Notes from the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies. (April 2, 2011)

Below we reprint excerpts from the notes in the April news letter from the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS).

Threats to NHMRC funding
FASTS has co-signed a letter that was distributed to all MPs and Senators. These efforts have been reported in the media, please see link below: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/health/revolt-at-research-fund-cut/story-fn59nokw-1226027029337
In addition FASTS has discussed this issue directly with the Office of Minister Butler, the responsible Minister. FASTS will continue to place pressure on the government and I encourage you to contribute to the lobbying effort. Parallel campaigns are underway by others in the medical research sector, such as Discoveries need Dollars: www.discoveriesneeddollars.org ; and the ASMR campaign: http://www.asmr.org.au/campaign.html . Social media has been used effectively in this campaign.

Primary Connections and Science by Doing
Funding for two programs administered by the Australian Academy of Science, Primary Connections and Science by Doing IS under threat, despite the Programs almost being self-sustaining.
The Programs are designed to teach science teachers how to make science hands-on, fun and interesting for students. A Parliamentary motion tabled by the Opposition will be deliberated the week after the Federal Budget is handed down in May.

Australian Learning and Teaching Council was defunded as part of the savings introduced to offset spending on flood recovery. FASTS directly raised its concerns about this decision with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Finance Minister’s Office. We will continue to advocate on this matter as the functions of the ALTC are transitioned to the Department of Education.

Role of the Chief Scientist
FASTS participated in the Australian Science Media Centre’s Online briefing regarding the role of the Chief Scientist. Presentations can be accessed here:
http://www.aussmc.org/2011/03/media-alert-are-they-being-heard-the-role-of-the-chief-scientist/

LAUNCH OF THE RESEARCH WORKFORCE STRATEGY
The research workforce strategy (titled Research Skills for an Innovative Future) will be launched by Minister Carr on Tuesday 19 April at Parliament House, Canberra.
FASTS has been closely involved in the development of the strategy over the last 18 months.
 

SCIENCE MEETS POLICYMAKERS
At the Inspiring Australia Conference this week it was announced that in October 2011, FASTS will hold Science meets Policymakers as an Inspiring Australia initiative.

Science meets Policymakers will explore ways that the evidence base can be systematically used by policy makers so that the evidence base can be used every day, as part of the policy making process, as part of advice that is delivered to decision makers. The conference will also look at the political dimension of policy making.

We know that the communication of evidence to policy makers is critical in developing policy in the 21st century, therefore policy makers must have easy and ready access to information about changing science and technology issues.

An informed and enabled public service is a strong public service and one able to serve the community and government well.
A scientific community able to communicate their evidence to policy makers, is an effective scientific community.

Science meets Policymakers will be held at the Australian National Institute for Public Policy at Crawford School ANU in October 2011.