Declan Clausen
[email protected] I was privileged to have recently attended the 13th annual Science Meets Parliament conference (SmP) held in Canberra as the recipient of a generous APESMA Scholarship. SmP is organised by scientific lobby group Science and Technology Australia, brings together more than 150 of Australia’s preeminent industrial and research scientists and engineers. The goal of SmP is to allow participants to discuss science with other scientists, the media, influential public servants and parliamentarians. I currently study Environmental Engineering full time at the University of Newcastle, and work part time at the Hunter Water Corporation as an Industry Scholar. Outside of University and work, I am incredibly passionate about politics and policy creation, making SmP a near perfect match for my current skills, qualifications and interest. The first day of SmP began with members of the delegation working in small groups to put together a web outlining the influences on science, politics and public policy. The remainder of the first day was spent discussing these contributing influences including discussions with a media panel, a budget officer from the Commonwealth Treasury, the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Innovation, and with a team from the Centre for Public Awareness who specialise in social media and demonstrated how the new media influences science. These activities provided a detailed insight which would provide participants with knowledge that would set the scene for the rest of the conference. The first day of SmP ended in a spectacular fashion with a formal dinner held in the Great Hall of Parliament House.