 STEM professionals STA represents, we look forward to working with Ms Huxtable on this important and national enabling strategy." https://lnkd.in/gYHkJH6f

Massive congratulations to our 2023–24 Superstars of STEM cohort! Last night, we celebrated this constellation of stellar STEM professionals and their amazing achievements from this inspiring two-year journey! They’ve done so much to boost diversity of STEM experts in the media and inspired so many people, including a diverse array of school kids, with the great potential and wonder of STEM. During the Superstars of STEM program, our incredible Superstars cohort took part in thousands of media interviews, spoke to tens of thousands of school children, and fundamentally shifted the dial on what a scientist looks like. We couldn’t be prouder of our graduating #SuperstarsOfSTEM. Though their journey in the program concludes, they’ll always be bright and shining Superstars to us. Join us in celebrating their achievements and the impact they've made! Thanks to Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic MP, Australia's Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley, and Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who gave speeches congratulating our Superstars via video. Thanks also to former Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews MP, who joined us in person and gave her congratulations in a fabulous speech. Google, Defence Australia, Department of Industry, Science and Resources