With just a fortnight until National Science Week, please join us on 12 August for the official national launch. You can register here for this free virtual event - and we’d love you to extend this invitation to your networks. STA is honoured to deliver the launch in partnership with Questacon on behalf of the Australian Government. We’ll bring you an inspiring array of experts to speak on The Science of Recovery, Resilience and Renewal - and unveil some fascinating new insights on how Australians value science and the work of our scientists.

Our thoughts are especially with all of you and your members in New South Wales right now as this lockdown continues. We’re acutely conscious of the impact for those juggling working and caring responsibilities at home, and those facing an uncertain outlook in their employment. Please know the rest of the nation sends love and support - and wishes you every strength. 

STA has been busy on your behalf over the past month with a raft of engagements across Government and with Parliamentarians, public service departments and agencies. This includes promoting our new STA policy vision. In an opinion piece in the Australian Financial Review last week, we made the case for further investments in research translation, commercialisation and R&D. We’ve published our recent submissions on the Australian curriculum review - here’s the write-up in Campus Morning Mail - and on mitochondrial donation law. We’ve also been concerned about the timing of the latest round of Australian Research Council funding grants.     

To wrap up the fortnight, STA is delighted to welcome another great STEM education organisation to our membership. The Victorian Space Science Education Centre inspires students in scientific learning and literacy, and supports teachers and schools with high quality education resources. Please warmly welcome VSSEC, its Director Michael Pakakis and its External Relations adviser Dr Brett Biddington to STA.

Until next time, 

Misha Schubert 
CEO, Science & Technology Australia