Nelson Announces Appointment of New Science Advisor. (December 2, 2004)

    The Minister for Education, Science and Training, Brendan Nelson, has announced that Jade Sharples is to be the replacement for Thomas Barlow who resigned from the post in October as Science and Research Advisor. Dr Sharples completed her PhD in 2000 in plant physiology jointly at the University of Western Sydney and the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Huntingdon UK and she has recently completed reading law by correspondence.

Dr Sharples thesis is on the Role of the ericoid mycorrhizal fungus Hymenoscyphus ericae in arsenate resistance of Calluna vulgaris at contaminated mine sites.

This past August the British High Commission announced the appointed of Dr Sharples as their Science and Technology Officer, it being the first time the High Commission had made a dedicated science appointment and noted, "The appointment reflects the belief that both [Great Britain and Australia], as world leaders in scientific research, could benefit from each other’s achievements through enhanced collaboration at both the research and industry level." Her first assignment was to compile a report outlining Australia's particular scientific strengths, existing Australian/UK collaborations and identifying any scientific disciplines that could benefit directly from enhanced Australia/UK collaborations.

In today's announcement of Dr Sharples appointment as his science and research advisor, Dr Nelson said, "In addition to her role as my Science and Research Adviser, Dr Sharples will also provide a contact point within my office for peak science bodies, research agencies and the broader scientific community."

How much influence she will have on departmental science and research policy in her advisory capacity remains to be seen.