Australian Academy of Science

ANALYSIS

Elected President of the Academy earlier this year, Professor Andrew Holmes, AM, PresAA, FRS, FTSE is the ideal person to discuss some of the most pertinent issues facing the Australian and wider scientific community in the 21st Century

As an introduction to the work of the Australian Academy of Science under two presidents whose leadership was responsible for the present (AAS), can you offer a brief history as well as an overview of the aims strong position in which the Academy finds itself today. and objectives of the organisation? In my early years on the Council, the Academy received strong support The Academy was founded 60 years ago by a group of Australian Fellows from the government through an increased block grant and extra support of the UK’s Royal Society, and much of its structure resembles that of for special projects. This support assisted the Academy in consolidating the UK body on which it was modelled. There are about 480 Fellows and and developing its work in school education, public awareness of science, Corresponding Members with representation in the major population centres and building international collaborations, among other important of the country. Our Academy Building (the Shine Dome) and administrative projects. However, government support has declined more recently, headquarters (Ian Potter House) are located in Acton, Canberra. particularly in the Academy’s international programmes, and much of my time as Foreign Secretary was devoted to attempting to raise the The AAS promotes and recognises excellence in science in Australia, profile of the Academy in this area. But during this period, the Academy disseminates scientific knowledge, and provides independent scientific elevated its own profile by investing in strong science policy and advice for the benefit of Australia and the rest of the world. communication strategies.

You were elected to the AAS in 2006, subsequently being appointed To what extent has the level of science literacy changed among the Foreign Secretary in 2010 and President earlier this year. How has the Australian population over the last few years? Can you elaborate on Academy progressed since you became a member? the Academy’s involvement?

I was fortunate to have previously had experience as a Fellow of the Royal The 2012 results of the Programme for International Student Assessment Society before my return from the UK in 2004, which provided an early (PISA) showed that Australia ranked considerably higher than the opportunity to be a member of the AAS’s Council from 2007-10. I served Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 50 INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION ANALYSIS

average in scientific literacy, but still behind seven other countries, Interviews with Australian Scientists. The former provides a popular digital mostly from East and South-East Asia. The concern is that these are our information source on matters of scientific discovery for teachers, while economic and scientific competitors, and the comparative results suggest the latter contributes to the important historical record of Australian we are dropping further behind them over time. scientists, and aims to inspire young people to pursue a career in science. We strive to raise sufficient capital to support these ongoing initiatives. Over the past 10 years, the Academy has received strong Federal Government support for primary school (Primary Connections: Linking Have the Australian Government’s recent Federal Budget Science with Literacy) and more recently early secondary school (Science announcements regarding the science and research sector been by Doing) education programmes that focus on teaching science through welcomed by the Academy? inquiry based methods. Primary Connections also empowers primary teachers with no formal science training to teach the subject through The Academy strongly welcomes the announcement of the decision intense primary teacher educational training. Results indicate (through to provide a long-term substantial future fund to support the best rigorous assessment) that the programme not only improves scientific medical research carried out in the nation, where Australia already literacy, but also general literacy and numeracy skills. As the initiative has holds a deservedly strong reputation in a wide range of areas. The AAS penetrated almost three-quarters of all primary schools in the country, it embraces the commitment to provide long-term support for the Future is to be hoped that the investment will manifest itself in improved PISA Fellowships scheme administered by the Australian Research Council scores in subsequent years of assessment. (ARC); a significant resource for the career development of researchers.

How did the idea for ‘The Enlightening Campaign’ transpire? Can However, there is concern at the decision to reduce budgets for you discuss the scope of the Campaign and the Academy’s hopes for some of the publicly funded research organisations such as the its impact? Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO; see p100), Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Over time it became apparent there was a clear need to develop a Organisation (ANSTO) and Australian Institute of Marine Science charitable foundation that could provide continuing funding, independent (AIMS) because there is substantial evidence that public investment in of Government. After extensive consultation, it was agreed to direct the research increases productivity. major focus of this campaign to our educational programmes, with some support going to building capacity in science policy and educational R&D is a major contributor to knowledge capital and an important communication through the Academy’s Nova: science in the news and element of innovation. A 1 per cent increase in public research is WWW.RESEARCHMEDIA.EU 51 ANALYSIS

estimated to increase national productivity by 0.28 per cent. Australia’s The Academy is also a member of the Australian Council of Learned expenditure on R&D is only just approaching that of the OECD average Academies (ACOLA) that has produced, under the commission of the and any reduction in public funding will lower our contribution. Not only Chief Scientist, a series of authoritative publications related to the will this weaken Australian productivity at a time when improvements theme ‘Securing Australia’s Future’. are urgently needed, but the lack of long-term certainty in the ability to plan will undermine the effectiveness of the country’s R&D base. This Can you explain the broad aims of the Academy’s 22 National contrasts with countries such as the UK where the British Government Committees for Science? How will the recent restructuring of the has made strategic long-term commitments to provide level funding for Committees affect their work? the science base. Last year, the Academy conducted an overall review of the national The Academy approves of the recent call by Australia’s Chief Scientist committee structure. As a result, they were reorganised to cover a Professor Ian Chubb, AC, for the nation to support science to meet the broader spectrum of disciplines than previously existed. The Committees needs and goals of Australian society and its economy. The country have several functions. First and foremost they are the voice of the must develop an overall strategy to prioritise what the community scientific community in a specialist discipline. Therefore, they provide and economy need from Australian science. Professor Chubb pointed the scientific leadership and direction setting for the discipline. The out that Australia is the only OECD country without a science or new Committees – which also include non-Fellows, representatives of technology strategy. learned societies and early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) – will assist in the preparation of science policy documents and position What is the Academy’s role in advising the Australian Government? papers. They will also be responsible for preparing decadal plans of their disciplines that will be the roadmap for the future. Finally, each of the Members of the Academy have served in their individual capacity as Committees has a relationship with one or more of the international members of the Prime Minister’s Science Engineering and Innovation scientific unions in which Australian scientists are well represented Council (PMSEIC). The Academy also prepares position papers and as office bearers and active members. We place high value on our policy documents on issues of science, science careers, education and international collaborations. The international scientific unions and R&D policy, and advises the government on scientific issues of public member states all belong to the International Council for Science contention. These objective statements are independent of government (ICSU), which has just completed its triennial General Assembly in influence. Two recent examples that received financial support from Auckland. There, an Australian – Professor David Black – was elected government departments are the very popular Question & Answer series Secretary-General while Professor John Buckeridge was elected a on Climate Change and Immunisation. member of the Executive Board.

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EDUCATION AT THE ACADEMY

The Australian Academy of Science has five key initiatives focusing on different audiences that each aim to enhance understanding and engagement in science:

• Primary Connections: Linking science with literacy – an innovative approach to teaching and learning that aims to enhance primary school teachers’ confidence and competence for teaching science. Primary Connections focuses on developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in both science and literacy

• Nova: science in the news – provides accessible scientific information to help remove confusion surrounding complex science questions featured in the news for science teachers, students, journalists and anyone who is interested in learning more about the science behind topical issues

• Science by Doing – a comprehensive online science programme for Years 7-10 available free to all Australian students and teachers, and supported by award-winning professional learning modules and a research-based professional learning approach

• Interviews with Australian Scientists – accessible direct from the Academy’s website, and featuring some of Australia’s top scientists from various disciplines. Interviews are extensive and cover everything from early life to cutting-edge research and political issues

• Nobel Australians – featuring every Australian Nobel Prize winner, this section of the Academy’s website offers additional information on the winners themselves and their research

Does the Academy promote Australian scientific capabilities In addition, we have an annual Theo Murphy Think Tank for High internationally? Flyers that is organised and represented by members of this community. Some of these people have the opportunity of attending We place high value on our international collaborations. A member of a special early-career professional development stream at our Annual our Executive Committee holds the position of Foreign Secretary whose General Meeting and Science at the Shine event in May. Although we work is supported by a strong and experienced International Affairs do not presently have a Young Academy, we support the activities Department. There is also a dedicated advisory committee comprising of the Global Young Academy through linkages with our Forum, and Fellows with extensive experience in global matters. are delighted that this year one of the co-Chairs of the Global Young Academy is an Australian-based researcher. International activities range from administering a wide range of bilateral agreements with other academies; managing and administering The Academy has recently established the Science in Australia external international government-funded collaborations; supporting Gender Equity (SAGE) Forum (see p46). Why was this resource the worldwide activities of the National Committees and their links to established? scientific unions; and representing Australia in global science abroad. In 2013, we had an unfortunate situation in which no women were Owing to the need to connect with the 97 per cent of research that is elected Fellows of the Academy. That gave us the opportunity to not carried out on Australian territory, the Academy – and Australian think through all the issues that might lead to insufficient female scientists in general – place a high value on international partnerships. candidates becoming available for consideration to election of I have heard it said that Australians are welcomed in worldwide science the Fellowship. because they are capable of delivering what they promise. Certainly, in recent years we have held a high international profile through our Largely through the initiative of two members of Council and the extensive representation in the global scientific unions, our positions on interest of the Office of the Chief Scientist and the Chief Executives of the Executive Committee for the Global Network of Science Academies the Research Councils, we were able to assemble funds to allow senior (IAP), InterAcademy Council (IAC) and Association of Academies and members of the scientific community to participate in a meeting in Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA), as well as the abovementioned November this year (now called the SAGE Forum) that will allow us to representation on ICSU. This year, we were asked to act as hosts for the hear experiences of others such as the UK Athena SWAN programme. International Day at the 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. That gave From there, we hope there will be further initiatives to support us an unparalleled opportunity to promote the best of Australian science this effort. to an international audience of some 35 Nobel Laureates and 750 young researchers from over 60 countries.

Can you discuss the ways in which the Academy supports EMCRs? How does the EMCR Forum encourage such support?

The Academy recognised the desire of EMCRs to create their own forum and assigned a dedicated member of the secretariat to support the administrative activities of the Forum. The Forum manages its own membership, elections and events, but encouragement is given to all recipients of all relevant awards to join it. We have benefited by having representatives of this group on our National Committees and expert working groups. www.science.org.au