Compiled by Diana Temple
The Australia Prize is to have a new name and focus. The new Prime Minister’s Prize for Science was unveiled by the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, Senator Nick Minchum, in November. The prize, valued at $300 000, will recognise outstanding achievement by Australians in science and technology which promotes human welfare. The recipient of the award will also become a member of the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council for the year following. Two new Minister’s Prizes for Achievement in Science have also been introduced for young scientists (under 35).
The change are designed to emphasise the government’s commitment to promoting science. In addition to "raising community awareness of the contribution science and technology make to our economic and social well-being", the prizes are intended to "help raise the status of science and technology, and encourage young people to pursue a career in science", Senator Minchum said. Nominations for the awards close on the 10th March, and the awards will be presented at Parliament House in mid-2000.
The Australian Academy of Science is holding a major national symposium on 'Australia's Science Future' in Canberra on 3-4 May, during National Science Week.
There will be several fields, including genetic engineering, and the aim is to be forward looking on where current research is taking us. The organisers are particularly keen to attract younger scientists.
More information and a registration form can be obtained from the Academy's
website: http://www.science.org.au/future.
Professor Judith Whitworth became director of the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the ANU in August last year. She is world-reknowned for her work on the control of blood pressure and kidney function. As well as being a Professor of Medicine at UNSW, Judith was previously chair of Medical
Research Council of NH&MRC (1994-1997) and Chief Medical Officer for the
federal government (1997-1999). She faces some tough decisions to ensure JCSMRs financial viability.
The Chief Executive of CSIRO, Sir Malcolm McIntosh AC, passed away on 7th Febraury, 2000, after a long struggle with cancer. He had held the position since 1996, playing a central role in the major restructuring of the organisation. He was a member of the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, and was made a Companion in the Order of Australia in 1999. Charles Allen, Chairman of CSIRO, said of Sir Malcolm, "We will remember him as a man of great vision, humour and principles, as a devoted family man and as an inspirational leader."
The National Council of Women in Australia has launched its Work-Life Management Policy with a 26 page booklet called Balancing Life and Work. The booklet deals with flexible and family friendly work practises, and is designed as a tool for employers and employees to assist in the integration of personal and work lives. This is expected to improve workplace culture, boost morale and increase job satisfaction and productivity. The booklet is available free (thanks to North Limited) from NCWA (http://www.q-net.au/~ncwwa).
The Nature of Gender - The Gender of Nature
The 5th symposium on gender research will be held at Christian-Albrechts University at Kiel, Denmark, 10-12 November, 2000. The symposium is devoted to the exploration of gender as a category within the natural sciences and technology. Topics will include Gender between nature and culture; Gender-typed treatment of resources; Natural sciences and technology as "male" projects?; Gender and technology.
Call for Papers - Abstracts (in English, less than one page) for oral or poster presentations are due by April 1, 2000
For further information:
http://www.rz.uni-kiel.de/zif/ or
contact Susanne Oelkers oelkers@zif.uni-kiel.de
This issue's cover picture was created by Mary Rosengren who was a long time friend of Toni O'Neill. They had started a collaboration to interpret Toni's scientific work (i.e. remote sensing) artistically. Mary is currently completing this project which will be exhibited in October 2000 at The Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Wollongong.