STA President to give National Press Club address, and the STEM Career Pathways report: Your update on science and technology policy and advocacy

There are just four weeks until Science Meets Parliament 2024 gets underway. SMP2024 will be the biggest and best event yet, with a galaxy of STEM stars, superb professional development, and unbeatable networking opportunities. Some 250 delegates have already registered, so move quickly to secure your spot to make sure you don’t miss out.  

We are thrilled to announce that STA’s research commercialisation rockstar President Professor Sharath Sriram will give the centrepiece National Press Club address at this year’s Science Meets Parliament. Sharath will be talking about the necessity of reaching a target of investing 3% of GDP in R&D, and the incredible opportunities ahead for the nation that will come from connecting the innovation ecosystem.

Echoing this, our pre-Budget submission on behalf of members makes a powerful case for a bold escalation in Australia’s R&D as a way of future-proofing the economy. To safeguard Australia’s standard of living, the country must boost productivity, and an essential driver of productivity is innovation. Innovation is powered by R&D. If we don’t dramatically escalate national investment in R&D we’ll have less capacity to grow Australian industry, a less healthy population, and fewer new technologies to tackle current and future challenges. The work on escalating investments in Australia’s R&D must start in the upcoming Budget.

Last week we welcomed the publication of two crucial workforce reports on the STEM sector – the STEM Career Pathways report which was conducted and written by STA on behalf of the Prime Minister’s National Science and Technology Council, and the final report of the Pathways to Diversity in STEM Review. 

The STEM Career Pathways report surveyed nearly 3,500 people working in STEM and highlighted the crucial and growing need for STEM skills from employers, as well as some of the barriers faced by STEM workers. We thank everyone who contributed to the survey - the strong response from the sector enabled us to produce a landmark report for government. 

STA made a submission to the Pathway to Diversity in STEM review on behalf of our members. We were pleased to see the expert independent panel who conducted the review accept our recommendations for a whole-of-government strategy to increase diversity and inclusion in STEM, the establishment of a dedicated advisory council, a government communications strategy to increase awareness about the importance of diversity in STEM, and acknowledge how important it is to give greater certainty to researchers through longer research grants.  

STA is a champion of diversity and our Superstars of STEM program has had a powerful effect on the public visibility of diverse scientists. We were delighted to see the program recognised as a model of best practice in the Review. We congratulate the Review panel – Sally-Ann Williams FTSE , Mikaela Jade FTSE and Dr Parwinder Kaur – for their work. 

All the best,

Sandra Gardam

Acting CEO, Science & Technology Australia

REPORTS AND POLICY

• The Australian Academy of Science released a paper on The future computing needs of the Australian science sector.
• The Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic MP announced members of a new AI Expert Group.
• Ed Husic MP also announced the release of updated SRI Budget Tables – a useful data tool that lays out Government investment in R&D. 
• The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the Hunter Nexus Dinner in Newcastle.
• The Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic gave a speech at Quantum Australia 24.
• The new Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy penned an opinion piece on future skills needs.
• Standards Australia adopted the international standard for AI Management System, which addresses ethical considerations, transparency and continual learning.
• AgriFutures Australia released a horizon scanning paper for Australia’s agricultural sector.
• The Productivity Commission released Why isn’t the gap closed?   
• Professor Barney Glover AO was announced as the new Jobs and Skills Commissioner.
• The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care released a draft paper on Emerging Health Technologies as part of the Health Technologies Assessment Review.
• Nickel was added to the critical minerals list.
• Public hearings were held for: the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors, and the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs inquiry into Equitable access to diagnosis and treatment for individuals with rare and less common cancers, including neuroendocrine cancer. 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUBMISSIONS

• The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is consulting on: new Nature Positive laws (submissions close 30 March and a proposal on wildlife trade for sea cucumbers (submissions close 14 March).
• The Australian Department of Home Affairs is consulting on Consultation on proposed new cyber security legislation and on changes to the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018.

GRANTS, FUNDING, AND OPPORTUNITIES

• The Australian Research Council Discovery Projects funding commencing in 2025 is open for expressions of interest. Submit your EOI before 27 February.  
• Cancer Australia's 'Supporting people with cancer' Grant opportunity round 15 closes 29 February 2024.
• The Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) is conducting a survey to gather information on researchers' access to government data.
• The National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia Matched Funding Program is open for expressions of interest for research grants of AUD$100,000. Applications close 4 March.
• Round 25 of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) grants are for applications. Apply before 5 March 2024.
• The Department of Industry, Science and Resources is calling for applications for the Chair of the CRC Advisory Committee. Applications close 5 March.
• The Defence Global Competitiveness Grant program – of grants from $15,000 to $150,000 – closes for applications on 31 March.
• Nominations for the Research Honours Aotearoa 2024 medals and awards are now open. The closing date is 31 March.
• Applications are open for the Business Research and Innovation Initiative for projects addressing challenges involving renewables and low emissions—apply by 3 April.
• The Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia is calling for applications from registered medical radiation practitioners and members of the community for its committee. Applications close 17 March.
• Nominations are open for the Australian Heritage Council. Applications close 17 March.
• Applications are open for Australia's AI Sprint – a three-month competitive program for startups and entrepreneurs. This CSIRO National AI Centre, Stone & Chalk, and Google Cloud collaboration closes for applications on 21 March. 
• FameLab 2024 is now open for applications. Are you an early career researcher looking to improve your communications skills? Apply by 7 April.
• The 2024 NOMIS & Science Young Explorer Award is now open for submissions. The award includes a cash prize of up to US $15,000. Applications close 15 May.  

MEMBER NEWS

Science Meets Parliament 2024

We have over 55 speakers locked in for Science Meets Parliament 2024! Don’t miss out on hearing from these eminent scientists, Parliamentarians, and some of Australia’s best science communicators and changemakers. Register before 4 March. Want to partner with us for our landmark event – Science Meets Parliament? Check out the partnership opportunities.

National Press Club address

STA President Professor Sharath Sriram addresses the NPC during SMP2024 on the opportunities to connect the innovation ecosystem towards getting to a target of 3% of GDP, and how it requires government, business and the education sectors to work together. Secure your tickets now.

World Indigenous Cancer Conference

STA is delighted to be the Promotional Partner for the World Indigenous Cancer Conference 2024 in March! This event brings together key Indigenous cancer researchers, clinicians, advocates and community to Naarm Country (Melbourne), Australia. Register now.

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