Register now for our blockbuster program for Science meets Parliament 2022. Packed with a constellation of global and Australian stars, SmP2022 will include Laureate Professor Peter Doherty. Throughout the pandemic, he’s spent countless hours correcting misinformation and sharing facts with warmth, wit and candour. 

Why not put your brand in front of the nation’s science and technology community and policy decision-makers as a sponsor of Science meets Parliament? STA members who are SmP2022 sponsors include Western Sydney University, Deakin University, ARC Centre of Excellence for Exciton Science, NCI Australia, New Edge Microbials and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems. Thank you all! To explore sponsorship, please get in touch.
 
The exposure draft of the eagerly-awaited new national research infrastructure roadmap is out. This hugely important document will shape investment decisions on research infrastructure. STA will coordinate a response from our members. Please get in touch as soon as possible to share your insights. Submissions are due by 22 December. 

Yesterday, the ARC announced it would fund fellowships for six brilliant scholars in quantum and astrophysics whose appeals over the pre-prints issue were upheld. We are deeply relieved for these scholars, who have had a hugely stressful six months. While these developments are welcome, there is deep consternation in our community about the delay in the latest ARC funding round. More on this here. If you have further insights to share, please get in touch.  

Our new leadership team has hit the ground running. Mark Hutchinson used his opening media as STA President to outline his key priorities including nurturing a skilled, diverse STEM workforce. Five more impressive STEM leaders have also joined the Board – our new Vice President Dr Anita Goh, new Treasurer Mark Stickells, new Executive member Professor Chris Matthews, new ECR representative Diana Zhang and new Board Director Rachel Przeslawski.  

STA is also thrilled to welcome six more members. Deakin University is a science and technology powerhouse - and four of its science, technology, and engineering centres have joined us. They are Deakin's Institute for Frontier Materials, Institute for Intelligent Systems and Research, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, and the Centre for Regional and Rural Futures. The Australian Research Data Commons, headed by its dynamic CEO Rosie Hicks, gives Australian researchers competitive advantage through access to vast collections of data – funded through NCRIS. The University of Adelaide Sciences Alumni Network connects science alumni to forge a powerful network, spark clever collaborations, and build a thriving community. A very warm STA welcome to you all!