IMPACTMAGAZINE OF THE AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING ATSE.ORG.AU NUMBER 211 | 2021

Seeking sustainability No time to waste ATSE Awards 2021 On Thursday 10 June we will announce the winners of our ATSE Awards 2021. These awards celebrate the achievements of Australians at the vanguard of science, technology and engineering.

All Award winners will be shared on our website on Thursday 10 June 2021

Clunies Ross Award Innovation Clunies Ross Award Entrepreneurship Clunies Ross Award Knowledge Commercialisation Recognises leaders who have shared their vision and knowledge to apply technology for the benefit of Australia.

Batterham Medal for Engineering Excellence An early career award for a graduate engineer who has achieved substantial peer/industry recognition for their work in the past five years.

ICM Agrifood Award Acknowledges the outstanding work of two early career scientists or technologists.

Ezio Rizzardo Polymer Scholarship Recognises the potential impact of an outstanding PhD candidate in polymer science or engineering.

David and Valerie Solomon Award An early-mid career award for a science or technology graduate working in academia/research or industry R&D who demonstrates substantial ability to foster research- industry collaboration and knowledge transfer for the benefit of Australia. atse.org.au 28 Cover photo by Francesco Ungaro / Unsplash

PUBLISHER Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering

ADDRESS Level 2, 28 National Circuit Forrest ACT 2603

POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 4776 Kingston ACT 2604 TELEPHONE 26 36 +61 2 6185 3240 +61 3 9864 0900 FEATURES EMAIL [email protected] 6 Towards a waste free future CEO By Susan Pond and Phillip Butler Kylie Walker

EDITORS 20 A vaxxing time Benjamin Hickey Interview with John Skerritt Liz Foschia and Gordon Naylor

DESIGN Elizabeth Geddes 22 A virtuous circle By Veena Sahajwalla 46 ISSN 1326-8708 (print) 2207-8223 (electronic) 26 When the mattress king met the queen of waste REGULARS PRINT POST By Liz Foschia Publication number 4 From the President’s desk 100007367 28 The perfect storm: How can we feed 5 Welcome from the CEO COPYRIGHT the world without wrecking the planet? © Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering By Tim Reeves 10 New Fellows

DOWNLOAD AS A PDF 32 Solar: The next energy revolution 12 Academy submissions atse.org.au By Martin Green 16 Academy news 36 Dugongs, disaster and making The Academy acknowledges the 53 IMNIS — Industry mentoring Traditional Owners of the land a difference on which we meet and work. Interview with Helene Marsh 56 STELR — STEM education We recognise the deep knowledge and practices 42 Troubled waters 58 Fellows’ achievements embedded in the oldest By Stuart Khan continuous culture on the 62 Vale planet – Australia’s history of engineering, technology and 46 Defending scientific values 66 What we’re reading applied science spans more in a “post-truth” age than 60,000 years. We pay our By Trevor Danos respects to Elders past, present and emerging. 48 Space for diversity By Sarah Pearce

IMPACT 2021 3 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

What will make Australia sustainable?

It is no surprise that sustainability is the most cogent issue for most of ATSE’s Fellows, especially as many of the issues that threaten our planet and our lifestyle, are amenable to technological and engineering solutions.

For example: In addition to regulation, there • mitigating and adapting to climate is another topic that we as change (including achieving net zero technologists and engineers need emissions by 2050 or sooner) to address and that’s “social sustainability”. By that I mean all • providing food for Australia and the factors that go into creating a the world socially cohesive society. These are the • managing our scarce water resources very underpinnings of the success of Education is the key to social • stopping the deluge of waste we are Australia: equity, the rule of law, fairness, sustainability. While we have a sound producing by repurposing it for new respect, diversity and inclusion, equal education system, it is severely products opportunity and equal treatment lacking when it comes to developing before the law. STEM career paths for students. • improving our health care system and making it cheaper despite an In my view, technology has I believe the drift we have been ageing population unfortunately led to a steady drift witnessing in inequity is due to the • stopping (or at least slowing) the away from these fundamental values fact that a lack of STEM training is extinction of species – a situation accelerated by the putting many jobs out of reach for COVID pandemic. There is plenty of segments of our population. To ensure • supporting local manufacturing data to show the pandemic has had the sustainability of our economy and • creating flexible and reliable a devastating effect on segments of our society we need to address this with supply chains. the population while hardly impacting some urgency, which is why this is one of others. ATSE’s top three priorities. This issue of Impact will show that technological solutions which can Using US figures (and ours are likely Ultimately, as technologists, if effectively address these problems to be similar) about 42 per cent of the our solutions do not create social are not only possible, they’re likely. population was able to use technology sustainability as well as environmental to work from home and maintain their sustainability, we shall have failed. This However, technology on its own does income. At the same time, that group is a complex challenge without simple not solve problems. Technology must accounted for around two-thirds of solutions. But it is not insuperable. fit into a political and regulatory economic activity . framework that encourages its adoption. The rest of the population was either forced to go into “frontline” workplaces As an example, without regulation (where they were much more exposed there is no financial incentive for to contagion) or were out of work and producers to manage their waste. seeking part-time and piece work, It would probably be cheaper to resulting in the increased spread simply dump it somewhere. of the virus (just consider the workers in our aged care facilities). The same applies to the waste from power generation (and other processes), My point being that our social system Professor Hugh Bradlow namely carbon emissions. Unless you is not set up to ensure equity and this FTSE regulate their removal, human nature is undermines the sustainability of our Hugh Bradlow is the President such that people will not bother. Anyone whole society. It should not have taken of the Australian Academy of who has worked in a regulated industry a pandemic to make us recognise that Technology and Engineering. You can read his reflections such as telecommunications will tell forcing people into multiple part-time on the big issues facing Australia you that regulation is an essential jobs is not a formula for the health of on our website. complement to technology. any of us.

4 IMPACTIMPACT 2021 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering WELCOME FROM THE CEO

Sustainability is a core value of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.

It’s listed proudly on our Values Statement, alongside integrity and transparency, inclusion, collaboration, excellence and independence, and professional pride.

“We strive,” says the statement, “to support science and engineering to build and analyse environmental, social and economic renewable energy generators. Our new sustainability through our activities and coding education program, CS in Schools, operations”. And I’m proud to report that is promoting Australia’s digital capability Fellows and the Secretariat are working with its ambitious target to deliver quality, in partnership to ensure the Academy is free computer science education to every threading this value through everything Australian school student. Our successful we do. Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS) program is building a thriving collaboration Our three priority issues, as identified culture and creating nation-building Kylie Walker by Fellowship, are mitigating and Chief Executive Officer career pathways for skilled graduates by adapting to climate change, enhancing Kylie Walker is the CEO of connecting STEM PhD students with research collaboration, translation and the Australian Academy of senior industry mentors. Technology and Engineering. commercialisation, and exciting and educating young people in STEM. All three With the opening of our new head office priorities speak to environmental, economic in Canberra, ATSE is applying the principle and social sustainability. of sustainability closer to home, too. Our In our policy work, we’ve produced a major refit was deliberately low-impact: we’re report laying out a pathway for Australia in a retro-fitted office in an older building, to become a waste-free economy while within walking distance to many of our growing jobs and exports. We’ve publicly key partners and Australia’s political disseminated an expert but plain-language leadership, so we’re cutting down on car explainer to how Australia is tracking against and plane travel. its emissions reduction targets. We’re In completing the refit, we left almost all the creating ambitious new net zero targets existing walls, windows and carpets in place, and proposing the technology pathways and sourced our furniture from a closely- to achieving them. located Australian manufacturer to minimise Acknowledging that Australia’s original construction waste and freight miles. And technologists and engineers are custodians we’re proud to feature as a splashback in of the most sustainable society on the our new kitchenette ‘green ceramic’ tiles planet, we’re also incorporating Aboriginal composed of recycled textiles and glass, and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and made in a new NSW microfactory into the policy submissions we make to using technology invented by ATSE Fellow Government inquiries and consultations. and materials engineer, Professor Veena Sahajwalla. Through our STEM careers pathways programs we’re supporting the sustainability Of course, Professor Sahajwalla is just one of our sector, and of the Australian economy, of many ATSE Fellows working every day to by nurturing a highly-skilled and diverse apply their world-class expertise to building future workforce with science, technology, a more sustainable future. engineering and mathematics capabilities. As ATSE’s commitment to advocating for, Our long-running, hands-on secondary practically supporting, and practising education program STELR has sustainability sustainability continues to grow and at its core: our kits and resources guide develop, I’m proud to present to you this teachers and students through applying sustainability issue of Impact.

IMPACT 2021 5 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering Towards a waste free future

TECHNOLOGY READINESS IN AUSTRALIA’S WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY SECTOR

It’s time to change how we think about How big are the potential social, economic waste. The ever-more complex products and environmental benefits in moving from that surround us have shorter and shorter a linear to a circular economy? life cycles – even though they’re made of valuable, durable materials like metal One sector’s trash … and plastic. The economic argument for a circular Current disposal practices squander the economy is compelling: more efficient use energy, resources and value locked inside of resources, less waste management costs, Dr Susan Pond these products, and gravely threaten and new highly-skilled jobs, particularly in AM FTSE FAHMS our environment and health. small and medium enterprises. Susan Pond is a leading scientist renowned for her work in pharma- Altogether, Australians generate 67 million There are also significant environmental, cology, biotechnology, and sustain- tonnes of waste each year. Most of that is health and social benefits to an economy ability. She is currently Chair of the NSW Smart Sensing Network. not recycled. We’re not alone – if the current based on good design, reusing products and A former Vice President of ATSE, global trajectory is maintained, by 2050 materials, and recovering resources to use she co-chaired the Project Expert humanity will need the equivalent of almost again. Working Group for this report. three planets to produce enough resources to satisfy global consumption. Just a five per cent increase in material efficiency in Australia could boost the But while it’s easy to “admire the problem” economy by $24 billion. So what’s holding us of waste, ATSE’s report on technology back? ATSE set out to answer this question. readiness in the waste and resource recovery sector set out to find systemic Want not solutions. This report is the third in a series The expert working group was guided by the of technology readiness reports supported findings of the 2018 National Waste Report, by the Australian Research Council, with the and focussed specifically on the volume first two looking at transport and health. and impact of waste in masonry materials, Phillip Butler Through this project, a team of ATSE Fellows organics, paper and cardboard, plastics FTSE and other leading experts considered key and glass. Phil Butler is a national leader in questions about technology readiness manufacturing innovation. He is in this increasingly vital sector. We also looked at emerging waste streams the creator and director of Textor such as e-waste, lithium-ion batteries, solar Technologies, a global textiles What if we could design more resource- photovoltaic panels, and tyres, as these are exporter. He co-chaired the Project Expert Working Group for this report. efficient products using materials that increasing with little planning in place for could easily be recovered and used again? their end of life.

6 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering 7

POLICY TECHNOLOGY READINESS WASTE & RESOURCE RECOVERY 2021 IMPACT IMPACT The Ellen MacArthur Foundation The Ellen MacArthur Waste and pollution Waste accidents, not are but the consequences made decisions of the design stage, at cent 80 per where environmental of are impacts determined.

Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering Technology of Academy Australian

or disassembled once they reach the end they reach disassembled once or impacts. safety and analytics will inform big data Sensors, in design and product these improvements efficiency, and energy material innovation, life cycles and end of maintenance treatments. and recovery resource Advanced manufacturing innovative and need sophisticated We materials resources, recover to technologies would that waste from and energy landfill. for be destined otherwise must materials the recovered Furthermore, purposes before or products be used in new need We “recycled”. they can be considered for the necessary infrastructure develop to pre- including sorting, this waste, processing logistics. and reverse collection processing, as e-waste, such streams waste Emerging photovoltaic and solar lithium-ion batteries toxic and metals rare panels contain than quantities in much higher materials technologiesneed the We products. current and safely. them separately process to essential to support and guide the systemic the systemic support and guide to essential develop, must Australia need. change we and existing new numerous adopt or adapt sectors, of a number across technologies particularly in manufacturing. the application at looked we report, In our solution areas: three in technologies of design Conscious Good design will is a design flaw. Waste and create waste, of the generation avoid reusable, durable, are that products be remanufactured to able or repairable life. first their of examples several provides The report been designed have that products of to “forever”. last MacArthur Ellen the UK-based quote To and pollution are “Waste Foundation: the consequences but accidents, not the design stage, at decisions made of environmental of cent 80 per where determined.” are impacts stewardship product Improved the lifecycle in need all stakeholders We its for responsibility take to a product of and health, economic, environmental,

tency across jurisdictions across tency erm policy certainty tive-based policies tive-based long-t incen consis and portfolios.

• • Australian, state and territory governments governments territory and state Australian, waste revolutionise to together work must government targeted with avoidance reform. and regulatory investment solutions Technology-supported the only necessary isn’t technology While it is economy, a circular for ingredient a huge opportunity to maximise the value value the maximise to a huge opportunity retail in its manufacturing, materials of of the benefit for ecosystem and waste the environment. and society the economy, policy paradigm new A this to barrier one key found report ATSE’s does Australia now, right future: exciting and regulatory policy, the right have not to support the economic frameworks innovation and investment technology needs. industry waste our infrastructure recovery Any gains in resource which in certainty, depend on investment and turn depends on economic feasibility that found we However, policy settings. change for is an immense appetite there consumer growing and rapidly the sector in the issue. of awareness recovery and resource waste Australia’s innovation- for has huge potential sector the necessary have We lead growth. technological and social readiness skills, the right need are possibilities – all we economic and policy settings. we economy, thriving circular a create To includes: that framework need a national • The ATSE team researched extensively extensively researched team ATSE The right with stakeholders and consulted and resource waste Australia’s across with multinational including sector, recovery companies. knowledge, of vein a rich tapped We demonstrating case studies and practices stream, by waste stream waste how, agencies and government companies, communities making the transition are economy. a circular towards is the report principle of The overarching of all stages at value have materials that has Australia that found We lifecycle. their IMNIS is transitioning to an ‘All of STEM’ program

Australia’s leading program connecting PhD students and early-stage postdoctoral researchers with high profile industry leaders is expanding.

NETWORKING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IMNIS Mentees have the opportunity to participate in state and national networking events and industry-led professional development workshops.

REDI CONNECT In partnership with MTPConnect, IMNIS is expanding the Researcher Exchange & Development in Industry (REDI) program initiative by doubling the number of Mentees in high job-growth areas.

MENTOR TOMORROW’S LEADERS IN STEM If you’re keen to invest in Australia’s STEM capability by becoming a Mentor with IMNIS, please reach out to us at [email protected]

TODAY’S INFLUENCERS MENTORING TOMORROW’S LEADERS IN STEM

AUSTRALIA WIDE IMNIS holds activities and events in major capital cities throughout the year IMNIS is an initiative of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering [email protected] (03) 9864 0902 0488 438 001

atse.org.au imnis.org.au 9

POLICY TECHNOLOGY READINESS WASTE & RESOURCE RECOVERY 2021 IMPACT IMPACT WASTE & RESOURCE RECOVERY RESOURCE & WASTE Towards a Waste a Waste Towards Future Free

READ is available online is available online the full report Read MORE IMPACT gained considerable The report media coverage WEBINAR from Held with attendees A recording Australia. around atse.org.au was Future Free Waste a Towards 2020. published in November

Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering Technology of Academy Australian

regulatory reform, and policy certainty and policy reform, regulatory Research Centres aimed at better design better aimed at Centres Research in order is essential waste and reducing viable economically practical, create to scale. at work that solutions circle Full support recommendations ATSE’s Together, Australia’s towards work and accelerate avoidance, waste for targets ambitious the in and recycling recovery resource Plan. Action Policy Waste National to industry a guide for They also provide business sustainable more towards shift of will find plenty Readers practices. contained the case studies in inspiration And manufacturers and designers should designers and And manufacturers track critical to technologies use up their of materials. valuable and investment government Targeted 4. expands Government Australian the If Modernisation the $190 million Recycling deal withto stream and adds a new Fund it would waste, problematic emerging, for signals and certainty clear provide investment. demand should also drive Governments by amending materials recovered for procurement mandating or regulations further introducing materials, recycled of and investing levies, landfill bans and/or process to infrastructure in decentralised locally. and resources waste Cooperative support of Continued report. the full in the recommendations least, but not Last willthat research priorities for provide create cutting-edge technologies right technologies cutting-edge create shift support our to Australia in here future. a waste-free towards work to will continue we 2030, to Looking as it Government Australian the with and Policy Waste its National implements the and Plan, Action Policy Waste National that support them. programs various a and conditions for the systems Putting economy in place will empower circular the damage reduce drastically to Australia and environment, our to does waste income into streams waste our transform streams.

paradigm shift to design for design for to shift paradigm A and recovery productivity waste avoidance waste decision making by policy-makers, and consumersbusinesses

The Australian Government, in collaboration in collaboration Government, Australian The governments, territory and with state resource an ambitious national should set They – double by 2030. target productivity basic design and enforce should also set Australian- for and specifications standards products. made and imported the waste and manufacturers Researchers, also have sector recovery and resources these systems. play in to roles important inform to and analytics Big data 3. Designers, manufacturers, retailers and retailers manufacturers, Designers, that the reality with faced are consumers and waste change consumption must we and policy uncertainty But inertia, habits. slow to led have disincentives market progress. can tip the scales toward Government but models, business innovative and new this drive must consumers ultimately behaviour Changing consumer demand. Australian the solution and the key is marketing national can create Government these supporting campaigns aimed at changes. will change Companies with leading brands from away products their the design of easily if be recycled cannot that packaging Social scientists demand it. consumers their waste promoting into can prioritise research behaviour. consumer avoidant resource increase to approach systems A 2. product of understanding deeper A policymakers, cycles will empower life make to businesses and consumers decisions. better and academia should doIndustry the potential into research interdisciplinary and smart systems of and applications artificial intelligence. should prioritise implementing Governments and harmonised data consistent reporting. analysis and classification, The path forward The path key four made ATSE Based on its findings, help policymakers, to recommendations Australia and academia in industry to a thriving the transition accelerate economy. circular 1. New Fellows 2020

A bio-engineer who is 3D printing “ATSE Fellows are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to advancing replacement body parts, a star engineering, technology and applied science: astronomer and the inventor of these are the best of the best.” Academy the world’s most accurate clock President Hugh Bradlow said. are among the stellar crop of Due to COVID-19, the Fellows were announced 25 new Fellows elected to the with a nation-wide online video presentation, Academy of Technology and which you can watch at: Engineering. atse.org.au/newfellows2020 Richard Bolt PSM FTSE Principal, Nous Group and Adjunct Professor of Energy Transformation, Swinburne University of Technology (VIC)

Professor Vicki Chen Professor Liang Cheng Professor Alice Clark Adjunct Professor Trevor FTSE FTSE FTSE Danos AM FTSE Executive Dean of Winthrop Professor, Deputy Director, Strategy Chair, Northern Sydney Engineering, Architecture University of Western Sustainable Minerals Local Health District (NSW) and IT, University of Australia (WA) Institute, University of Queensland (QLD) Queensland (NSW)

Distinguished Professor Professor Renate Egan Professor Sally Gras Professor Elanor Kingsley Dixon FTSE FTSE FTSE Huntington FTSE John Curtin Distinguished Professor, UNSW Sydney Professor, University of Dean, College of Professor, Curtin University (NSW) Melbourne (VIC) Engineering and Computer (WA) Science, Australian National University (ACT)

10 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering Dr Steve Jefferies Professor Stuart Khan Robert Klupacs FTSE Professor Andre Luiten AO FTSE FTSE CEO, Bionics Institute (VIC) FTSE Former Managing Director, Professor, UNSW Sydney Director, Institute for Grains Research & Develop- (NSW) Photonics and Advanced ment Corporation and Sensing, University of former CEO of Australian Adelaide (SA) Grain Technologies (ACT)

Professor Darren Martin Gordon Naylor FTSE Dr Sarah Pearce FTSE Professor Simon Ringer FTSE Retired President of Seqirus Deputy Director, CSIRO FTSE Professor, University of (VIC) Astronomy & Space Academic Director, Core Queensland (QLD) Science (NSW) Research Facilities, University of Sydney (NSW)

Professor Shazia Sadiq Professor Cordelia Distinguished Professor Professor Mark Stewart FTSE Selomulya FTSE Daichao Sheng FTSE FTSE Professor and Director, Professor, UNSW Sydney Head and Distinguished Professor, University of University of Queensland (NSW) Professor, University of Newcastle (NSW) (QLD) Technology Sydney (NSW)

Dr Vanessa Torres FTSE Professor Anton van den Professor Hala Zreiqat Professor Willy Chief Technical Officer, Hengel FTSE AM FTSE FAA Zwaenepoel FTSE South32 (WA) Co-Director, Australian Professor and Director, Dean of Engineering, Institute for Machine University of Sydney (NSW) University of Sydney (NSW) Learning, University of Adelaide (SA)

IMPACT 2021 11 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering Submissions from the Academy

Job-Ready Graduates Package ATSE’s Budget Priority – STEM National Water Reform Draft Legislation skilled jobs and industry- Issues Paper August 2020 research collaboration September 2020 The Australian Government’s 2020 August 2020 In 2020 the Productivity Commission Higher Education Reform Package ATSE’s pre-budget submission undertook its first five-year inquiry into represented some of the most highlighted how investment in progress on national water reform in significant changes to tertiary technology could address major Australia. ATSE’s input into the inquiry education in Australia in the last 30 challenges, support critical national highlighted that water will always be years, and will impact current and future capabilities, and create future growth scarce in Australia and the challenges generations of students in Australia. industries following the economic of managing it efficiently are only disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. increasing along with the risks. ATSE has long advocated for incentives to encourage domestic students to ATSE argued that directing such ATSE recommended a long-term, choose fields of study that lead to jobs investments towards greater economic strategic, national approach to water of national priority, particularly in STEM, and environmental sustainability would management and a regular, transparent but it was disappointing to see that build Australia’s resilience and unlock process of measuring compliance and no new money will enter the sector to the full potential of our future workforce. progress of reforms. ATSE urged the achieve this outcome under the reforms. Australian Government to commit to We specifically recommended a 10-year strategy for national water Along with other stakeholders, ATSE also government investment in responsible reform and address responsibility and raised concern that the funding model technological solutions for agile and governance arrangements in had the potential to provoke perverse responsive modern manufacturing and the National Water Initiative. outcomes and actually disincentivise supply chains, clean energy, integrated universities to enrol domestic students digital healthcare, and advanced data ATSE has continued to engage with the in STEM subjects, but unfortunately no collection and analytics to provide more Productivity Commission during this changes were made. reliable and better equity of access to inquiry. Our input was explicitly used in goods, services and utilities, as well as the draft report released in February ATSE released a media statement creating jobs in Australia. 2021 and has been reinforced through in response to the proposed draft evidence provided in the inquiry’s legislation to highlight this and The 2020-21 Federal Budget included a public hearings. other issues. number of measures aligned to ATSE’s pre-budget submission, including the Modern Manufacturing Strategy and the Technology Investment Roadmap.

12 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering POLICY

Higher Education Support Review of the MRFF Priorities Submission to the Inquiry into Amendment Bill 2020 October 2020 Higher Education Legislation September 2020 ATSE’s submission recommended seven October 2020 ATSE’s submission to the Higher areas for the Medical Research Future ATSE’s submission to the Senate Education Support Amendment Bill Fund (MRFF) to focus on during the Education and Employment Legislation 2020 commended the Government’s next 12 months: Committee Inquiry into the Higher proposed investments in training a • global health and health security Education Legislation Amendment STEM-ready workforce and connecting • Aboriginal and Torres Strait (Provider Category Standards and industry with the tertiary research Islander health Other Measures) Bill was critical of sector, but reiterated our earlier concern • ageing and aged care the proposed measures, which would (regarding the Job Ready Graduates • digital health intelligence increase both the scale and quality Package) that universities may receive • clinical researcher capacity of research expected of an Australian less funding per STEM place under the • drug repurposing university and impose new costs, red new funding model. • public health interventions. tape and uncertainty in the sector – already reeling from the impacts ATSE raised these issues with the Senate These priorities were also based of the COVID-19 pandemic. Standing Committee on Education on the findings of ATSE’s major report and Employment’s Inquiry into the on technology readiness in the Further, regulation of the quality of draft legislation, but these changes healthcare sector. university research has never been were unfortunately not made to the attempted in Australia or in another legislation. The committee’s final The revised MRFF priorities adopted comparable country. The Tertiary report was released in September ATSE’s recommendations on the need Education Quality and Standards 2020 and the legislation was passed for sovereign capabilities in health Agency was not established to in October 2020. and medical research. regulate the quality of research and has received no new funding or resources to undertake the role. National Preventive Health Review of the ERA and EI ATSE’s concerns were reported in Strategy assessment frameworks Campus Morning Mail to the higher September 2020 October 2020 education sector, but unfortunately, were not taken into account in the Based on the findings of ATSE’s major The Excellence in Research for Australia eventual design of the scheme. report on technology readiness in the (ERA) and Engagement and Impact healthcare sector, ATSE recommended (EI) assessment frameworks provide that Australia’s preventive health a platform for Australia to encourage strategy should focus on equity of research quality and promote positive National Priorities and access and health outcomes. research culture. However, both ERA Industry Linkage Fund and EI methodologies face challenges October 2020 ATSE highlighted how technology can in accurately assessing impact and The National Priorities and Industry underpin this shift, with the most critical engagement. priority being to empower consumers Linkage Fund (NPILF) is aimed at and clinicians through the digitisation ATSE provided advice to the Australian supporting higher education to play of health records. Research Council based on long a critical role in Australia’s COVID-19 engagement with both of these economic recovery through delivery Embracing new technologies will also measures, building on previous of more graduates in areas of industry be vital in ensuring that the benefits submissions about the same issue. and community priority. of a wellness system are available in regional areas and in Aboriginal and This response focused on enhancing There is significant alignment between Torres Strait Islander communities, as the value of the ERA and EI data and the NPILF’s objectives and ATSE’S vision well as for disadvantaged people in outputs to end-users, and opportunities for a strong, diverse and appropriately urban communities. to extend their usefulness, including skilled STEM workforce. However, the enhanced access to research data and approach taken does not address The Government has since announced open access to scientific publications. national priorities or the needs of new funding to improve My Health industry and business, and the proposed Record, including its digital identity Campus Morning Mail provided metrics for success were problematic. system, as recommended by ATSE’s coverage of ATSE’s submission on the ATSE also recommended that industry report, as well as the expansion of ERA and EI assessment frameworks representatives should be appointed telehealth. to the higher education sector. to the NPILF guiding body. The NPILF final report and ATSE recommended: creating a implementation of the scheme did not ATSE support for legislation legislated consumer right to repair follow these recommendations, but committing to net zero products, starting with electronics; included an appendix which reiterated emissions targeting manufacturing grant many of ATSE’s key points and specified programs and tax incentives toward that Government should provide November 2020 innovative design for waste avoidance incentives for industry and SMEs to The science and lived experience of or minimisation, including repairability; engage with universities and enhance climate change is becoming increasingly creating standards and certification support for Work Integrated Learning. clear and was brought into sharp relief systems for reused, repaired and by Australia’s horror bushfire season of remanufactured goods to build 2019-20. In its response to legislation consumer confidence and promote Modern Manufacturing put forward by independent Zali sustainable design. Steggall MP, ATSE urged the Government Strategy Roadmaps to take urgent action to reduce carbon November 2020 emissions into the atmosphere, using ATSE recommended that targeted legislation to create certainty. Pre-budget Submission: Building support and investment in Australian STEM career pathways and medical technology, including in digital ATSE’s President Professor Hugh workforce diversity to address health records, should be a top priority Bradlow and CEO Kylie Walker were Australia’s future challenges of the Federal Government’s Modern invited to appear before the House of January 2021 Manufacturing Strategy . Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy to give ATSE urged the Government to ATSE shares the Strategy’s vision for evidence at an inquiry into the two take action on the urgent priority Australia to be recognised as a high climate change bills being proposed of mitigating and adapting to quality, sustainable manufacturing by Ms Steggall. climate change, and to prioritise nation, and argued that targeted and science, technology, engineering and strategic investment in technology ATSE also provided a submission to mathematics (STEM) education, career would catalyse this transformation. the inquiry which strongly emphasised pathways, and workforce diversity to the importance of achieving net zero ensure we have the capacity to drive ATSE’s submission to the draft Strategy emissions. innovation in Australia’s recovery from commended our technology readiness reports to the Department, which were ATSE highlighted the opportunities for COVID-19 and address future challenges. mentioned and cited in both the medical social, economic and environmental ATSE advised Government that products and recycling and clean benefit that would be created by the investment in skills, infrastructure and energy roadmaps. The submission innovation required for effective climate research to support an innovation was also reported on in Campus change mitigation and adaptation economy were paramount as Australia Morning Mail. efforts. ATSE is continuing to support recovers from the effects of the this work through our net zero emissions COVID-19 pandemic. working group. Australia’s Artificial Intelligence ATSE released a media statement Action Plan highlighting the importance of Submission to the Productivity addressing climate change in the November 2020 Federal Budget. Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a Commission Inquiry into a pathway for economic recovery from Right to Repair the COVID-19 pandemic. January 2021 Digital Transformation Strategy ATSE strongly supports a legislated To break down barriers which have February 2021 limited growth of the digital technology consumer right to repair products, as sector, ATSE recommended the Federal recommended in our major research In response to the consultation on Government strengthen cyber security report on technology readiness in the a refreshed Digital Transformation against increasing attacks and misuse waste and resource recovery sector, Strategy, ATSE urged a whole of of data, and build valuable datasets and provided information and guidance government commitment to ensure that underpin AI. Australian data based on this report to the Productivity Australia realises the full potential infrastructure and governance also Commission’s inquiry. of current and emerging digital needs to be improved in order to fully technologies and digital transformation. Repairing products rather than take advantage of AI-defined networks. replacing them represents better ATSE recommended the refreshed CSIRO’s Data61 has since received a value for consumers, requires less Digital Transformation Strategy funding boost to establish a national AI resources and avoids waste. It also embrace a citizen-centric approach centre, and further spending has been diverts substantial valuable resources with a single portal for all government allocated to accelerating the use of the from landfill, particularly electronics services – federal, state and local. Consumer Data Right to allow greater which contain environmentally harmful Governments need to inspire trust in control of personal data in sectors such substances in much higher quantities citizens that they will not lose or abuse as banking and energy. than other products. the data.

14 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering POLICY

Pleasingly, the Government’s new the barriers to widespread adoption of Digital Economy Strategy, released in National Water Reform Draft new transport technologies. May 2021, provides support for a range Report 2020 of important initiatives and includes However given transport’s growing March 2021 funding for government services such as contribution to Australia’s carbon myGov and My Health Record. The Productivity Commission’s draft emissions, ATSE encouraged a more report into National Water Reform has ambitious approach to decarbonising addressed many of the issues identified the private transport sector. This in ATSE’s original submission to the includes introducing a national Response to the National inquiry, but could go further. target and regulation, and boosting Gene Technology Scheme skills and workforce readiness. These Consultation Regulation Stronger governance arrangements recommendations are aligned with the Impact Statement should be recommended and more submission from Engineers Australia. detail is needed on how Aboriginal and March 2021 Torres Strait Islander communities will Jointly, the Australian Academy of be consulted in their implementation. Science and ATSE strongly supported There should also be a stronger focus University Research plans to future-proof and modernise the on assessing social good in water Commercialisation Scheme gene technology regulatory system. allocations and ensuring climate Consultation Paper resilience is built in. Accumulated experience has shown April 2021 that the National Gene Technology The Productivity Commission’s draft ATSE has been working closely with the Scheme is no longer fit for purpose in report mentioned ATSE’s previous Department of Education, Skills and its current form. The Scheme needs submission to the inquiry in September Employment (DESE) on the priorities significant reform to keep pace with 2020, which highlights that current for a national University Research gene technology advancements and water R&D funding levels are near Commercialisation Scheme, and to address the policy problems outlined historic lows. also made a submission to the public in the Consultation Regulation Impact consultation on the design of the ATSE’s senior policy analyst Dr Harry Statement (CRIS). Scheme. Rolf has been engaging with the ATSE recommended the Government Productivity Commission along with ATSE has long held the view that pursue a risk-tiering model, categorising former Water Forum Chair Professor Rob Australia would benefit greatly from all dealings on the basis of indicative Vertessy, giving evidence at a public a scheme that coordinates and risk to enhance the sophistication of hearing for the inquiry. incentivises the translation of Australia’s the regulatory system and enable world leading research for commercial the Office of the Gene Technology benefit. Regulator’s resources to be focussed Future Fuels Strategy: However, a scheme that focuses on on consideration of the highest risk Discussion Paper dealings. universities alone is unlikely to be April 2021 effective as they are not always well- Adopting the risk-proportionate model ATSE’s vision is for clean, affordable and equipped to judge the relative likelihood will allow greater flexibility and ensure reliable future fuels to power Australia to of commercial success for a piece of the Gene Technology Scheme is better support us to reach net zero emissions work. To be successful, the scheme must positioned for emerging developments by no later than 2050, at acceptable include industry and provide incentives in gene technology across any cost and reliability. for investment. application. The Future Fuels Strategy sets out a ATSE released a media statement to The Academies’ submission was picked positive approach to adopting low- raise awareness of these challenges and up in an article by Research Professional emissions transport technologies at the submission, which was analysed at in April. scale, and provides good oversight of length in the Campus Morning Mail.

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ATSE’s President Professor Hugh Bradlow and CEO Kylie Walker were invited to appear before the House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy to give evidence at an inquiry into the two climate change bills.

IMPACT 2021 15 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering ACADEMY NEWS

Setting a new standard for Australia’s future digital technology workforce

ATSE is taking the successful Computer Science in Schools program to the next level.

Computer Science (CS) in Schools is Engineering is delighted to work with the CS in Schools was established under the a free program that helps schools CS in Schools team to bring high-quality auspices of RMIT but is now transitioning build a robust digital technology and free computer science education to ATSE which intends to aggressively capability in their students, and to Australian secondary schools,” grow the program nationally. Ms Walker said. aims to set the standard for Research undertaken by Deloitte and the computer science education “The CS in Schools team’s expertise Australian Computer Society’s Digital nationally. in the tech sector and education is Pulse indicates there will be over 100,000 a powerful match for ATSE’s strong new IT jobs in Australia by 2024, but there Founded by Google Maps and eBay experience in delivering science, are only 7,000 university IT graduates pioneer Hugh Williams, his partner and technology and engineering education every year. business executive Selina Williams and and career pathways programs. Co-founder Hugh Williams said if Australia education professional Kristy Kendall, “CS in Schools has already successfully is to meet that workforce need, it has to it matches computing professionals spark the interest of students earlier. with teachers, helping them develop brought quality coding education to their coding skills in the classroom and 40 schools and an estimated 9000 “If students don’t experience DigiTech providing innovative lesson materials. students, with a particular focus on in their early secondary schooling, they supporting girls and regional students. are less likely to choose it later,” ATSE Chief Executive Kylie Walker said the Together we plan to bring the program to Professor Williams said. program is a natural fit for the Academy. every secondary school in Australia, “The Academy of Technology and to deliver DigiTech as a core subject.” “But many teachers don’t have the background or confidence to teach it. So that’s where CS in Schools can make a difference.” Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley said fluency and familiarity with digital technologies is currency in this new economy. “It’s critically important that young people are taught computer science skills if we are to fill the digital jobs of the future,” Dr Foley said. “ATSE has the national reach to ensure coding can be offered in all secondary schools, and in particular, those in regional and remote locations.” CS in Schools will continue to be run as a free program and is available for the public and private education sectors.

Above: (left to right) CS in Schools founders Kristy Kendall and Hugh Williams with ATSE CEO Kylie Walker at the announcement on 21 April.

1616 IMPACTIMPACT 2021 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering ACADEMY NEWS

ATSE’s new hub in the heart of the capital

The Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering has established a presence in Canberra, unveiling a newly refurbished office in April. The building in Forrest is a stone’s throw from politicians and policymakers in Federal Parliament. ATSE Chief Executive Officer Kylie Walker said a lot of thought had gone into selecting the location of the office and how it would be designed. “We kept as much as possible of the original infrastructure that was here, not just because it saves costs, but also because it speaks to sustainability. “We know, due to our Waste Report, that the building industry is one of the biggest producers of landfill in Australia today, so we didn’t want to be contributing to that as an Academy that is very proactively advocating for a circular economy, a zero waste economy,” Ms Walker said. The art on the walls, some of which is courtesy of an arrangement with ArtBank, has been chosen to reflect Australia’s 60,000 years as a technology leader. The kitchen splashback is made of green ceramic tiles, invented by ATSE Fellow Professor Veena Sahajwalla, and was featured in an Australian Story episode about her. The tiles were made by recycling old mattresses and fabrics and combining them with glass. Ms Walker said the office is also designed to be a welcoming space for Fellows. “The Academy is now at a place where we are working very much as a partnership team between the Fellowship and the Secretariat, so we wanted to have a space where Fellows can come and meet. We can have seminars, we can invite guests.” ATSE has retained its presence in Melbourne, with the St Kilda Road office undergoing a refresh.

IMPACT 2021 17 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering ACADEMY NEWS

Budget a missed opportunity New international prize for ATSE congratulates new Chief for climate global communicators Scientist and welcomes newest ATSE said the 2021 Federal Budget The International Council of Academies board member was a missed opportunity for Australia of Engineering and Technological ATSE applauded the appointment of to become a global clean energy Sciences (CAETS), of which the ATSE is a Dr Cathy Foley AO FTSE FAA as Chief powerhouse. CEO Kylie Walker said the founding member, has established two Scientist of Australia. An outgoing Budget contains millions of dollars in annual Communications Prizes to find member of the ATSE’s board, Dr Foley new funding for fossil fuel industries, the most compelling technological and received the prestigious Clunies Ross such as gas and oil, but very little to engineering innovations, communicated Award in 2015 for her pioneering work support technologies that could see in a way to inspire the public and in the field of mineral exploration. Australia become a leader in exporting aspiring young technologists. its sunshine. Kylie Walker said Cathy Foley is an Australian technological scientists and excellent choice to advocate for “Most of the investment to address engineers were encouraged to submit Australian science and to focus climate change is targeted at short videos on past or current ground- national thinking. adaptation strategies, which are clearly breaking work which is making an necessary. But we would have liked to impact on society and the economy. “Dr Foley has made significant have seen at least an equal amount contributions to the scientific invested in accelerating and leading The prize aims to champion STEM community through her research and Australia’s transition to a low emissions leaders who educate the general public through her leadership of professional economy.” on the important role of technology scientific organisations, including as a and engineering, and inspire students member of the ATSE Board and former The budget’s record $10 billion to consider careers in those fields. There President of Science & Technology infrastructure spend has a clear are two categories for the prize for Australia,” Ms Walker said. focus on roads upgrades, yet there is candidates at different stages of their a lack of support for electric vehicle careers: Engineering Success Stories “Dr Foley is also a strong champion infrastructure. and High Potential Innovations. for women in STEM and we hope her appointment inspires a new generation In other Budget measures, ATSE The Academy will adjudicate Australian to consider careers in science, welcomes the $42.4 million set aside entries and submit the best videos technology and engineering.” to co-fund scholarships for more against those from international CAETS than 230 women to pursue STEM PhD member academies. The Academy also acknowledged the qualifications. outgoing Chief Scientist, former ATSE ATSE President Hugh Bradlow said it’s President Dr Alan Finkel AO FTSE FAA. “Increasing investment in STEM important for people working in the education and research translation fields of technology and engineering to “Dr Finkel has worked tirelessly to inspire will strengthen Australia’s capacity to address general audiences in a simple young people to pursue their curiosity rebuild after COVID and to respond to and engaging manner. through STEM, and has been a strong the challenges of climate change. and steady advocate for evidence- “Technology and engineering make a based policy and decision-making,” “We also welcome measures to support positive impact on society and have Ms Walker said. the commercialisation of critical the ability to solve real-world problems,” research through a lower tax rate Professor Bradlow said. ATSE has selected Dr Meera Verma on income earned from patents in FTSE to join its board as a Director to the medical and biotech sectors. We “Australia’s technologists and engineers fill the vacancy created by Dr Foley’s encourage the Government to expand are doing incredible, innovative work, resignation. its patent box scheme to include the but this is sometimes poorly understood Dr Verma is a professional executive clean energy sector as soon as possible.” because it has not been explained in with experience spanning the global Ms Walker said. terms everyone can understand. healthcare, product development and Ms Walker appeared on ABC News 24 “ATSE hopes this competition will biotechnology delivery industries. She to discuss the budget on 12 May encourage technological scientists and is currently running a strategic and (pictured above). engineers in Australia to not only think project consulting firm for small to about their innovations but also how medium sized technology-development they are communicated.” companies.

18 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering ACADEMY NEWS 19 2021

IMPACT IMPACT Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering Technology of Academy Australian Climate change action critical change action Climate survival Australia’s for the risk and on report says a new ATSE global of degrees three consequences of Australia that evidence is clear warming and change, on climate act to needs now. The Academy report by the Australian emission total that Science found of pledged currently targets reduction – even Agreement the Paris through see still time – will on implemented if temperatures global surface average 2100. by degrees three rise by a devastating have would result That ecology and Australia’s on impact the health as on as well economy, the population. of and wellbeing report Science’s of Academy The Australian the that recommends its emission revisit Government and provide commitments reduction is placedthe world ensure to leadership The trajectory. climate on a safer weather extreme that is clear evidence as in frequency will increase events warms. the planet of the risk reduce to “The only way and dangerous these unpredictable reduction a substantial is for outcomes gases greenhouse the emission of in CEO ATSE said the atmosphere,” into Kylie Walker. emissions by mid- zero net “Reaching minimum if is an absolute century impacts the worst avoid to are we change.” climate of of Academy the with agrees ATSE be a whole-of- this must that Science which encompasses economy effort transport, electricity generation, asAs well and agriculture. industry climate of the effects mitigating this transition will create change, Australia enormous opportunity for industry. green in clean,

e an innovation culture within culture e an innovation omote engineering and technology engineering and omote skills and workforce omote xchange information and information xchange trengthen relationships and relationships trengthen s e mutual benefit. for publications pr and industrial research education, ASEAN collaboration between countries and Australia pr the management, in development of and development innovation technology science and engineering, in ASEAN Australia and nurtur communities, Australian and ASEAN people younger especially amongst scientists, between cooperation in technologists and engineers ASEAN and Australia

Professor Bradlow said Australia and Australia said Bradlow Professor challenges similar face countries ASEAN and energy, such as climate in areas health recovery, and resource waste and agrifood and medical digitisation video of watch can You sustainability. at the signing ceremony • • • • atse.org.au/AAET-mou STEM Academies Academies strengthen STEM relationships regional and Academy the ASEAN of ATSE (AAET) Technology Engineering and a memorandum into entered have strengthen to understanding of the two between collaboration Academies. Hugh Bradlow Professor President ATSE signing is an important the said peril great time of in a live “We occasion. the last seen in we’ve that the sense in a retreat in nationalism, a rise years few extremely think it’s and I globalism, of and as scientists we that important and collaborate together get engineers he said. the world,” across with global problems a global world “It’s AAET together.” solve to need we that said. Teik Chuah Hean Dr President supports The memorandum the two between collaboration to: Academies • IMNIS expands to new areas of of areas new to IMNIS expands health and medical research the in PhD students outstanding Five medicine, regenerative of areas growth health and digital therapy gene and cell with been partnered have technologies their to develop mentors high-calibre pathways. career growth with industry partnered ATSE our extend to MTPConnect centre in STEM Network Mentoring Industry the Researcher through program (IMNIS) Industry in and Development Exchange (REDI) initiative. said expanding Walker Kylie CEO ATSE the in areas support growth to IMNIS sector health and medical research a knowledge PhD graduates will give mindset. commercialisation students connects “The IMNIS program fellows postdoctoral and early-stage and decision- leaders with industry ato the door which opens makers, to careers potential of range broader have not would they otherwise which had exposure. career of range “Opening up a broad these specialised in pathways health and medical fields will provide the for just not enormous benefit, society.” to but also graduates, Managing Director MTPConnect the REDI said Dan Grant Dr and CEO of is supporting expansion initiative develop to IMNIS like programs proven the with workforce an industry-ready pace with a keep to skills necessary changing sector. rapidly the frontiers push to continue we “As fields and new medical research, of medicine, such as regenerative develop prioritise skills development to need we building and retaining by attracting, in these talent world-class innovation said. Grant Dr areas.” Interview by Liz Foschia A vaxxing time…

It’s a Monday morning in John Skerritt had been acting as the high level of global interaction.” head of the Health Department during mid-February and the head the worst period of a summer wracked As a member of the Health Department of the Therapeutic Goods by bushfires and choking smoke. executive, Professor Skerritt was Administration Professor involved in the high level discussions Now he had to pivot to a new danger. about which vaccines Australia should John Skerritt FTSE is nervous. secure for its population. “We were aware from February 2020 He’s agreed to do an interview about that this was going to be a pretty “There was a hedging of bets quite COVID-19 for Impact magazine and nasty pandemic,” he says. deliberately with the different he’s worried it will be some months technology platforms,” he says. before the article is published. “No-one had a sense of just how broad its reach would be.” The Australian Government settled “Generally when I do these interviews, on four promising vaccines and had it’s for publication that day,” he says. In those early days the TGA was kept busy addressing the increasing demand high hopes for one developed by the There’s good reason. Under COVID, for hand sanitiser and disinfectant as University of Queensland with plans things can change quickly. Sometimes well as providing regulatory approval for its manufacture by CSL. really quickly. for COVID tests and personal protective Phase one clinical trials with 216 equipment. Managing shortages of participants found the vaccine provoked As it turns out, the interview has to be critical medicines was also a major brief. Professor Skerritt has to depart for effort. a strong immune response against an urgent meeting at Parliament House. COVID-19, halting replication. Then vaccines came into the mix. The first 142,000 doses of the Pfizer The Government put in an order for vaccine are due to land that afternoon “I think it was April/May we started to 51 million doses. in Sydney. The following day, the TGA have the first discussions with groups approves usage of the AstraZeneca developing vaccines. But then it was discovered the vaccine. “molecular clamp” technology employed “They’re asking you, for example, about by the vaccine triggered a false positive The next phase of the pandemic how far do we have to take our trials, result when participants were tested begins: fight back. what the level of evidence is, what would for HIV. be acceptable. And regulators globally Twelve months prior, the world was just started talking with each other about It was a blow. beginning to understand the extent of the same issues about that time. the threat posed by a new virus that “That would have appeared potentially appeared to originate from Wuhan “One of the things that has a very good vaccine,” Professor Skerritt in China. characterised this for us is the very says.

20 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering Even six months ago, no-one knew for example, whether a “messenger RNA vaccine would actually mount an immune response or reduce the severity of the disease.”

“But the impact of false positive challenging products both to develop of those assets to support the country.” responses in HIV tests would have and to manufacture, requiring large undermined confidence. upfront investments, sometimes with Australia had placed a heavy reliance on considerable risk. There needs to be the AstraZeneca vaccine when its rollout “So we had four … now we have three.” significant scale to make the suffered a major setback in April. numbers work.” The other three were the messenger A possible link was established between RNA vaccine produced by Pfizer, the He saw an opportunity when the vaccine and an extremely rare blood AstraZeneca viral vector vaccine, and multinational pharmaceutical company clotting disorder. The new advice was the more traditional type of protein Novartis decided to divest itself of its that people under the age of 50 should vaccine produced by Novavax. influenza vaccine offerings. be given an alternative jab. The Pfizer technology was still “Novartis’ influenza operation was It forced a major overhaul of Australia’s breathlessly new. about, I think, three times the size of vaccination strategy. what we had in CSL so we made quite “Twelve months ago, even six months an audacious acquisition.” The Federal Government was forced ago, no-one knew for example, whether back into the highly-competitive vaccine a messenger RNA vaccine would actually And so Seqirus was born, making it the market. mount an immune response or reduce second largest flu vaccine manufacturer the severity of the disease.” in the world. A deal was struck for an extra 20-million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, but they are One of the attractions of the “The first year it was pretty ugly. But in unlikely to arrive until later this year. AstraZeneca vaccine was that it three years’ time we did this turnaround. could be made in Australia. CSL in the meantime stated it remained He says Seqirus gave the Australian committed to meeting its contractual “You wanted to be confident the influenza operation a future, supporting arrangements for locally-produced company could supply to market and seasonal influenza manufacturing, AstraZeneca vaccines. Having set its the added interest in the AstraZeneca pandemic preparedness and products course on producing that vaccine, it product was the ability to also locally of national significance such as anti- could not change tack to another. manufacture through CSL. venoms. So was the decision to rely so heavily “There’s a taskforce currently looking “It would have been very difficult for on AstraZeneca wrong? at the issue of whether Australia should that organisation to prosper without it. be able to manufacture a wider range John Skerritt doesn’t think so. of vaccines locally.” “Most countries lost these valuable national assets. They can’t manufacture “The vaccine is highly efficacious and Australia almost lost its capability influenza. Vaccine manufacturing is has a major role in protecting against to manufacture vaccines at all. quite highly concentrated.” serious disease and hospitalisation,” he maintains. CSL is currently the only local The vaccine-manufacturing business put manufacturer of vaccines. CSL in good stead when COVID struck. “Given the constraints on export of vaccines from the European Union, the The operation was originally set up It was already making around 50-million policy of having a significant supply of after the Second World War when CSL doses of flu vaccines a season in locally manufactured vaccine turned was then the Commonwealth Serum Australia and had the technology and out to be wise indeed.” Laboratories. But prior to 2015, it was knowledge to take on the immense in a death spiral. task of producing sufficient amounts of The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted AstraZeneca to inoculate a nation within a number of national public policy issues, Gordon Naylor FTSE was CSL’s Chief a challenging environment. not the least, the importance of a strong Financial Officer at the time and found and modern manufacturing sector. himself overseeing it. “CSL is operationally excellent,” Gordon Naylor says. Australia may have been one of the “I did a strategic review of it, and it was pretty clear that it had no future as a He’s now no longer with the company most successful countries in responding standalone business,” he says. but remains a shareholder. And while he to the virus but every week continues admits to some bias, Gordon stands by to bring new challenges: technical, “It was struggling to get scale. It his comments. regulatory and economic. never really had significant capital investment.” “We’re very fortunate to have access In the terms of overcoming this virus, to the company and also that they it is still early days. He describes the vaccine sector overall have retained a substantial operational as economically challenging as an presence in Australia. Postscript: In the May Federal Budget, the investment. Government committed to provide funding “It’s not just Seqirus, there have been to develop an onshore mRNA vaccine “It’s generally very hard to generate investments made by CSL more broadly manufacturing capacity in Australia, long run economic returns from in biotechnology in Australia. And that’s but did not disclose the amount “due to vaccines. These are very technically also coming to the fore. They’re using all commercial in confidence sensitivities”.

IMPACT 2021 21 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering A virtuous circle By Professor Veena Sahajwalla AM FTSE FAA How viewing waste as a renewable resource is sparking a revolution

The industrial revolution Finite supply brought about many The materials revolution values the enduring benefits to sustainability of all the materials we use from our planet, which are essentially humanity, notwithstanding finite in supply. the enormous social and Our fast fashion and consumption environmental costs. have outpaced society’s ability and Professor Veena Sahajwalla capacity to effectively deal with AM FTSE FAA the consequences of a throw-away Veena Sahajwalla is an More recently, the information revolution mentality. internationally recognised that brought about the internet and materials scientist, engineer, resulted in an explosion of digital tools Some of the consequences include and inventor revolutionising and new technologies and businesses is overflowing landfills, waste stockpile recycling science. She is the fires and the devastating effects Director of the ARC Industrial adding to the benefits and costs. Transformation Research of pollution of our waterways and hubs for Green Manufacturing Community, government and atmosphere. and Microrecyling, the NESP international concerns around our waste Sustainable Communities and and recycling challenges are converging. A growing understanding about Waste Hub, and the Circular materials sustainability is at odds with Economy Innovation Network. Veena sat on the Project Expert There is a growing willingness across the market’s insatiable demand for Working Group for ATSE’s Waste sections of our societies to embrace the convenience, and cheaper materials and Resource Recovery Report. many and considerable issues we face and products. in the management of our materials sustainability. We need to rethink our attitudes to the resources we rely on for our societies We are now on the cusp of a new epoch: to function. We need to rethink our the materials revolution. approaches to waste.

22 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering Reduce, reuse, recycle, reform Reforming different waste types is a Retooling our infrastructure crucial step in the journey to create The fact is that waste is, and should be circular economies where we keep Not being able to send a lot of our waste treated as, a renewable resource. materials in use for as long as possible. overseas adds another urgent reason to embark on the materials revolution. We need to add “reform” as a fourth R Another key step is to start designing to the three Rs of reducing, reusing and our products and systems to more Infrastructure Australia’s (IA) recently recycling the unwanted products and easily circulate materials back into released Priority List Report found materials we erroneously call waste. manufacturing when they’re no longer that constraints on the collection wanted. and processing of recyclable waste, Emerging technologies are including product design and lack demonstrating that we can reform And that is why I see a strong alignment of sufficient demand, have led to waste into new materials and products of recycling and manufacturing taking recyclable waste ending up in landfill. in ways that traditional recycling place in the near future. does not. The report highlights the urgent need for There are sobering reasons to get on new waste and recycling infrastructure, This is not to say that traditional with the job. and lists this as its highest priority. recycling methods and processes are unwanted — far from it. They play a vital The Government’s newly released It says current constraints include: role in managing our waste. National Waste Report 2020 shows our • lack of space for transfer facilities national waste increased to 74 million But we also need new ways of recycling tonnes a year. • lack of ability of material recovery mixed and complex items like electronic facilities to process and sort co- waste (e-waste) so we can extract and Of that, about 60 per cent is estimated mingled, highly contaminated waste reform the valuable materials they to be recycled, but Australia’s new (particularly for communities in contain, like rare earth metals. waste export bans coming into effect remote and regional Australia) from this year are expected to reduce • under-developed domestic reuse New government policies include rare the rate of recycling. markets as a result of previous over- earth metals as a national priority. As reliance on the export of waste to part of this priority, we should introduce This is below the national resource international markets. the requirement to more sustainably recovery target of 80 per cent by 2030, harness the material resources which was set in the 2019 National IA finds Australia must recycle an contained in e-waste. Waste Policy Action Plan. additional 650,000 tonnes of waste

IMPACT 2021 23 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering SUSTAINABILITY

plastic, paper, glass and tyres onshore — such as isolating hydrogen from Stronger alliances by 2024, putting further pressure waste materials like tyres and on waste recovery and processing plastics to make Green Steel — should Companies like Mirvac are embracing infrastructure. be at the centre of how we transform the challenges of being more our sovereign manufacturing sector. sustainable. In March Mirvac featured In addition, limited landfill capacity many of our Green Ceramics in a new and sorting facilities are increasing New research at my UNSW display apartment at its Pavilions logistics costs as waste is being Sustainable Materials Research development at Sydney Olympic transferred greater distances for and Technology (SMaRT) Centre Park. processing and disposal. has resulted in another technology breakthrough. We have created Green Mirvac CEO and Managing Director That is why I see a huge opportunity Aluminium by cleanly separating Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz CEO says “the to not only address these challenges the metal from plastics and other take-make-waste approach is no but also use our innovative smarts to materials in mixed-materials food longer acceptable” and she and create new technologies that lead to packaging waste. her team were working hard to find new supply chains and jobs. a better, more sustainable way to These techniques are not just more IA Chief Executive and ATSE Fellow cost effective. They also reduce Romilly Madew AO FTSE rightly says, environmental and social damage by “We are at a crossroads between introducing more sustainable inputs addressing existing infrastructure into this vital manufacturing process. gaps and prioritising investments that will secure our future prosperity.” The UNSW SMaRT Centre is helping to align recycling and manufacturing That is why we need a materials by introducing new technologies to revolution and a much closer alliance business partners, community groups between scientists and engineers and just about any stakeholder doing the research and development, interested. and the governments, industries and communities that will benefit from Our newly developed MICROfactorie new discoveries and technologies to technologies are increasingly being improve sustainability. used outside of our laboratories to reform waste into new, value-added The materials revolution materials and products. Recycling in new ways with new For instance, our Green Ceramics technologies can be a foundation for MICROfactorie module can transform the manufacturing of high-quality problematic waste materials not materials and products made from suitable conventional recycling (such our waste resources. as glass, textiles and certain plastics) into new engineered products like This new level of self-reliance can floor and wall tiles, tables and enhance sovereign capability in times other hard surfaces for the built of pandemic disruption, and improve environment. economic prosperity by creating new, localised supply chains. Another module can reform e-waste plastics into filament as a feedstock Recycling and reforming waste resource for manufacturers and materials for completely new uses makers who do 3D printing.

24 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering SUSTAINABILITY

provide Australians with homes My vision is for decentralised Above left: Recovered materials and office buildings that are kinder and modernised recycling and and products created by UNSW to the planet. manufacturing in Australia. SMaRT Centre.

NSW Energy and Environment Minister Increased funding from governments in Above: The unveiling of Mirvac’s Pavilions apartment at Sydney Matthew Kean commended the this regard is extremely welcome, and Olympic Park, featuring Green initiative and said the partnership while there is more to do we are making Ceramics, attended by NSW “could be the blueprint for how we do great progress. Energy and Environment sustainable development in the future.” Minister Matt Kean; Mirvac CEO The second round of the Federal & Managing Director Susan Our journey to commercialise Green Government’s National Environmental Lloyd-Hurwitz, and UNSW SMaRT Centre founding director Ceramics would not be happening Science Program has stepped squarely Professor Veena Sahajwalla. without valuable support from the into this space, committing to fund, NSW Government via its Office of for seven years, a new Sustainable Below left: The kitchen Chief Scientist and Engineer’s Communities and Waste Hub, which I will showcasing the splashback made from the Green Ceramics, Physical Science Fund. lead along with a consortium of research along with some of the ‘waste’ institutions, and industry materials used to create the tiles. and community partners. Below left: The kitchen We need to enable onshore and more showcasing the splashback made from the Green Ceramics, sophisticated waste processing, along with some of the ‘waste’ recycling and reform. By making materials used to create the tiles. waste a renewable resource central to manufacturing, we can realise Image credits: UNSW SMaRT the materials revolution and ensure Centre and Mirvac Australia’s ongoing prosperity.

IMPACT 2021 25 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering SUSTAINABILITY

By Liz Foschia When the Mattress King met the

Councils and individuals pay him to Two years later she did. collect mattresses and MRA shreds them. “They had some prototype tiles that looked really pretty,” Andrew says. “At the moment we’re obviously able to extract the steel, which steel merchants The SMaRT Centre team had developed and the steel mill up at Newcastle are modular technology and trade-marked willing to pay a reasonable amount of it as ‘MICROfactorie’. money for.” It is able to produce a range of products But there was one thing that troubled for the built environment from types him. of waste glass and textiles that are traditionally not subject to recycling. “Our issue had been what to do with the textile component.” Mattress Recycle Australia is now using the technology and is in discussions for Until, nearly nine years ago, Andrew met a commercial arrangement with the Veena Sahajwalla at a sustainability University. conference in Wollongong. Andrew sees the potential for making Professor Sahajwalla is an inventor benchtops, splashbacks and flooring. and engineer who’s passionate about turning waste into a resource. His plant combines the fabric from old mattresses with finely-crushed Old mattresses are ubiquitous. She is the Director of the Sustainable glass from beer bottles, and mixes the Materials Research and Technology material with a binder before pressing it You see them slumbering on roadsides Centre at the University of New South into tiles. everywhere, or sleepily propped up next Wales and pioneered world-first ‘green to charity bins. Mostly they come to steel’ technology, where hydrogen and “We thought, there’s a concept here that rest in tips. carbon are extracted from waste rubber we should pursue. So we’ve had a few to make metal. evolutions of the tile. And now we’ve got They are a global environmental to a point where we can commercialise nightmare. Andrew says he approached her with his them.” problem: what to do with the material But Andrew Douglas has found a way left over from recycling his mattresses. “Our process is quite simple. There’s a lot of making mattresses gold. of tech involved, and a lot of science in I said “Look, this textile, it’s just building the background, but the actual process His company, Mattress Recycle up in landfill. We’ve really got to think is quite straightforward.” Australia, is based in the regional New outside the box.” South Wales town of Cootamundra He says the tiles have the equivalent and it services all of the state. She said “Let me take some samples. strength of Caesarstone. I’ll take it back to my team and I’ll “Recycling is quite profitable,” he says. come back to you.” “From our perspective it performs as well

26 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering

SUSTAINABILITY

Queen of Waste

or better than anything on the market which was in the process of moving into He says he’s also in advanced talks at the moment.” new Canberra offices and refurbishing with industry partners, like property the kitchen. group Mirvac, to explore the best way The Academy of Technology and to harness and implement the great Engineering became aware of the The recycled tiles were installed as sustainability credentials of the product. product when it was producing its the office kitchen splashback. Towards a Waste Free Future report It’s been a whirlwind few months. last year. Andrew came to see them in situ when the new office was officially opened in “Now we’ve closed the loop, we’ve got The tiles were also featured in an April. this solution,” he says. Australian Story profile of Professor Sahajwalla on ABC Television. “This is our first commercial install,” he Where next? says, stroking the tiles with a proprietary Andrew says since then he’s had around air. “We’re looking to go to the stars!” four thousand enquiries from people wanting to know more. “We’re very proud that we’ve got some early adopters here to showcase the One of those enquiries came from ATSE green ceramics.”

Top: Professor Veena Sahajwalla. Above: Professor Sahajwalla with the tiles made from mattress recycling. Above right: Andrew Douglas, Managing Director of Mattress Recycle Australia examining the splashback tiles he manufactured for the kitchen in ATSE’s new Canberra office

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SUSTAINABILITY

Eight hundred million people go to bed hungry each night.

Two billion people are malnourished and lack essential vitamins and trace elements they need to live healthy and productive lives.

A further two billion are malnourished from the excessive consumption of energy-rich foods and suffer from obesity and a range of metabolic diseases.

Growing environmental challenges threaten to make this global disaster much, much worse.

By Professor Tim Reeves FTSE The perfect storm How can we feed the world without wrecking the planet?

As well as devastating lives and 2030 “global intray” have already disrupting economies around the globe, arrived, including a global pandemic the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and numerous environmental disasters. significant vulnerabilities in our agri-food systems. To withstand these challenges, our agriculture systems need to be more I believe nutritional security is resilient, restorative and regenerative. humankind’s greatest challenge in the There are many possible approaches coming decades. It is clear that we need to developing such systems. to simultaneously improve agricultural productivity and environmental health – Big Farmer this means growing more food with less Much of the food that is exported around land, water, greenhouse gas emissions the world to underpin food security in and energy-intensive inputs like many importing countries comes from pesticides and fertilisers. modern, technologically driven, large- As some have put it: “How can we feed scale agricultural production systems. the world without wrecking the planet?” Australia is a good example of an Dire warnings exporter. The average Aussie farmer feeds around 600 people — 200 here In a landmark 2009 paper, Sir John at home and around 400 overseas. Beddington (then Chief Scientific In contrast, about half of the world’s Professor Timothy Reeves Adviser in the UK) alerted the world to FTSE the coming “perfect storm”. He forecast locally consumed food is produced by smallholder farmers in developing Tim Reeves has worked that by 2030, global demands for water in agricultural research, would increase by 30 per cent, and countries. development and extension global demands for energy and food Critics refer to the broadacre farming for over 50 years. A pioneer of would each increase by half. no-till/conservation agriculture systems common in Australia, research, he is Professor in The confluence of these challenges Canada, USA and Europe as “industrial Residence at the Dookie Campus agriculture”. These systems are highly of the University of Melbourne would gravely challenge our and Enterprise Professor in environmental and nutritional wellbeing. productive, but depend on increasing use Sustainable Agriculture. In 2019 of fertilisers and pesticides, significant Tim was presented with the In retrospect, his warnings may not have greenhouse gas emissions and trillions William Farrer Medal for his been dire enough. The perfect storm is of litres of water (around 70 per cent of services to agricultural research, extension and education, adding already here. Some threats Beddington global freshwater withdrawals are used to his long list of awards. thought were unlikely to hit the world’s for agriculture).

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increases biodiversity, enriches soils, improves watersheds, and enhances ecosystem services. • Regenerative Agriculture aims to capture carbon in soil and aboveground biomass, reversing current global trends of atmospheric accumulation. • At the same time it offers increased yields, resilience to climate instability, and higher health and vitality for farming and ranching communities. • The system draws from decades of scientific and applied research by the Professor Reeves in the field. global communities of organic farming, Declining levels of soil carbon and • It emphasises the use of management agroecology, holistic management, and nitrogen, rising pesticide resistance, practices in preference to the use of agroforestry. and growing climate risks present off-farm inputs, taking into account (Terra Genesis International) substantial and well-founded doubts that regional conditions require locally about the future of these systems. adapted systems. These alternative management systems clearly have many commonalties and Under the perfect storm scenario, they • This is accomplished by using, where are not sustainable. overlaps, and there is much literature on possible, agronomic, biological, and the strengths and weaknesses of each. mechanical methods, as opposed to The agri-food sector is also highly All use less energy intensive inputs than using synthetic materials, to fulfil any dependent on temporary or itinerant “industrial agriculture” and may have specific function within the system. workers. We need more investment in more resilience to climate shocks. learning and career development to (FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius build a workforce capable of making our Commission, 1999) However, critics of these systems food production systems sustainable, have argued that they are often not Biodynamic agriculture resilient, and fit-for-purpose. productive enough to feed a global • Biodynamics is a holistic, ecological, population still growing at around 160 The search for sustainable agri-food and ethical approach to farming, people per minute. They also point to systems has become more urgent gardening, food, and nutrition. the lack of scientific evidence to support over the past 20-30 years, and is of • Biodynamics is embedded in the work some of the claims made by advocates paramount importance today. of philosopher and scientist Dr Rudolf for these systems, particularly around soil carbon sequestration and other Alternative agricultures Steiner, whose 1924 lectures to farmers opened a new way to integrate scientific aspects of soil health. Organic and biodynamic agriculture understanding with a recognition of There is, however, a growing portfolio of are two long-standing approaches to spirit in nature. research into regenerative agriculture restorative, holistic food production • Biodynamics has continued to develop to verify (or otherwise) the claims and currently practiced in many developing and evolve since the 1920s through experiences its practitioners report. and industrialised countries. More the collaboration of many farmers recently, regenerative agriculture and researchers. Around the world, Sustaining and intensifying has sparked interest from both farmers biodynamics is alive in thousands of and consumers. thriving gardens, farms, vineyards, Sustainable agricultural intensification ranches, and orchards. (SAI) is an evidence-based approach to The following definitions come from restorative food production that aims to practitioners who advocate these • The principles and practices of biodynamics can be applied anywhere increase the yield of existing farmland systems (and don’t necessarily reflect while reducing environmental damage. my views): food is grown, with thoughtful adaptation to scale, landscape, Its practices include: Organic agriculture climate and culture. • Conservation agriculture: minimum • Organic agriculture is a holistic (The Biodynamics Association) soil disturbance, soil mulching, diverse production management system which farming systems including crops/ promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem Regenerative agriculture forages/livestock/shrubs and trees. health, including biodiversity, biological • Regenerative agriculture is a system of • Soil health: particularly increased cycles, and soil biological activity. farming principles and practices that levels of soil carbon and nitrogen.

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• Efficient water management: water There is extensive peer-reviewed Investment in these emerging systems use-efficiency and reduced water scientific literature on the benefits of is increasing, and it is clear that some usage. all of the practices which comprise or all will play a greater part in our food • Integrated pest management: SAI, and it is generally accepted as a production over the shorter term - if only greater emphasis on non-chemical “scientifically sound pathway to more for targeted, high-value markets.. management of weeds, diseases restorative and more regenerative and pests and more judicious use of agriculture.” The agri-food sector is highly dependent on temporary or itinerant workers. pesticides. But if this approach is to be further • Improved genetic resources: plants developed and adopted around We need more investment in learning and animals that are more stress the globe, there are still important and career development to build a tolerant—biotic and abiotic; more research gaps that need to be workforce capable of making our input use-efficient; and with greater urgently addressed. Although support food production systems sustainable, productivity and diversity. for individual SAI technologies is resilient, and fit-for-purpose. growing, we need more large-scale Each of these elements can significantly experimentation to better understand In addressing the perfect storm improve the productivity of farming how to combine these components into challenges, attractive features of systems, but the synergies between viable agricultural systems. some of these innovations include: them could lead to even greater transformation: the whole is greater The University of Melbourne is • reduced water usage than the sum of the parts. proposing to address this gap through • reduced pesticide and fertiliser usage the development of the Dookie • less degradation of natural resources An additional ‘win-win’ is that Sustainable Agricultural Research increased bio-sequestration of carbon Platforcomparing a number of farming • reduced greenhouse gas emissions in these systems would not only systems at a large “farmlet” scale. • shorter supply chains enhance agricultural productivity and profitability, but also significantly It is my view that SAI is the best • less dependence on itinerant contribute to net-zero greenhouse gas way forward to enhance our current work force emissions for Australia. It has been farming systems—both smallholder • enhanced nutritional value. estimated that widespread adoption and larger-scale—to successfully of SAI systems could offset over half address the challenges to future food It is likely that these potential solutions of our total national emissions through and nutritional security. We should will complement current agri-food soil carbon sequestration. make every endeavour to fully support systems rather than replace them – for now. We need to change the way we Weathering the storm think about our agri-food systems. We need to change the way we think about our agri-food systems. Business Business as usual is going to be as usual is going to be business in business in decline. decline. Australia and the world cannot be complacent about our current food Cultivating solutions the bio-physical research and the social, institutional and policy settings challenges, let alone future threats: SAI has the potential to effectively necessary for its widespread adoption. another crisis like COVID-19 could strike address all the challenges of the perfect at any moment. storm scenario. For example, studies However, if we are to ensure the future on cereal production systems in south of global food and nutritional security The interactions between the pandemic, Asia found that compared to traditional in the Anthropocene era, we must also environment and food production farmer practices, zero tillage with residue consider other options for our agri-food aren’t simple. retention increased: systems. We need to use systems-thinking, not • average yield by 5.8 per cent Growing innovations compartmentalised thinking, if we are • water use efficiency by 12.6 per cent to find solutions to our interconnected Many innovative ideas on new food • net economic return of 25.9 per cent. problems. production systems have emerged It also reduced contributions to global in the past decade. These include Future food and nutritional security warming by up to a third. developments around: is the greatest challenge facing • peri-urban agriculture humankind. We need science and The major weakness of SAI is its • vertical farming innovation from all STEM disciplines continued use of fertilisers and • plant-based meat substitutes to meet this challenge head-on. pesticides, albeit at reduced levels and • insect protein production with more judicious application. • algae based foods.

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Solar The next energy revolution

By Professor Martin Green AM FTSE FAA In Australia we aren’t always best at claiming our big wins and contributions to the world stage: it just doesn’t seem to be in our character. Yet as inventors, Australians have been responsible for bringing to life some truly iconic and lifechanging technology used around the globe every day, by hundreds of millions of people.

In the 20th century, Australians demonstrating the first 18 per cent invented Google Maps, wi-fi, the efficient silicon cell. black box flight recorder and the Cochlear implant, to name just a few. Having battled to the front of the pack, we were keen to stay there. For myself, I have been able to We knew we were in a prime position dedicate my engineering career to to be the first to achieve a landmark the research and advancement of 20 per cent efficiency, billed as the solar cell, the notebook-sized solar’s “four-minute mile”, although device able to harness the practically there were then several better- infinite power of the sun and convert funded groups in the US and Japan it into electricity. snapping at our heels. In 1983, I invented the Passivated While some aspects of solar cell Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC). Over design — such as the optics — work the next two decades, my team at pretty much as designed when UNSW perfected it, not knowing that implemented, the electronic aspects we would eventually see it being are a nightmare. Above: Perovskite solar cell. Credit: Derwin Lau put to use in over 90 per cent of the world’s solar panels now being made. Final performance is often At the time, we thought something determined by subtle, temperature like that was so unlikely as to be dependent interactions between inconceivable to us, particularly trace impurities in the silicon, not to at the terawatt scale now being mention those coming from the lab! approached. This dictates the nature of cell Back then, our work was motivated research: incremental, painstaking, by setting the next world record filled in turn with incredible for solar cell performance. We had frustration and the elation of set our first in September 1983, breakthrough.

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I had outlined two main approaches cent of all installations. These are some to getting to the 20 per cent figure in truly incredible figures that we are grant proposals prepared in late 1983. proud to have contributed to. One was the well-known technique of texturing the top cell surface and the However, this is only just the beginning. second was to implement PERC. PERC has opened up a new wave of industrial creativity, not only due to its Texturing proved the easier, with our improved conversion efficiency, but also first 20 per cent efficient cell confirmed due to increased functionality. Bifacial in October 1985. This was just in time cells are readily made with PERC, Professor Martin Green for reporting at the 18th Institute of allowing solar modules to respond to AM FTSE FAA Electrical and Electronics Engineers light falling on their rear and boosting Martin Green is Director of the Photovoltaic Specialists Conference output by five to 20 per cent, essentially Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, at the School of in Las Vegas, the major conference in for free. Photovoltaics and Renewable this field, where our result was Energy Engineering, UNSW, reported as a highlight. Also, since PERC cells require rear Sydney, where he is a Scientia patterning, this allows cells to be cut Professor. He is inventor of the Today in 2021, we can only marvel at into smaller segments after processing, PERC solar cell, a fellow of the where the solar industry has come to. encouraging use of much larger wafers Royal Society, and 2021 recipient of the Japan Prize. He thanks It is a global economic powerhouse, in cell fabrication. This not only reduces Elmo Keep for her contributions worth over $140 billion annually. Solar cell fabrication costs but also produces to this article. power can now provide the cheapest much larger solar modules, with these electricity in history, according to the recently more than doubling in size. International Energy Agency, having dropped roughly 90 per cent in costs Solar costs will continue to decrease as between 2010 to 2020. technological improvements like this are fully exploited, augmented by the The global uptake of the PERC cell in economies of scale. As a result, some solar systems has grown from almost commentators now project a future of nothing in 2015 to now being at 90 per insanely cheap solar power.

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The number of jobs that Others describe how solar will usher in Bruce set up our lab’s basic processing history’s third major energy revolution capabilities, followed by Australia’s will be made available in through access to cheap, abundant first solar production line at Tideland the renewables sector are energy — the first being the agricultural Energy, while Andrew and Stuart were already projected to well revolution millennia ago and the second key to PERC’s first demonstration, then outstrip the jobs that will being the industrial revolution, powered perfection. be displaced in fossil by exploiting fossil fuels. We were reinforced by my first four fuel industries. I would hardly have believed that any Chinese-born PhD students, Jianhua of this lay in the future when I began Zhao, Zhengrong Shi, Aihua Wang and to work with solar cells in the 1970s. Ximing Dai, who became Australian The dream of a world powered by citizens post-Tiananmen. sustainable energy sources of course motivated me hugely, but that we were They, along with our equipment guru, Ted about to set out on a path that would Szpitalak, played a crucial role not only one day result in a seismic shift in global in our cell development, but in the solar energy generation and consumption cost reductions of the last decade, by was not a given. founding and attracting US investment Our first lab was set up in a meeting into three of the first companies room off the professorial office of Lou manufacturing in China via Australian- Davies, my departmental head. Lou Chinese joint ventures. also helped us rescue former AWA Our eventual success with solar Microelectronics equipment from the rubbish heap for our fledgling group. cell development would lead to the establishment of our own dedicated We had a crack team of young School of Photovoltaic Engineering at researchers, among them my first three UNSW in 2000: the world’s first, and still PhD students, Bruce Godfrey, Andrew going strong over 20 years later. Blakers and Stuart Wenham, who were driven, inspired and passionate I’m proud to continue to work alongside about the possibilities of pushing the some of the most talented researchers technology to new levels. All three in the field from across the world, who have since been elected to the continue to join our educational program Fellowship of ATSE. and help us in our research. Below: Optical characterisation of solar cells at UNSW. Credit: Derwin Lau

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Above: Commercial solar cell manufacturing. Credit: Derwin Lau

Our ability to follow this remarkable continued transition away from fossil technologies are virtually instantaneous. trajectory was only made possible fuels on a global scale. We are laying the groundwork now for through ongoing Federal Government the next decades of robust economic investment in our research. Solar Despite its size, the solar industry and social benefit that would flow technology was not a viable investment of today is still in its infancy, just from the same kind of belief that was for commercial industry at the time; it now catching up to the technology shown in backing the solar cell before barely existed as a technology at all. we demonstrated in the lab over we invented the PERC. 20 years ago. In the 1970s there was great motivation We are now undertaking work at UNSW to find alternative fuel sources in the There is still enormous scope for further that encompasses the full breadth of wake of the oil crisis. Money flowed into improvement, such as through tandem the renewable energy sector, from projects that were aiming to solve the cell stacks with the potential to double pushing the leading edge of new problems of non-renewable energy. module efficiencies (think of it as being solar cell production, to graduating While the oil crisis passed, the critical like comparing a Nokia mobile phone credentialled engineers, to granular necessity to transition our global energy from the 1990s to the smartphones data analysis to inform sound policy system to one built on sustainable, of today). that will ensure a secure, sustainable renewable resources has not waned and equitable distribution of renewable in urgency. We are now at a tipping point where solar power is set to be not only the energy to all Australians. We are still a planet with ever-rising clear environmentally responsible choice This is our chance to be unequivocal carbon emissions, even as the for the world, but also the smartest about our commitment to ensuring we capabilities of renewable sources economic bet. The number of jobs that run with this opportunity for all it’s worth. of energy – solar in particular – continue will be made available in the renewables to grow exponentially. sector is already projected to well To realise the dream of a truly outstrip the jobs that will be displaced sustainable global energy system This points to another unique in fossil fuel industries. built off the back of notebook-sized opportunity for Australia to take the lead solar cells, would be to truthfully say as a global technology innovator: to Taking full advantage of this opportunity Australian technology changed lead the development, implementation will require foresight at a governance the world. and export of solar technologies and level that looks beyond short cycles, their products that will accelerate our or demand returns on investment in Hopefully, that we even saved it.

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Interview by Ben Hickey Dugongs, disaster and making a difference

From camping with We spoke to the world leader in dugong Over your amazing career you’ve been crocodiles to flying ecology about saving species, working recognised with many awards and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander appointments, including this year’s light aircraft over the communities, how tech is transforming Order of Australia. Congratulations. jewelled seascapes marine conservation and her changing What drives you? of the Great Barrier experience as a woman in STEM . Thank you! The biggest thing that drives Reef, Professor Helene me is that I like to make a difference. As well Marsh has had an Hi Helene. How is the dugong going? as being a practising scientist, I’ve been on It depends on where. The dugong has a numerous government advisory committees extraordinary career in huge range in the waters of more than 40 over many years. So I’ve had the privilege environmental science countries, from East Africa across to the of seeing some of my research results for more than 50 years. Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. In most of translated into policy. And I find those places, it’s not doing too well. The that immensely satisfying. major concerns are fishing nets, especially gillnets used by artisanal fisheries, and How have you found bridging the worlds habitat loss. of science and policy? In the 1980s I became a member, and later Australia is the dugong capital of the world chair, of a statutory consultative committee because of the huge seagrass meadows in to advise the Federal Minister of the Northern Australia. I’ve just done a report Environment on the Great Barrier Reef. on the state of the environment and the It really opened my eyes. dugong is doing pretty well here. The place of greatest concern is the urban coast of I had to interact with stakeholders in a Professor Helene Marsh AO FTSE FAA the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), from Cook Town meaningful way. That made me appreciate Helene Marsh is Emeritus down to Bundaberg. that my values were very different to many Professor of Environmental of theirs, and that I had to respect that. Science and Dean of Graduate Has that shifted over recent years? Research Studies at James Cook We’re clearer about the problem in the Policymaking is extremely hard – much University. She is recognised urban coast of the GBR than we were. There harder than doing research, I think. internationally for her were fears for the populations in southeast contributions to marine mammal Some stakeholders you’ve worked with are conservation and marine Queensland in Moreton Bay and Hervey Bay protected area management. but dugongs seem to be doing okay there. members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait So I don’t know if we’re seeing substantive Islander communities. What did you learn change, or if the information is better now. from those experiences? Well, I learned that every time I thought What’s helped us get better information? I knew, I didn’t. I also learned that many Time series of large-scale aerial surveys and Indigenous Australians have a very different basic ecological research. Because dugongs worldview from mine. And I learned that are very slow-breeding and long-lived the conservation of cultural values was animals (up to 70 years) you have to look incredibly important, and that conservation over long periods of time to make sense of tools are much more likely to be effective if what’s happening. they reflect cultural values.

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Above: Helene (left) in 1984 near Borroloola after Cyclone Kathy stranded dugongs on the supratidal mudflats.

What have been your findings on the not going to, the CO2 accumulating in the sustainability of traditional dugong atmosphere will mean we have inexorably hunting? warming seas. The risk of marine heatwaves People have been hunting dugongs in has gone up. And so that will definitely have Australian waters for at least 4000 years. an effect. But the Great Barrier Reef is an Australia is the dugong capital of the world: absolutely huge ecosystem, larger than the Torres Strait is the dugong capital of Victoria and Tasmania combined. It’s got Australia. We have a lot of evidence that more than 3000 coral reefs, more than 1000 traditional dugong hunting is sustainable islands and non-reef habitats ranging from in the Torres Strait and is likely sustainable shallow estuaries to deep oceanic water in much of northern Australia. – just extraordinary biodiversity. It becomes difficult to be sure in places And it contains numerous globally where there are other impacts on dugongs significant habitats, incredible areas of that have nothing to do with hunting. mangroves, seagrass and algae and fish In many of those places, there are now and threatened species, such as dugongs Traditional Use Marine Resource Agreements and turtles. or Indigenous Land Use Agreements, where Traditional Owners and Government have All of that biodiversity is going to be affected sat down and agreed about the rules of by climate change, but some species and hunting. I think that’s been fairly successful. communities will be affected a lot more than others. I expect that at the end of this In many places traditional hunting is at a century, the GBR will be a different place. level that is similar to the past, and in many But I still think it will be a great barrier reef. cases it’s less, so it has to be considered in the context of other impacts. What steps do you think we need to take to ensure that it stays great? In popular discourse, the Great Barrier Reef We have to do as much as possible to is often portrayed as either completely fine minimise the impacts that we can do (“business as usual”) or already doomed, something about. Crown of Thorn Starfish (“it’s too late!”). What’s your view? control programs and stopping terrestrial runoff are both very important. We have to My view would be between those extremes. be careful about coastal development. There’s no question that coral bleaching caused by climate change has had a very And personally, of course, I would like to see severe impact on the Great Barrier Reef. Australia contributing much more to scaling It is a very serious concern that can be back the amount of greenhouse gases we expected to continue. Even if we had climate put into the atmosphere. I appreciate that’s change under control tomorrow, which we’re a global problem but I believe, as a rich

38 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering SUSTAINABILITY 39 2021 IMPACT IMPACT Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering Technology of Academy Australian — just extraordinary biodiversity. biodiversity. extraordinary — just and non-reef habitats ranging from from ranging habitats and non-reef The Great Barrier Reef is an absolutely is an absolutely Reef Barrier The Great Tasmania combined. It’s got more than more It’s got combined. Tasmania shallow estuaries to deep oceanic water water oceanic deep to estuaries shallow huge ecosystem, larger than Victoria and than Victoria larger ecosystem, huge 3000 coral reefs, more than 1000 islands than 1000 more reefs, 3000 coral SUSTAINABILITY

Above: Professor Helene Marsh determining the age of dugongs by counting growth layers in their tusks

country, we should be doing a lot more I think the jury’s out on whether these than we’re doing. fires made the Australian population care more about biodiversity loss. Everyone One species lost from the Great Barrier Reef got diverted last year because of COVID, area is the Bramble Cay Melomys, which and the compulsion to do something has scientists declared extinct two years ago – consequently reduced, I think. the first mammal to be wiped out by climate change after rising sea levels destroyed its How have you seen the role of technology habitat. What will it take to save species change over your career, and what role do when the value of biodiversity isn’t easy to you think it will play going forward? economically quantify? Technology has a huge role, and I think it’s I don’t know. Public awareness and very exciting. Marine mammals are really education are incredibly important, because hard to study. They spend most of their time I don’t think that there will be political will under the water so you can’t see them, they to make a difference if the public doesn’t live in remote places and they move huge demand it. distances. The fires of 2019-2020 certainly raised In the last 30 years technology has helped public awareness to this issue, more than provide key biophysical information. Only the bleaching of coral. The horror of seeing 60 or 70 years ago, in order to track a whale, well-loved wildlife like koalas burned people used what was called a discovery was an enormous wake up call for the tag. This huge metal tag was fired into the Australian community. whale and then it was recovered – or not – if the whale was caught and flensed. Now, Has that translated into meaningful GPS tracking can pick up the location of change? I chair the National Threatened individual animals and relay it back to the Species Scientific Committee, and can satellite, even if the tracked animal only vouch that the Government has poured surfaces for a few seconds. a lot of money into biodiversity recovery from the bushfire crisis. Drones are revolutionising what we can do. I’ve spent a lot of time doing aerial surveys But is it enough? The concern is exactly from light aircraft in very remote places. the same as it is for the Great Barrier Reef. If we’re going to have bushfires every few Drones can do such work better and safer. years, there won’t be time for the biota to We can assess the health of individual recover in between fires. whales and dolphins by dangling equipment from drones that can sample the blows of The impact will be terrible. And we don’t fully the animal when they breathe to check understand the impact of the recent fires, their respiratory bacteria, microbiomes because that takes time. and hormones.

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Artificial Intelligence is being used A few years later, in Canada, I was I do. One thing to think about is that to recognise individual animals from working part time because I had family environmental problems need a lot more photographs and videos. responsibilities. I was asked, “How can than biophysical scientific expertise, or you be serious about your scientific you’re not going to get anywhere. I think Genetics is revolutionising our career when you’re not working full time a lot of scientists don’t understand that. understanding of different stocks. We and you have young children?” can track the movement of genetically We need people who understand the barcoded animals and use genomics, I remember saying, “Well, I’m actually human dimensions of these problems bioinformatics and environmental DNA serious about all my responsibilities.” and are prepared to work in cross- to identify species in places that were disciplinary teams. very hard to sample before. Those things don’t happen as often now. I still think it’s pretty tough, though. Mathematical skills are getting more You completed your PhD in 1973. What and more important. I would encourage was it like for women in the sciences What more do you think needs to be every aspiring scientist to keep up their then? How have things changed, and done there? How would you improve that maths as long as they can, because it’s how have they not changed? situation? very hard to pick up maths after you’ve Well, when I first graduated I applied Some science leaders in Australia dropped it. for my first job with a state fisheries have shown that you can address department in Australia. (I probably these problems head on. There’s one Aspiring scientists should be fostering shouldn’t mention which one!) I got this Medical Institute in Melbourne where their skills development and seeking amazing letter back, which I still have postdoctoral fellows with parenting internships and placements as much hanging in my room at the university. responsibilities for young children as possible. are allowed an extra year on their They thanked me for my application, fellowships. And then when they’re looking for jobs, but wished to inform me that, as they should be thinking very carefully their scientific staff were expected to Rather than pretend that these about what they’re capable of, as well carry heavy gear and camp out with problems can easily be addressed as what they’re trained to do. fishermen, it was not their policy to we have to actually ask people what employ women. No one would get a needs to be done to overcome them. Often people who’ve done scientific letter like that now. training – particularly a PhD – have And some of these problems are getting learnt more and more about less and As a married women with children worse because of COVID. We’ve had less over a number of years, and can’t pursuing a serious scientific career a huge proportion of our scientific imagine that the skills they’ve acquired I certainly encountered a lot of workforce lose their jobs – especially could be relevant in any other setting. prejudice, though I didn’t view it young women. And there are still so that way at the time. many people on short term contracts, But actually, they are. Increasingly, which are really hard for anyone with we’re going to be looking for nimble In my final year of my PhD I was significant family responsibilities. people who can apply their very expecting a baby. There was no such advanced skills to a range of problems. thing as maternity leave for Australian So we’re trying, but I don’t think government scholarship holders doing a we’ve tried hard enough. As an application of technology, marine PhD. So I talked to the administrators of mammal research is truly amazing, the scholarship, and they said, “Oh just Do you have any advice you’d give to but we have to have the political will to take some holidays, but come young people interested in pursuing make a difference. We’re never going to back quickly.” environmental science today? solve everything just with technology.

Underwater drone exploring the seabed.

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By Professor Stuart Khan FTSE Troubled waters

Australia urgently needs updated water reform and infrastructure investment

Drought and flooding rains within six months of running out. A few, such as Walgett, Stanthorpe, Braidwood and The violence of the recent floods in Murrurundi effectively did run out, and relied Professor Stuart Khan Queensland and NSW is yet another on carting and emergency groundwater FTSE symptom of our increasingly volatile climate. access. Stuart Khan is a Professor in the While the threat of drought might not be School of Civil and Environmental front-of-mind right now, the need to ensure Threats to water supplies became even Engineering at the University of more dire as the “black summer” bushfires of New South Wales. He is a member Australia’s long-term water security is more of the National Water Grid urgent than ever — and the next abrupt 2019/20 burnt through many forested and Advisory Body. wake up call is never far off. woodland parts of Australia. The damaged areas encompassed important water Many Australian towns and cities received catchments, including those which supply such wake-up calls as the drought deepened Sydney’s largest and most important water during 2018, and when they came, they were store, Warragamba Dam. loud. In New South Wales, the major inland cities of Dubbo, Bathurst, Orange, Armidale In many areas, the drought was broken, and and Tamworth all came to within 12 months bushfires extinguished, by torrential rainfall of running out of water. that occurred in February 2020. But these rains brought their own challenges, including Many smaller towns across NSW and washing large quantities of ash and debris, Queensland’s Southern Downs came to produced by the fires, into waterways.

42 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering SUSTAINABILITY 43 2021 IMPACT IMPACT Australian Academy of Academy of Australian Technology & Engineering Technology Above: Hume Dam near Albury NSW Albury Hume Dam near Above:

In the draft report, the Productivity the Productivity report, the draft In much progress that Commission found including has been made since 2004, and sustainable in efficient improvements establishing management, resource sharing and water for processes transparent for water allocate formally to mechanisms a number this, But despite the environment. beto challenges remain important of and remote especially in regional overcome, and especially during drought. communities, reform for thirst A Commission the Productivity Worryingly, that criticised the governance fact had reform water for arrangements of the loss with eroded” “significantly including structures, leadership effective Water the National the abolition of Commission in 2014.

Having been severely damaged by the damaged by been severely Having fires, many catchments were left in left were many catchments fires, with high risk of states, vulnerable and mudslides. erosion and nutrients sediment carbon, The organic storages water to transported were that quality water of in a range resulted small both challenges for management utilities. water and large waves Making two these experiences, In the of wake an point reports national important and reform water for forward way urgent Australia. in investment infrastructure Commission the Productivity was The first Reform. Water National on Report Draft by Infrastructure quickly followed This was Priority List. 2021 Infrastructure Australia’s SUSTAINABILITY

In the absence of satisfactory governance, there is evidence that some important principles of national water reform have begun to backslide. For example, the Productivity Commission highlighted government investment commitments that have been made without first having the benefit of rigorous cost-benefit analysis. The Productivity Commission identified a range of areas where the aims and objectives of national water reform should be updated and extended. These include the need to better incorporate climate change and extreme weather events in water planning, securing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ interests, and greater national attention to improvements in urban water management. Bridging the gaps Effectively addressing many of Australia’s water challenges will require carefully targeted investment in a range of water infrastructure projects. These include infrastructure to capture, store and transport bulk water supplies, as well as infrastructure to store, treat, distribute, and sustainably use urban water supplies. We also need to ensure the safe disposal or reuse of treated wastewater and sustainable urban stormwater management. Infrastructure Australia’s 2021 Infrastructure Priority List provides a comprehensive investment roadmap for Australia. However, only one water infrastructure project was determined to be at this stage of planning; the Myalup-Wellington water project in Western Australia. In addition to the advanced project proposals, the priority list includes a range of initiatives, for which further development and rigorous assessment has been deemed to be a national priority. Among these are “bulk water supply security” and “town and city water security”. Down the pipeline The report identifies bulk water supply security as a priority initiative we must address in the near term (0-5 years). This refers to the infrastructure used to provide water for primary industry, urban, environmental, recreational, and cultural use.

Left: Warragamba Dam — Sydney’s water supply on the Nepean River

44 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering SUSTAINABILITY

Infrastructure Australia notes that additional water demand of around • The investment should provide the water availability for current high 300 gigalitres per year. highest net benefit of all options value irrigation areas is reducing and available to increase access to water, becoming increasingly unreliable. This There are similar challenges for Perth taking into account economic, social is in line with future climate projections and the south-western coast. and environmental impacts. for much of southern Australia, which Severe and sustained declines in stream include decreased rainfall and more • Projects should look to address flows to Perth’s surface water storages severe periods of drought. circumstances which cannot be have been well documented over the effectively addressed by private In some cases, there may be past few decades. The groundwater proponents, the states or other opportunities to address these aquifers, which provide most of the stakeholders alone. challenges with new investments region’s urban water supplies, are in water supply infrastructure, such similarly climate-impacted by • Projects should align with the National as efficiency projects, new water declining recharge. Water Initiative principles, including storages and pipelines, managed appropriate cost recovery, and where aquifer recharge and desalination. Infrastructure Australia has called full cost recovery is not deemed upon the NSW Government and the feasible, any subsidies are fully Quenching our cities WA Government to identify initiatives transparent. and develop options to deliver long- Another near-term priority initiative term water security and water quality, • If providing capital, a consistent, is the need to address town and city outcomes for Greater Sydney and robust analysis of costs and benefits water security. Perth and the south-western coast, is used and assessment of appropriate funding and financing arrangements This initiative aims to address the need respectively. is undertaken. for infrastructure which is essential A watershed moment? to provide prosperity and a liveable • Early involvement in project environment for the more than 20 million The Australian Government’s identification and development, people that live in Australia’s towns establishment of the National Water including through the NWGA’s science and cities. This same infrastructure also Grid Authority (NWGA) is a very positive program, support for business case provides high quality water to urban- development. development, and close collaboration based industries, supporting growth in with the states and other project It was established in 2020, the outcome national productivity and employment. proponents. of a 2019 federal election promise. The Infrastructure Australia has recognised NWGA will oversee spending from the Flowing forward a range of current challenges faced by $3.5 billion National Water Infrastructure the urban water sector. These include the Development Fund under a 10-year Well-considered urban water investment, impacts of climate change, population rolling infrastructure investment through the NWGA, will help drive growth, ageing assets, and changing program. economic development in regional needs and expectations from users. communities. However, support from The NWGA has developed the National the NWGA—funded through the National In particular, Infrastructure Australia Water Infrastructure Investment Policy Water Infrastructure Development has observed that “for regional towns, Framework in consultation with the Fund—is contingent on a clear and water utilities often rely on a single states and territories. This investment significant component of that support supply source, with no physical link to framework provides a clear, long-term, going to primary industry. an alternative bulk water supply. The strategic approach to investment in lack of supply diversification creates the next generation of Australia’s water While many urban water needs may further water security risks for these infrastructure for primary industry. also benefit from such schemes, there communities.” is currently no significant Australian The framework is based on seven Government mechanism to support From coast to coast key principles to guide investment major water infrastructure investments The report also identified two state- in nationally important water that don’t include a major element of specific high priority water infrastructure infrastructure: support for primary industry. initiatives: Greater Sydney water • Projects should be of demonstrable security, and Perth and south-western This leaves the Infrastructure Australia public benefit and have a national coast water security. high priority initiative to “address town interest element, including through and city water security” without any Greater Sydney’s population is forecast securing the nation’s water security, focused Federal Government support. to grow by almost one million people building resilience to future drought, per decade for at least the next few supporting primary industries and The final Productivity Commission decades. promoting regional prosperity, Report on National Water Reform ought including through the creation of jobs. to address this need and point the As a consequence, it is expected to way to updated national water reform exceed eight million by the 2050s, with • There must be strong state support which includes a more engaged role for an estimated increase in annual water including funding contributions and the Federal Government in supporting demand of 50 per cent to 65 per cent involvement of the private sector and urban water infrastructure investment on current water use. This implies an local government, where appropriate. priorities across Australia.

IMPACT 2021 45 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering Defending scientific values in a “post-truth” age By Associate Professor Trevor Danos AM FTSE

Associate Professor Science has not been at Most political leaders (in Australia at least) Trevor Danos have openly deferred to scientific expertise AM FTSE greater risk since the times of when responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trevor Danos is a lawyer, Copernicus and Galileo. While we company director and strategic But this does not mean science has entered advisor with a passion for may have dodged a bullet with a new, halcyon age. bringing STEM to government, the end of the Trump presidency, industry and community. He While some previously fact-shy politicians chairs the Dean of Science’s the gun is still loaded. Any Advisory Council at UNSW (where may have had Road to Damascus he is an Adjunct Professor) the self-proclaimed influencer conversions, others use science as a Northern Sydney Local Health convenient cover for difficult policy District and the NSW Treasury – from the uninformed to the Social Impact Investment Expert deliberately malign – can still decisions. And there is still a rump of Advisory Group. Trevor has politicians who proudly call established extensively studied the history command vast audiences and philosophy of science. facts contentious, with potentially with unsubstantiated claims. catastrophic consequences for public health.

It is time to reflect on the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and how we can protect and embrace them in the future.

46 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering Fighting for the truth Sixty years ago, in his lecture The Two Cultures, physical chemist and novelist The scientific values of scepticism, CP Snow warned that the growing split empiricism and transparency are at least between what are now called the STEM and as old as the Renaissance, and have been HASS domains was undermining both, and treasured in cultures across the world. isolating scientists from wider society.

Today, society as we know it depends on Today, the dire consequences of this divide science. Recent events have made it clear are clear. It is important to remember that that without widespread acceptance of science is much more than the identification evidence-based truth, there can be no and assembly of facts: it is a creative social contract. activity, deeply complementary to and inseparable from other disciplines. Misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines could lead to hundreds of thousands more Back to school preventable deaths. The death toll caused by climate change denial may be orders As scientists, we need to be better of magnitude higher. And history reminds communicators to explain and defend the us that authoritarianism thrives when truth. Formal communications and media truth is cast aside. training should be a bigger part of university It is time for science curricula, and we should keep up this a ‘Scientific The writings of authors such as Jacob training throughout our careers. “ Bronowski (Science and Human Values) and Oath’, where Carl Sagan (The Demon-Haunted World) We also need to ensure that every citizen’s graduands are eerily prescient about our current basic education explains and instils avow their predicament, and may help us out of it. scientific values, not just rote facts and commitment vocation-focused skills. School curricula to truth, A social contract for the 21st century should include a “civics” of science, which: empiricism and We need to enshrine commitment to truth, • outlines the basic history and philosophy transparency.” of science transparency, empiricism and the protection of the environment as 21st century values • emphasises the scientific method and critical thinking in their own right, across society. These values are no less separate from and at least as important important than freedoms of speech, religion, as individual scientific accomplishments and from arbitrary discrimination. • celebrates the important role that error This list of 21st century values is deliberately and failure play in getting to the truth brief, but it could easily be expanded to • equips students to recognise and debunk include for scientists: bad science and pseudoscience. • tolerance and open-mindedness A Hippocratic Oath for science • not making irresponsible claims Ethics is built into medical training, and all • the courage to make bold guesses lawyers swear to “conduct themselves well • not concealing error and honestly in the practice of law”. Given • rejecting dogma the nature of threats we face, perhaps • encouraging collaboration it is time for a “Scientific Oath”, where • not appealing to either prejudice graduands avow their commitment to truth, or authority empiricism and transparency. • being frank about one’s ignorance. Oaths on their own do not stop bad eggs, Bridging the two cultures but they can encourage ethical professional cultures, and mark a significant career These social and political questions milestone that graduands can take pride are usually seen as the domain of the in. Oaths could also empower scientific humanities. But truth, empiricism and professionals to call out unacceptable transparency are universal values. behaviour when they see it.

For too long, scientists have stood aloof The health of science is a bellwether for the from these conversations – to both their and health of all of society. If we are to protect society’s detriment. the truth, we must take action now.

IMPACT 2021 47 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering DIVERSITY IN STEM

By Dr Sarah Pearce FTSE Space for diversity

As a young girl growing up in element of working life at CSIRO to unpick where we were unconsciously excluding the UK, I dreamed of becoming women, as well as other groups. an astronaut, and I truly believed One of our toughest problems was a male I could achieve that. dominated executive team – in 2014, we I couldn’t have understood then the didn’t have a single woman business leader! challenges that many women and other But over time we addressed that. Today we underrepresented groups have and continue have gender balance at Board and Executive Dr Sarah Pearce to face in STEM fields, or those faced by levels, and our senior leadership team sits at FTSE other underrepresented groups seeking to just below 40 per cent women. Sarah Pearce is a trailblazing be accepted, respected, and heard. physicist who helped establish A key challenge now is getting more women the Australian Space Agency and into entry-level leadership positions, which is delivered crucial computing for What I know today is that a diversity of the Large Hadron Collider. She is views and backgrounds leads to the best the critical pathway to senior leadership. currently Acting Chief Scientist questions, and the best questions create When we looked at the data, it told us that at the CSIRO and has recently the best science. But we don’t always see been appointed Australian that diversity. women were more likely to succeed than Director of the Square Kilometre men when applying for a promotion, but Array (SKA) project. Strongly committed to diversity, Dr Pearce So now as a leader in CSIRO, and in the they were much less likely to apply in the is a committed campaigner for STEM community, I see my role as creating first place, so we were promoting fewer women in STEM. an open and accepting environment to ask women overall. hard questions, challenge the status quo, and use diverse perspectives to push the This has been a stubborn trend to shift, boundaries of our scientific capability. and one that has shown us we need to encourage and support rising female talent. But how do we create that environment? There are actions we need to take on So, we are looking at ways to get more multiple fronts, but for me, the common women to apply for those mid-career themes are acceptance, role models, promotions and build our leadership pipeline. recognition, and intervention. We also need to look at how we make Intervention these first management roles attractive and realistic, with enough support, time, I’ll start with the latter, and I’ll use CSIRO and resources to do them successfully. This as an example. CSIRO became a member of includes on the home front, too. Annabel the SAGE pilot of the Athena SWAN program Crabb’s book The Wife Drought reflects on in late 2015. We looked at every single the common joke shared by professional

48 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering DIVERSITY IN STEM 49 WOMEN IN STEM 2021 IMPACT IMPACT Australian Academy of Academy of Australian Technology & Engineering Technology

When we looked at the at looked When we us that it told data, more were women than succeed to likely men when applying but a promotion, for much less were they apply in the to likely we so place, first fewer promoting were overall.” women “ leadership positions if we can move to ato can move we positions if leadership and culture, friendly working family more this And paths. career sustainable more men in our the for will be great too. organisations, models role of The power more attracting of the question there’s Then which overall, roles research into women with CSIRO at male dominated are today This is a women. by filled cent only 34 per STEM sector. the broader in reflected trend the women to this issue goes back of Part the as as well girls, show models we role who model models in STEM male role men. for behaviour inclusive Australia’s PSM FTSE, AO Foley Cathy Dr Kylie of the story tells Scientist, Chief the in on Neighbours character Minogue’s mechanic, becoming a motor mid-1980’s in women spike the corresponding and courses. TAFE in associated enrolling but it trend, a short-lived probably This was girls someone show When we is illustrative. be like, to they can aspire who relatable they can follow, someone in whose footsteps career easily imagine a future they can more in that role. of example is a fantastic STEM of Superstars As a graduate this well. does that a program to also been connected I’ve the program, of scientists women of network a wonderful me. to support valuable been a who have women juggling work and family and family juggling work women “I need a wife.” – responsibilities of care taking a partner having is, The fact and home is an enormous asset things at And success. to factor contributing a large an advantage it’s out, Annabel points as than women. men more vastly enjoyed by established as a whole was The system and a work at a scientist of the context in the family. look after to home at partner those jobs were this arrangement, Under becoming of the point to evolve to allowed people with caring for unsustainable responsibilities. someto quo has led the status Challenging CSIRO, At work. we the way big changes in women for barriers remove to tried we’ve by those with caring responsibilities and working and full- flexible things like making the norm. calculations time-equivalent For change. to slower are But expectations itthat an assumption is still there example, to go back or leave take who will is women This is born. are children time after part work and I’m challenging within CSIRO something should enable we as I believe broadly, more leave. parity in parental gender greater be additional supportto also needs There of and recognition givers, care to given many science of nature the unsustainable those with children. positions for in women will see more we As a sector, DIVERSITY IN STEM

Men are an important part of this Acceptance is an empowering force. Aboriginal and Torres conversation that is often missed, but the When we feel accepted and respected, “Strait Islander peoples effect of senior male leaders modelling we contribute without hesitation, and were Australia’s inclusive behaviour is extremely powerful. innovation flows. first explorers, The Champions of Change Coalition is navigators, engineers, an excellent example of this, and Recognition farmers, botanists, CSIRO’s Chief Executive, Dr Larry Marshall Respect and recognition are two other scientists, diplomats, FTSE, is an active and passionate member. powerful forces towards diversity and astronomers, and We need the leadership of both men and inclusion. artists.” women to tackle issues of gender equity, Recognition has long been an issue for and the more visible that leadership is, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander the more it will be emulated. peoples – recognition and respect for And beyond gender, diverse role models the Indigenous knowledge systems and help all children see that science can be traditions that have existed for more for them, if they choose it. than 65,000 thousand years – long before western science arrived. Acceptance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Acceptance is one of the most important peoples were Australia’s first explorers, themes I’ll cover, and I want to share a navigators, engineers, farmers, botanists, story about our LGBTQI+ community in scientists, diplomats, astronomers, CSIRO to illustrate the impact of this. and artists. I was the Deputy Director of CSIRO The sustainability and adaptability Astronomy and Space Science back of Indigenous knowledge systems is in 2019 when CSIRO took part in our extraordinary, and science presents first Mardi Gras Parade. A request a tremendous opportunity for deep came through to light up our Australian engagement, particularly on issues that Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder radio relate to our environment. telescope in a rainbow of colours, and I campaigned to make this happen. When we recognise and What was so fulfilling and wonderful to respect multiple knowledge see was the incredibly uplifting impact systems, we can bridge it all had. Indigenous knowledge and It was CSIRO openly and publicly saying western science, and learn to our LGBTIQ+ community – “You are from that experience for the welcome here, and you are part of our benefit of both our research family.” I believe it added a whole new layer of engagement for our LGBTIQ+ and our society. identifying people within CSIRO, and For this reason, CSIRO has established a true feeling of acceptance. an Indigenous Science and Engagement It’s one thing to say you accept, and program, and we are in the process of another entirely for CSIRO to march in appointing our first ever Indigenous Mardi Gras and embrace the community. Science Director. We’ve also committed to increasing the employment of It was a proud moment for me, and I Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander didn’t understand the impact it would peoples across the organisation, as part have, until it happened. of our Reconciliation Action Plan.

50 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering DIVERSITY IN STEM

By including more Aboriginal and It requires powerful role models and Previous page: CSIRO shines a rainbow Torres Strait Islander voices in shaping leadership by example, and the creation under the Milky Way to mark its first our research, we can create more of an open, accepting, and respectful Mardi Gras in 2019. Indigenous-driven science that supports environment where a wide variety of Above: In the wetlands of Kakadu, Indigenous peoples, culture, and Country, views can be heard. rangers are using Artificial Intelligence and drives reconciliation though and Indigenous Knowledge to care inclusion. When we do this, it’s our differences that for Country, in a ground-breaking spark the best questions, and create the collaboration including CSIRO To return to where I started now, I didn’t best solutions. researchers. Image: Tianji Dickens. become an astronaut, but I did go on to have a wonderfully rich career in physics and space, even if I was the only woman in the room for many of those years. What I’ve learned is that we need to create space for diversity and difference in STEM, and that creating that space sometimes requires purposeful and considered intervention.

IMPACT 2021 51 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering DIVERSITY IN STEM

SAGE Athena Swan program leaves the nest

Last year the SAGE Pilot program, a partnership between The goal is to reach the entire higher the Academy of Science and the Academy of Technology education and research sector across and Engineering, transitioned to a not-for-profit company: all disciplines. Science in Australia Gender Equity Limited. In February, a uniquely Australian pathway for institutions seeking to progress from Bronze accreditation to Libby Lyons, the director of the organisations by using a proven Silver opened: the SAGE Cygnet Awards. Workplace Gender Equality Agency was international accreditation framework, appointed the inaugural Chair. the Athena Swan Charter. Institutions can identify five key priority areas for action and a Cygnet award is The Board is made up of Professor So far more than 40 Australian higher conferred once SAGE is able to certify Marilyn Anderson FTSE FAA, Professor education and research institutions that sufficient progress and impact James Angus AO FAA, Dr Rosalind Dubs have been awarded the Athena Swan have been achieved in those areas. FTSE and Dr Bruce Godfrey FTSE. Institutional Bronze Award and that number is steadily growing. Five Cygnet awards are required before The Chief Executive is Dr Wafa an institution can apply for a SAGE El-Adhami. “It is a credit to the leadership of these organisations that they have remained Athena Swan Silver Award. SAGE is the only gender equity and committed to eliminating gender diversity program of its kind in Australia. inequity in their organisation despite the A podcast which showcases the Athena impacts from COVID-19 felt right across Swan journey, Think Difference, has so Its aim is to achieve meaningful the higher education and research far received more than one thousand systemic and cultural change within sector,” said Ms Lyons. downloads.

Banking shouldn’t be rocket science.

Managing your finances can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. Talk to one of our team today and we’ll set you on the right trajectory. By Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea AM

Nuturing the next generation of scientists

The Academy of Technology and Engineering is building on its successful industry engagement program to ensure that the STEM professionals it is developing can inspire the next generation.

The Industry Mentoring Network in Catalyst participants will also receive STEM (IMNIS) connects PhD students science communication training, engage and postdoctoral researchers in science, with industry leaders, lead an industry technology, engineering and mathematics site visit, and participate in IMNIS events CATALYST with influential industry leaders in a and strategy sessions. one-year mentoring and professional development program. Industry professionals Dr Navpreet Kaur and Dr Greg Bass, as well as research In the current 2020-21 program, IMNIS is biophysicist Olumide Opeyemi are among forging 350 mentoring partnerships. the ten inaugural participants. A survey of our IMNIS alumni found “I joined IMNIS back in 2017 when I was an 90 per cent of mentees were influenced international student and wanted to build to consider work in industry or had begun up my network in the STEM community in to work in industry already. Australia. I met a lot of intelligent people who have achieved a lot in their careers,” Now ATSE is launching IMNIS Catalyst Dr Kaur said. – an ambassador-style program that provides an opportunity for past mentees “I want to build on my science to engage more broadly throughout the communication skills to improve my STEM ecosystem. capacity to forge networks within the professional scientific community. I hope to ATSE Chief Executive Kylie Walker said improve my ability to lead and mentor staff Catalyst participants will be given the and students within my own team too,” opportunity to share what they’ve learned Dr Bass said. about industry careers and the broader STEM ecosystem through the IMNIS program When asked what he hopes to achieve with their peers and with senior high school through this program Mr Opeyemi said students. “To consistently nurture the next generation Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea of effectual scientists. My work and my “Catalyst is a powerful extension of the AM dream is bigger than me. It must, and will IMNIS initiative since it connects today’s Marguerite Evans-Galea is be handed over to the next generation.” high school students with early-career a scientist, executive and entrepreneur. She is Executive STEM professionals at a time when they IMNIS’s Catalyst program is supported Director of the Industry are making key decisions about their future by MTPConnect’s $32 million Researcher Mentoring Network in STEM studies. This ensures Australia’s Year 10 to 12 with the Australian Academy Exchange and Development within Industry of Technology and Engineering, students understand where a qualification (REDI) initiative made possible by the and co-founder and co-chair of in STEM can take them,” Ms Walker said. Medical Research Future Fund. Women in STEMM Australia. “This is a core focus of ATSE – to foster a mobile, highly skilled STEM workforce that is inclusive and diverse.”

IMPACT 2021 53 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT

Catriona Nguyen-Robertson Fatematuz Zohora Navpreet Kaur PhD student Research Engineer & Lead Tutor Senior Bioprocess Scientist University of Melbourne Queensland University of Technology Thermo Fisher Scientific Catriona Nguyen-Robertson is a Fatematuz Zohora is a PhD graduate Dr Navpreet Kaur is a biotechnology singing scientist: she sings in the developing a sound wave monitoring PhD student with skills in microbiology, laboratory and contemplates tool to detect damage to pipelines downstream processing, upstream immunology experiments in the shower. in real-time and quickly address processing and bioprocessing. An She studies tuberculosis vaccine expensive leaks. Zohora is a passionate enthusiastic team-player, she has strategies and hypersensitivities research engineer and a sessional carried out several scientific projects to antibiotics, drugs and skincare academic at QUT. A graduate allowing her to showcase her skills products, and is the Associate Editor member of Engineers Australia and an such as attention to detail, capacity for the scientific journals Immunology Associate Fellow of Advanced Higher to manage time and meet deadlines, and Cell Biology. Passionate about Education, she was one of the finalists while also training students. Navpreet encouraging diversity in STEM and in STARS 2018, a sessional academic would like to use her scientific engaging students in science, Catriona teaching innovation and reflection knowledge, passion for innovation lectures on Science Communications showcase. She is looking forward to and willingness to learn to positively at The University of Melbourne. She inspiring young leaders to be involved influence society. also engages with mentoring and in research. outreach programs including Pint of Science, BrainSTEM and the Gene Technology Access Centre.

Inaugural IMNIS Catalyst participants

Edith Botchway Kay Myo Min Thilanka Morawakage Postdoctoral Researcher PhD student BRACE Trial Project Assistant Deakin University University of South Australia Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Dr Edith Botchway completed Kay Myo Min is in the final stages of Thilanka Morawakage is a project her PhD on understanding sleep, her PhD investigating novel pathways assistant on the BRACE clinical fatigue, depression, and quality of involved in the growth and spread trial at the Murdoch Children’s life outcomes in young adults who of pancreatic cancer. Kay has a Research Institute. Her Masters thesis sustained traumatic brain injury great interest in innovative research focused on the inhibition of a novel in childhood. Her post-doctoral with real life translations, science therapeutic target for the treatment work involves studies examining communication (especially with of fibrosis. As an intern at the Janssen rehabilitation models of care used in regards to bridging the gap between Pharmaceutical Companies of children and youth with traumatic the scientific community and the Johnson and Johnson, she provided injuries, and studies examining sleep general public), gender equity, public support to the Australia and New and neuropsychological outcomes in policy and sustainability science. She Zealand Diversity and Inclusion children with acquired and congenital has begun to teach at her university Council to deliver their 2020 strategy. neurological conditions. Edith is and is also a strong advocate for Thilanka has been actively involved passionate about community service student equity and supporting student in various other clinical research roles, and youth development, and mentors culture at the university through her volunteering programs and student four students pursuing various careers work as a student representative. societies. in STEM.

54 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT 55 2021 IMPACT IMPACT IMNIS in Network Mentoring The Industry is an award-winning (IMNIS) STEM the of initiative industry-led Technology Academy of Australian IMNIS connects and Engineering. in (mentees) PhD students motivated engineering and technology, science, with outstanding (STEM) mathematics (mentors) leaders industry high level mentoring industry in a one year program. STEM future Australia’s IMNIS provides engageto the opportunity with leaders professional their extend with industry, implicit skills their strengthen network, an influential advice from and get learn mentees Student mentor. industry part succeed in any to takes it what a better gain ecosystem, the STEM of works industry how of understanding opportunities in and learn about career sectors. professional other imnis.org.au SUPPORTED BY SUPPORTED The IMNIS Catalyst program is program The IMNIS Catalyst MTPConnect’s by supported $32 million Researcher and Development Exchange (REDI) initiative within Industry the Medical by made possible Fund. Future Research Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering Technology of Academy Australian Greg Bass Greg Analytics and – Image Scientist Senior Biology Systems CSL his PhD in Bass completed Greg Dr biology and biomedical computational Australian He also did an engineering. Sciences Institute Mathematical he developed where CSL at internship protein model of a mathematical works as He now in cells. trafficking a small leading scientist, a senior CSL, at the R&D department in team develops Greg the Bio21 Institute. in to analysis software high-throughput tissues, cells and images of quantify techniques using image processing AI. such as machine learning and Nick Hong Seng Lee Nick Hong Engineer Development Laser Vaxxas is a biomedical Seng Lee Nick Hong Dr as a laser working engineer Australian an at engineer development needle-free commercialising startup He has technology. delivery vaccine helped companies and previously biomarker turn ideas for researchers and biosignal delivery drug detection, viable medical products. sensing into a non- During his PhD he developed early skin for microdevice invasive Nick has founded detection. cancer initiatives, and led postgraduate bodies and national voluntary organisations, non-profit for programs and Cross Red Zealand including New Without Engineers Borders.

Samantha Papavasiliou researches researches Papavasiliou Samantha the in behaviours adoption digital and inform to Public Sector Australian channels. its communication tailor transformation With a PhD in digital the at she works and adoption, Office as a Service Taxation Australian Manager Project and Redesign Review applies Samantha analyst. and data analytics and predictive behavioural help organisations to modelling She also users. their with communicate Adelaide, of the University at teaches project on post-graduate focusing design and system management, methods. research Samantha Papavasiliou Samantha Risk Manager at Office & lecturer Taxation Australian Adelaide of University to start and grow a family healthcare healthcare a family and grow start to experience His work HR business. spans charities and non-profits, university sales, IT, startups, and pedagogy, administration, medical writing and editing. Olumide O. Opeyemi is a PhD student Opeyemi is a PhD student Olumide O. non-invasive the use of researching and computational MRI scans vivo in to diagnose occult dynamics fluid was Olumide disorders. cardiovascular Nigeria Ondo State, Town, born in Ondo places in numerous and has lived offered He was continents. four across position post- Professor Adjunct an to London then returned graduation, Olumide O. Opeyemi Olumide O. PhD student Technology of Queensland University By Camille Thomson Students tackle the sustainable housing challenge

What does it take to build a low-energy home that can withstand harsh weather conditions?

One of the Academy’s strategic goals is to combat climate change. STELR’s Sustainable Housing module empowers students to look at the measures we can take to reduce consumption and increase efficiency in housing. By designing their own low energy homes, students learn how heat can be transferred through convection, conduction and Camille Thomson radiation, as well as about the thermal Camille Thompson is the National properties of matter. This is hands-on Education Program Coordinator at the Australian Academy of science: theory fundamentals with real- Technology and Engineering. world applications. Her invaluable contributions to We recently launched the second of these. STEM education include her work Homes currently generate around 13 per It includes three videos starring youth TV with The Australian Academy of cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. science communicator Lee Constable and Science, The Australian Institute Deadly Science founder Corey Tutt. Lee used of Policy and Science, and the Pint Improving their energy efficiency is a key of Science podcast. part of ensuring a safe climate for the course the Sustainable Housing kit to show the of these kids’ lives. process for determining good house colour, the best insulation and the effects 2020 presented huge challenges for of different glass. science teachers. How do we help students investigate when they can’t be in the Corey gave three short talks on sustainable classroom? To tackle this challenge, STELR housing from Indigenous perspectives. partnered with Orica to develop new remote He looked at fascinating principles of learning modules to bring the lab to the home. engineering in nature, such as native beehives and the structures of bower bird nests. STELR is working to include Indigenous learning perspectives in all our modules to better connect to First Nations youth and champion the rich history of Indigenous science in Australia. Because curiosity knows no borders, we also gave the videos Indonesian and Spanish subtitles to make them accessible to STELR’s growing global community.

Above: Youth TV science communicator Lee Constable presenting the Sustainable Housing module. Above right: the sustainable housing set up showing the ‘house’ and lamp.

56 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering STEM EDUCATION

stelr.org.au

We also developed worksheets to use with we can also help them create thousands of each video from the full Sustainable Housing new jobs for the future. STELR workbook. This gave teachers the flexibility The STELR (Science and to use each as an individual lesson. These STELR’s sustainable housing module inspires Technology Education Leveraging worksheets are also available in Indonesian. school students with the skills, knowledge Relevance) Project is an in-school and incentive they’ll need to thrive in – and initiative of the Australian Academy of Technology and Kids care about climate. By empowering protect – their future. Engineering. Now in over 700 them to find new solutions to this challenge, schools across Australia and the world, STELR delivers hands-on STEM teaching modules which focus on student-relevant Find our more information about the sustainable housing module at stelr.org.au issues like climate change and sustainability.

stelr.org.au

Top: Corey Tutt, Deadly Science founder in one of STELR’s sustainable housing videos. Above: All STELR videos are on the STELR website and the STELR YouTube channel. Subscribe to be automatically notified of any new content.

IMPACT 2021 57 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering Movers & shakers

1. Huanting Wang 2. David Noon 3. Ian Oppermann 4. Andrew Holmes 5. Thomas Maschmeyer

6. John Church 7. Alan Finkel 8. Steve Powles 9. Rob Fitzpatrick 10. Sue MacLeman

11. Martin Green 12. Tony Barry 13. Cathy Foley 14. Yi-Min Xie 15. Genevieve Bell

16. Bronwyn Fox 17. Greg Ayers 18. Harry Poulos 19. Ya-Qin Zhang 20. Lindsay Falvey

1. Huanting Wang 6. John Church 12. Tony Barry Professor Huanting Wang was awarded The 2021 Australian Academy of Dr Tony Barry was appointed President the 2021 Underwood Medal from the Science’s Career Honorific Awards Elect of the International Federation of Institute of Chemical Engineers for his work recognised Professor John Church with Consulting Engineers, the third Australian in membrane separation that supports the the Jaeger Medal for his contributions to to hold the role. provision of clean water and sustainable oceanography and understanding the industrial development. impacts of climate change. 13. Cathy Foley Former ATSE board Director and renowned 2. David Noon 7. Alan Finkel physicist Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM has been Dr David Noon was appointed Chief Former ATSE President and Chief Scientist appointed Chief Scientist of Australia. Executive Officer of GroundProbe, a mining Professor Alan Finkel AO was appointed to technology company he co-founded in the newly created role of Special Adviser 14. Yi-Min Xie 2001. to the Australian Government for Low Professor Yi-Min Xie AM won the Victoria Emissions Technology. Prize for Science and Innovation in 3. Ian Oppermann the physical sciences category for his Dr Ian Oppermann was named chair of 8. Steve Powles leadership, determination and creativity in the inaugural New South Wales Artificial Herbicide resistance expert Professor producing world-leading architecture and Intelligence Advisory Committee and will Stephen Powles received the Seed of Gold design algorithms. play a leading role on how AI is used in the award from the Grains Research and state. Development Corporation. 15. Genevieve Bell Distinguished Professor Genevieve Bell AO, 4. Andrew Holmes 9. Rob Fitzpatrick Director of ANU’s 3A Institute, was elected The 2021 Australian Academy of Science’s Soil Science Australia gave Professor an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Premier Honorific Awards recognised Robert Fitzpatrick the Pioneer Lecture Academy of the Humanities. Professor Andrew Holmes AC with the Award, which honours an individual Matthew Flinders Medal and Lecture for who has made a significant and lasting 16. Bronwyn Fox his contributions to synthesising biological contribution to the field of soil science. Professor Bronwyn Fox, Deputy Vice- and materials science. Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) at 10. Sue MacLeman Swinburne University, received the Royal 5. Thomas Maschmeyer MTP Connect Chair Sue MacLeman was Society of Victoria’s 2020 Medal for The 2021 Australian Academy of Science appointed to the Planet Innovation Board Excellence in Scientific Research. Career Honorific Awards recognised as a non-executive director. Professor Thomas Maschmeyer with the 17. Greg Ayers David Craig Medal and Lecture for his 11. Martin Green Dr Greg Ayers, Former Director and CEO of contributions to green chemistry and Professor Martin Green AM was awarded the Bureau of Meteorology, was appointed battery technology. the Japan Prize for his revolutionary work Chair of the National Computational in the field of photovoltaics. Infrastructure Advisory Board.

58 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering MOVERS & SHAKERS

21. Xinhua Wu 22. Mary-Anne Williams 23. Bruce Godfrey 24. Ben Eggleton 25. Robert Park

26. Andrew Wilks 27. Peter Dowd 28. Alexander (Jack)McLean 29. Ranjith Pathegama Gamage 30. Yiu-Wing Mai

31. Hong Hao 32. Graham Currie 33. David Thodey 34. Tony Weiss 35. Justin Gooding

18. Harry Poulos 24. & 25. Ben Eggleton & Robert Park Emeritus Professor Harry Poulos AM Professor Benjamin Eggleton, Director of received the Peter Nicol Russell Career the University of Sydney Nano Institute, Achievement Award. He is a world authority and Professor Robert Park, Judith and on soil behaviour and his methods for David Coffey Chair of Sustainable designing foundations underpin some of Agriculture at The University of Sydney, the biggest skyscrapers in the world. were named finalists in the Eureka Prizes. 36. Mark Hoffman 19. Ya-Qin Zhang 26. Andrew Wilks Software entrepreneur Dr Ya-Qin Zhang Professor Andrew Wilks, Executive was appointed to the board of WPP as a Chairman at SYNthesis, was elected a non-executive director. Fellow of the Academy of Health and 33. David Thodey Medical Services. The NSW Government appointed CSIRO 20. Lindsay Falvey Chair David Thodey AO head of a new Emeritus Professor Lindsay Falvey 27. Peter Dowd steering group to advise on the state’s was appointed to the Commission of Professor Peter Dowd, Professor of Mining Tech Central precinct being developed the Australian Centre for International Engineering at the University of Adelaide, around Sydney’s Central railway hub. Agricultural Research. was elected President of the International Association for Mathematical Geosciences. 34. Tony Weiss 21. Xinhua Wu The National Health and Medical Professor Xinhua Wu, Pro-Vice Chancellor 28. Alexander (Jack) McLean Research Council (NHMRC) gave (Precinct Partnerships) at Monash Road safety expert Emeritus Professor Professor Tony Weiss AM an NHMRC University, was invited to speak at a Jack McLean was granted Honorary Leadership Fellow Investigator Award United Nations Industrial Development Membership of the International Council on totalling $2.9m over five years, and Organization online event about how Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety. named him an NHMRC Leadership Fellow. digital technology can further the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. She 29, 30, & 31. Ranjith Pathegama Gamage, 35. Justin Gooding discussed 3D printing, agile manufacturing, Yiu-Wing Mai and Hong Hao Professor Justin Gooding , ARC Laureate industrial design metal-mechanic and Professor Ranjith Pathegama Gamage, Fellow at the University of New South aeronautic industries. Professor Yiu-Wing Mai and Professor Wales, received the Jaroslav Heyrovsky Hong Hao were listed in The Australian’s Prize for Molecular Electrochemistry from 22. Mary-Anne Williams 2020 list of 250 top researchers. Professor the International Society of Molecular Distinguished Professor Mary-Anne Chris Moran, Professor Bronwyn Harch and Electrochemistry. Williams, Founder of the University Professor Tanya Monro contributed to the Technology Sydney Magic Lab, was named report. 36. Mark Hoffman Michael Crouch Chair in Innovation by the Professor Mark Hoffman, Deputy Vice- University of New South Wales Business 32. Graham Currie Chancellor (Academic) and a Vice- School. Professor Graham Currie, Director of President of the University of Newcastle, the Public Transport Research Group at was appointed to a panel of building and 23. Bruce Godfrey Monash University, was awarded the construction specialists to help remove Dr Bruce Godfrey, Chair of the Academy’s Engineers Australia Transport Medal. unsafe cladding across NSW. Diversity and Inclusion Committee, This medal, last awarded back in 2014, has been appointed Chair of Energy recognises outstanding individual Renaissance, Australia’s first lithium-ion contributions to transport in Australia. battery manufacturer.

IMPACT 2021 59 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering More, together is

increasing collaborative research

connecting universities, industry and PFRAs

growing defence innovation capability

investing in emerging and future technology

implementing new research security

Defence’s More, together strategy sets the direction for defence science and technology out to 2030. The One Defence science and technology capability strategic pillar focuses on the importance of Defence collaborating and partnering with the national enterprise to build on the strengths and expertise of our national and international partners. Defence is committed to bringing together interdisciplinary teams to create innovative solutions that generate strategic advantage while developing

Read the strategy online sovereign industry capabilities. In supporting a technologically advanced Australian Defence Force, we encourage you to read the More, together strategy and be involved with this exciting initiative.

www.dst.defence.gov.au/strategy

Defence Science and Technology Group is a proud recipient of the Athena Scientific Women’s Academic Network (SWAN) Institutional Bronze Award. MOVERS & SHAKERS

Honours

FELLOWS RECOGNISED ON HONOURS LIST Seven Fellows of the Australian Academy of Engineering and Technology have been awarded Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in this year’s Australia Day Honours List. The Governor-General congratulated all 845 Australians recognised for their selflessness, commitment and dedication of service and contribution to the community.

Dr Brian O’Brien Dr Barry Inglis AO FTSE AO PSM FTSE (WA) Deceased (NSW) For distinguished service to science, For distinguished service to science particularly to lunar dust research, and engineering, particularly to to tertiary education in the field of metrology, measurement standards physics, and to the environment. and research, and to professional organisations.

Professor Helene Marsh Professor Graham Goodwin AO FTSE AO FTSE (QLD) James Cook University (NSW) University of Newcastle For distinguished service to the For distinguished service to tertiary biological and environmental education, and to electrical sciences, to the conservation engineering as an academic of marine mammals, and to and researcher, and to scientific tertiary education. academies.

Dr Russell Reichelt Emeritus Professor Christopher Fell AO FTSE AO AM FTSE (QLD) Great Barrier Reef Marine (NSW) Fell Consulting Pty Ltd Park Authority For distinguished service to science For distinguished service to marine and engineering, particularly to conservation, to ecosystem nanotechnology research and management of the Great Barrier fabrication, and to professional Reef, and to climate change research. networks.

Professor Mark Randolph AO FTSE (WA) University of Western Australia For distinguished service to geotechnical engineering and science, to tertiary education and research, and to professional organisations.

IMPACT 2021 61 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering VALE

Doug Anthony Brian John O’Brien John Watt A man of coast and country Space scientist who Nuclear analyst held up reached for the moon an X-Ray to industry The Hon John Douglas Anthony AC FTSE was Australia’s longest-serving Deputy Professor Brian O’Brien AO FTSE was an John Stanley Watt FTSE was a world leader Prime Minister and leader of the National influential physicist whose historic lunar in x-ray radioisotope technology. After (Country) Party from 1971-84. dust experiments were aboard Apollo 11. graduating from The University of Sydney He’s credited with modernising the Born in 1934, he completed his PhD in with a Master of Science in 1956, he began Nationals from a largely protectionist Physics at the University of Sydney in work with the Australian Atomic Energy party that represented farmers to one 1957. Seeing the dazzling beauty of the Commission as a Research Officer in the that was more outward looking and Aurora Australis while working in Antarctica Isotope Division. representative of the wide range of inspired him to pursue a career in space He became Head of the Radioisotope residents in regional Australia. research. Applications Research Section in 1967. Doug Anthony grew up in northern New In the 1960s he worked as a Professor In 1982, he was transferred to the South Wales and initially intended to run of Space Science at Rice University in CSIRO Division of Mineral Physics. He was his family’s dairy farm but entered politics Houston, making major discoveries about appointed an Assistant Chief of the CSIRO after the unexpected death of his father solar-terrestrial relations. Division of Mineral and Process Engineering who had served in the Menzies government. A NASA principal investigator at in 1985, and returned to full-time research Aged 27 he was the youngest member of the thrilling height of the space race, work as a CSIRO Fellow in 1995. He retired what was an all-male bastion. Professor O’Brien worked closely with from CSIRO in 1997. He had a quick mind and grasp of policy astronauts including Buzz Aldrin. Five of his Mr Watt was a pioneering thinker and it wasn’t long before he was appointed experiments were taken to the moon itself. who balanced laboratory research and to the frontbench. In 1971, on the retirement His historic work on lunar dust revealed the field trials, and excelled in knowledge of John McEwen, he became leader of what dangers it posed to scientific equipment commercialisation. His breakthroughs in was then the Country Party, as well as and made moon research safer and easier. radioisotope x-ray analysis were applied trade minister. One of his first tasks was to An early advocate of the need to address in a range of industries, from mining to expand Australia’s trade links with Asia. climate change, Professor O’Brien headed manufacturing and photography. During the next 13 years he also served the WA Environmental Protection Authority Discoveries he oversaw include a new as Deputy Prime Minister to Prime Ministers from 1971-1978. He later persuaded the method for the measurement of mass John Gorton, Billy McMahon and Malcolm WA Government to commit $1.7 million gas flow rate, a technique to analyse the Fraser. of funding to the Indian Ocean Climate copper and nickel in ore using gamma rays, When Mr Fraser took his annual summer Initiative. and a method for eradicating termites. break, Doug Anthony would often run the In 1978 he and his wife Dr Avril O’Brien Mr Watt was recognised with numerous country from his caravan at New Brighton (nee Searle), a heritage expert and awards, included a Centenary Medal and in his electorate. He dubbed it “beach polymath, established an environmental a Member of the Order of Australia “for power”. and strategic consultancy which worked service to the Australian mineral industry In 1977, he gave the dinner address at on a wide range of issues. through the development and application ATS(E)’s first symposium and after his Professor O’Brien was elected a Fellow of nuclear analysis techniques”. He was retirement from politics, he became the in 1993 and was an active member of the elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy inaugural chair of what was then the ATSE WA Division. In 2009 he became an Adjunct of Technology and Engineering in 1977 and Crawford Fund. He became an honorary Professor of Physics at the University of was editor of the international research ATSE Fellow in 1990 and was always a very Western Australia. journal Nuclear Geophysics. strong supporter of the Academy. Listed in Who’s Who in the World, his John Watt was an outstanding example In 2005 he delivered the ATSE Annual honours include the NASA Medal for of a scientist who can turn a penetrating Oration saying he found it a great Exceptional Scientific Achievement (the understanding of complex physical honour to be asked to speak to such a first Australian to receive this honour), the phenomena to the solution of industrial distinguished group of people. “I hope you Centennial Medal, and a recent Order of problems. He died on 20 July 2020, aged feel some satisfaction and joy from what Australia. 88. He was much loved by his wife Wendell, you are doing because it is important and He continued his internationally three children, eight grandchildren and two too often undervalued,” he said. significant space research well into his great grandchildren. Doug Anthony died 20 December 2020 eighties, and played an enthusiastic role With thanks to the CSIRO at the age of 90 in Murwillumbah and is in the 50-year celebration of the Apollo 11 survived by his wife Margot, three children mission. and nine grandchildren. Brian died on 7 August 2020, aged 86. He and Avril had four children, nine With thanks to the SMH, The Australian and grandchildren, and two great grand- John Zillman FTSE children. 62 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering VALE

Maurice Mulcahy Ray Martin Ron Hardwick A combustion doyen with Bridging the gap between Manufacturing technologist an explosive career academia and industry applied insight to industry Born in 1920, Dr Maurice Francis Robinson Professor Raymond Leslie Martin AO Ronald Thomas Hardwick FTSE was an Mulcahy FTSE was a passionate scholar FTSE FAA was the third Vice-Chancellor of expert at identifying, assessing and and a distinguished global authority on Monash University, guiding it through a implementing cutting-edge technologies chemical kinetics. period when opportunities for growth to make companies more profitable. He researched the propagation of were limited. Born in 1932, he studied Engineering at explosives in liquids at the University of His ten-year appointment began in 1977 the University of Sydney and went on to Melbourne during WWII and received his and coincided with a freeze in university advance a number of Australian industries, Doctor of Philosophy at Oxford University funding. Seeking a path towards financial including in the paper and mineral sectors. in 1948. self-reliance, he built new centres for Mr Hardwick was a leading thinker in Dr Mulcahy began his 38-year career innovative research and graduate teaching gas production and distribution, as well with the CSIRO researching the detonation at the university. as cylinder manufacture and design. He of nitroglycerine under impact. He gained One of his projects was the birth of held leadership roles at Commonwealth a reputation for keeping a cool, unruffled Montech, a high-tech consulting company Industrial Gases (now BOC) and Associated demeanour during extremely dangerous owned by Monash University with the Minerals. work in the lab. One colleague said “the aim of marketing research and ideas rich Over his varied career, Mr Hardwick retention of his limbs was ample testimony with commercial promise. He also opened founded and directed AVT Services – a to his experimental ability.” up contact with local industrial research scientific vacuum and cryogenics provider Dr Mulcahy brought his profound laboratories such as BHP, Telecom and the – and was a Director of an automated fundamental scientific skills to a range CSIRO. home security company, Netra Holdings. of practical applications, from coal Professor Martin was a distinguished In 1985 he began working for Visy combustion to atmospheric chemistry to chemist in his own right. In 1968 he was Paper and Pulp, where he oversaw the the fouling of boiler furnaces. His acclaimed awarded a Doctor of Science by Cambridge development of paper mills in Australia, 1973 book Gas Kinetics was one of his University for his contribution to the theory Europe and the US, including the Tumut many of publications. and practice of co-ordination chemistry Paper Mill in NSW. He introduced a In 1983 he became the first Australian and in 1978 he received a Doctor of Science number of measures to improve energy to receive a Combustion Chemistry Award from the Australian National University. He efficiency and waste recovery in paper from the Royal Society of Chemistry. In the was the recipient of the Leighton Medal manufacturing processes. same year he began his long retirement, (1989), the Inorganic Chemistry Medal Elected a Fellow in 2005, he was a keen which he enjoyed with international visiting (1978), the Archibald Ollé Prize (1975) and member of the Energy Forum and NSW professorships; an honorary research the HG Smith Medal (1968). Division. Fellowship with the CSIRO; and his library of When Professor Martin stepped down Ron Hardwick died on 2 April 2020, aged hundreds books covering his vast range of as Vice-Chancellor he continued until 87. He is survived by his wife Margaret, cultural and intellectual interests. 1991 to work as a Professor of Chemistry four children, seven grandchildren and four In 2003 Dr Mulcahy was awarded at Monash and played a part in shaping great-grandchildren. a Centenary Medal for his extensive science policy as Chair of the Australian research into the atmospheric chemistry Science and Technology Council. of urban and industrial air pollution. His In 1987 he was appointed an Officer work influenced our understanding and in the Order of Australia (AO) for services management of these issues across the to science and higher education, as well globe. as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of He was elected a Fellow of the Academy Science. In 1989 he became a Fellow of the in 1980, and was a member of the Royal Academy of Technology and Engineering. Australian Chemical Institute for an He’s been described as a quiet, charming extraordinary 78 years. and approachable man and a scientist of Dr Mulcahy died on 31 January 2020, two high integrity. weeks before his 100th birthday. He and his He died 25 February 2020, aged 94. late wife Jeanne had five children and four With thanks to Monash University grandchildren.

IMPACT 2021 63 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering

An original and remarkable thinker, he thinker, An original and remarkable born in Brisbane in 1925 was Potter Owen another awarded In 1949 he was in Australia to returned Potter Professor into apply his mind well to He continued Julia died in 2010. wife Potter’s Professor Owen Potter Potter Owen chemical A distinguished making the skies engineer clearer Edward Owen Professor Emeritus in a seminal figure was AM FTSE Potter and Australia chemical engineering in internationally. solid dry particulate to a process invented coal which alumina and brown materials, power emissions at only reduced not but also decreased by 20 percent stations was The invention costs. operating him numerous in 1981 and won patented and accolades. awards a scholarship school won and on leaving of the University science at study to with he graduated Queensland where chemical engineering. in honours first-class as working years two the next He spent scholarship training on a a researcher his master’s for while studying CSIRO from in applied sciences. degree a second master’s study to scholarship science and philosophy of in history degree teaching A London. of the University at Manchester of the University at post complete to time the and he used followed in chemical engineering. a PhD by research engineering in chemical 1960 as a reader Melbourne and soon of the University at head of the role on took concurrently after Chemical Engineering of the Department of at tenure He began a 26-year RMIT. at the foundation as Monash University in 1964. chemical engineering of professor up and chairing a family- setting his 90s, whose Cross-Flow, OEP company, directed the globally commercialise to mission was a gas particle of his invention for patents contactor. cross-flow their of by seven He is survived children. eight Not only was he interested in these in he interested only was Not born in 1948 and began was Cutler Dr the executive become to on He went the board to appointed In 2002 he was this period he also chaired During devoted also generously Cutler Dr Australian the of president He was contribution Cutler’s Dr of The breadth aged 72. July 2020, He died in Terry Cutler Cutler Terry science of connector A complex and arts FAHA FTSE Cutler Austin Terrence Dr public policyto contributor a major was of wide range an extraordinarily across tothe humanities and arts – from areas innovation science, telecommunication, and design. build relationships to he sought areas, His colleagues describe him them. between and conscientious. complex as creative, Australia Telecom in 1975 with his career the national in as an analyst Telstra) (now planning branch. telecommunications decision Telecom’s behind was team This data digital the first become one of to the 1980s. in networks overseeing Strategy, Corporate director, leaving change before regulatory major advisory his own establish to in 1991 & Company. Cutler company, 2012 and he held until – a role CSIRO of in public which combined his interests and good business practice policy, governance. corporate of review Government’s the Federal which System, Innovation the National Venturous the report in culminated the to letter In his covering Australia. the is not “Innovation he wrote, minister is Innovation the answer. it is problem; the imaginative it is the opportunity; not to opportunities.” response the arts and to time and expertise his sectors. education 2002- Image from the Moving for Centre Council Australia the of 2005 and chair as a He also served 2001-2002. from Opera Victoria, Film Cinemedia, of director Victorian the The Council of Australia, the Melbourne-based Arts, the College of dance company Chunky contemporary Victoria. of Board the Library and Move public policy saw him elected Australian to Public of the Institute to fellowships the Australian (2003), Administration and Engineering Technology of Academy the Academy of and (2008) the Australian Humanities (2010). 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering Technology of Academy Australian IMPACT IMPACT He later completed his Bachelor of of his Bachelor completed He later enjoyed a distinguished Woodall Dr to approach scientific Woodall’s Dr the to discovery contributed Woodall Dr in 1977 ATSE of a Fellow elected He was many mining of member An influential 2021. died on 15 February Woodall Roy Dr Born in Perth in 1930 to recent British recent to in 1930 Born in Perth FAA FTSE AO Woodall Roy Dr migrants, the Hydraulics in clerk as junior began work Department Works the Public Division of 16. at of the University at Science with honours his Masters and in 1953, Australia Western in 1957. California of the University at Mining Corporation Western the with career as a geologist working nearly 50 years, for (1962- geologist chief assistant (1953-1961), exploration (1967-68), geologist chief 67), exploration of director (1968-78), manager (1996- director and non-executive (1978-95) Gympie for director later He was 2001). Gold and Bendigo Mining. the revolutionised exploration mineral to method a new He introduced industry. and closely bauxite, quartz from remove the shape find to formations rock studied deposits. mineral and composition of the country, around crucial deposits of largest the fourth including Olympic Dam, uranium deposit and largest copper the world. deposit in the over and made many contributions In 1981 he was Academy. the of lifetime Australia of the Order of made an Officer and the mining industry, to service for accolades numerous awarded he was the including his career, throughout Medal. Centenary Geosciencethe Australian organisations, the his legacy with Council has honoured Medal. Woodall the Roy launch of ten Barbara, by his wife He is survived and six great- 30 grandchildren children, grandchildren. Roy Woodall Woodall Roy geologist A ground-breaking

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Prince Philip An advocate for engineers The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering was honoured to have Prince Philip as its one and only Royal Fellow. The Duke of Edinburgh was a strong supporter of the Academy’s establishment and was inducted as a Fellow in 1977, just one year after the Academy was inaugurated. Prince Philip met with ATSE Fellows on a number of occasions and had an interesting Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) — fsc.org debate with Foundation President Sir Ian FSC is an international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world‘s forests. McLennan on the concept and scope of the FSC has developed a system of forest certification and product technological sciences. labelling that enables people to identify responsibly sourced wood, He also held engineers in high regard. paper and other forest products. In an interview with the BBC Radio 4’s Today program in 2015, Prince Philip said FSC runs a global forest certification system with two key components: “everything not invented by God is invented Forest Management and Chain of Custody (CoC). The certification process by an engineer”. is carried out by independent organisations called certification bodies, He went on to add that engineers hold the which assess forest managers and forest products companies key to the future of humanity and its ability against FSC standards. to continue to thrive on the planet. Prince Philip died on 9 April 2021, Forest Management aged 99. FSC certified forests must be managed to the highest environmental, social and economic standards. Trees that are harvested are replanted or allowed to regenerate naturally. The forests must be managed with due respect for the environment, the wildlife and the people who live and work in them. This is to ensure that a forest is well-managed, from the protection of indigenous people’s rights to the methods of felling trees. FSC is the only forest certification scheme endorsed by WWF, Greenpeace and Planet Ark.

Chain of Custody (CoC) FSC chain of custody verifies that FSC-certified material has been identified and separated from non-certified and non-controlled material as it makes its way along the supply chain, from the forest to the market.

Postal envelope PEFC, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, is a leading global alliance of national forest certification systems. As an international non-profit, non-governmental organisation, they are dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification. Whilst FSC sets specific standards, PEFC incorporates different national certification schemes.

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IMPACT 2021 65 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering What Range: How generalists triumph in a specialized world David Epstein. Macmillan 2019 “Scientists and members of the general studies does not make a strong body we’re public are about equally likely to of evidence, no matter how compelling. have artistic hobbies, but scientists Ironically, it is when the book delves too inducted into the highest national deeply into scientific literature that it reading academies are much more likely to have becomes least convincing, especially avocations outside of their vocation. when you check the original studies. Nobel laureates are at least 22 times more likely to partake as an amateur In familiar chapters, Epstein also actor, dancer, magician, or other type of explores how the hyper-specialisation performer.” of science has decelerated the pace of breakthrough discoveries. The cross- Range is a pop-science/self-help book pollination and creativity that comes that argues against the cult of 10,000 from broad knowledge or experience hours and obsessive specialisation, both in multiple different schools is actively at an individual and an organisational disincentivised. level, as the most effective path to success. Basic research, exploratory research – which has been recently spotlighted Instead, David Epstein tries to show as part of the reason we were able to that generalists are the ones who develop COVID-19 vaccines faster than have achieved the most impactful previously thought possible – is not innovations and the most memorable encouraged under the current system art, and have done so, not in spite of, but that is set up to reward specialists. because their time spent “dabbling” in diverse interests. If you already believe in the concept of T shaped people or being a jack of all Epstein’s generous use of high profile trades, this book will do nicely. If not, you case studies makes this enjoyable probably won’t be convinced, but will reading that moves along at a clip. leave with some fun trivia to inject into Epstein invokes Charles Darwin, Roger your water cooler conversations (Did Federer, and NASA’s failed Apollo you know Van Gogh’s most acclaimed mission to show how broad knowledge paintings are from the last three years and early sampling in different fields of his life, after he spent his previous is an advantage. These are presented years trying other things?). in contrast to examples of early specialisers (Tiger Woods, the Polgar Don’t expect any practical advice about sisters) who spent their childhoods how to become more of a generalist. perfecting their craft to excel into adulthood. But this strength is also a weakness: Review by Dr Esa Chen while very interesting, a series of case

66 IMPACT 2021 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering If I understood you, The river of consciousness would I have this look Oliver Sacks. Picador on my face? “Memory,” writes the late neurologist that beset him in his 80s. Sacks finalised Alan Alda. Random House Oliver Sacks, “arises not only from the contents of the collection two weeks If I understood you, would I have this look experience but from the intercourse of before his death from cancer, and writes on my face? is Alan Alda’s adventure many minds.” That “common mind, the with extraordinary frankness about his to discover how to communicate general commonwealth of knowledge” own ill body’s biology. effectively. For 20 years, Alda had unfurls through this posthumous been trying to understand why collection of Sacks’ essays: a vivid For a book that deconstructs the communicating seemed so hard, tapestry of cutting-edge research, process of human sentience, The river especially when trying to explain scientific history, fascinating case of consciousness is amazingly humane. something complicated. studies and anecdotes from the Lucid, lyrical and compelling, this is a polymath’s own life. great work of science communication Some years ago, Alda helped found from an endlessly curious mind. the Center for Communicating Science One essay charts Darwin’s epiphany at Stony Brook University in New York. that flowers sexually reproduce, and co- Scientists, it turned out, are the perfect evolved with the insects that pollinate Review by Ben Hickey example of individuals who must be them. Another delves into Freud’s early able to communicate effectively at a work in neuroscience and “dynamic and fundamental level to share knowledge constructional view of the brain” which with the most diverse audiences – the anticipated later research by half a public, other scientists, politicians, century. business leaders. In Scotoma: forgetting and neglect in In his endeavour, Alda draws on his science Sacks explores the strange role training as an actor, his expertise in improvisation, and his experience with that “contingency, or sheer luck” plays scientific communication to deliver a in the discovery, loss and rediscovery warm, funny and enlightening chronicle of knowledge. If Charles Babbage’s on communication through connection. “… theoretical difference engine – a computer – had been built when he The book explores the need to proposed it 1822, might the course of understand others in order to science have been quite different?” communicate with them and draws on Alda’s 20-year journey to figure out Many of the pieces chart the emergence how to better use empathy to achieve a and operation of consciousness, from deep form of listening. the mental lives of sea-slugs to the intricacies of creative thought. Reading The book is a witty and gentle Sacks can even be a meditative exploration of the key ingredients which experience: when he writes that “a single make effective communication possible. conscious visual percept may thus The key, as he puts it, is to truly connect entail parallel and mutually influencing with your audience. Alda reminds us activities of billions of nerve cells” I that our brains are wired to receive the imagined the protean fractal of my own thoughts and feelings of others, and neural connections processing the sight that most of us have the hardware of the ink on the page. already – all we need to do is connect. Sacks’ illustrative personal stories infuse his analysis with warmth: one charming Review by Jasmine Francis essay examines the quirky mishearings

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