Science Meets Parliament 2024!
Meet the ‘Science Meets Parliament’ AuScope Team. Image: AuScope
Earlier this year, three AuScopers walked into parliament, each with a different tale of a changing Australia, and the implications of glacial retreat, earthquakes and coastal erosion for policymakers. Here, Professor Anya Reading, Dr Voon Hui Lai and Associate Professor Steve Micklethwaite share their reflections on the Science Meets Parliament 2024 (SMP2024) event for us.
Overview
SMP2024 is an annual event that uniquely fosters relationships and knowledge sharing between scientists and ministers shaping Australia's science policy. Building on the success of previous years, SMP2024 was its biggest yet, with more than 90 parliamentarians and 360 delegates from all areas of science, technology, engineering and maths.
2024 Reflections
The consensus of AuScope’s talent pool depicted SMP24 as another rewarding event, with many panel talks providing great perspectives across different areas of science.
“Lively science conversations amongst delegates, great content throughout, a strong thread of diversity and uplifting [of] others.”
One of note was Professor Sharath Sriram's address to the National Press Club of Australia, highlighting the need for improving R&D spending to enhance Australia’s innovation capabilities and ecosystem.
Also contributing to the event's success was our team’s engagement with several ministers, including MP Patrick Gorman, Kristy McBain, and Senator David Pocock, where our team found great encouragement. Anya Reading, Professor of Geophysics at the University of Tasmania who leads AuScope’s Geophysical Research Infrastructure for Antarctica (GRIT) project, highlighted:
“Many parliamentarians are open [to] input from scientists and see science as providing a long-term benefit. They prefer to hear what would make a positive difference [rather] than another tale of doom” – Professor Anya Reading
Associate Professor Steven Micklethwaite from the University of Queensland who leads AuScope’s Coast RI - Earth Drone project reiterated the same sentiments, and highlighted the importance of continuing to build better communications with Indigenous groups, particularly within the realm of data:
“The burden [of incumbency] is on us as a community to be more engaged with indigenous communities, and to take seriously the two-way conversation of data sovereignty.”
– Associate Professor Steven Micklethwaite
Left: Associate Professor Steven Micklethwaite, Professor Anya Reading, & Dr Voon Hui Lai. Top Right: Dr Cathy Foley. Bottom Right: SMP2024 Summit. Image: AuScope
Dr Voon Hui Lai from the Research School of Earth Sciences at ANU who is part of AuScope’s Earth Sounding project noted it was an eye-opening event and found privilege in hearing the different perspectives within science, including those from Indigenous researchers and their journey through STEM.
“...one that moved me was the diaspora effect on them leaving mob to seek higher education and opportunity…”
– Dr Voon Hui Lai
David Pockock impressed by AuScope’s work
Thanks to our delegation at SMP2024, our engagement resulted in David Pocock providing a short statement in the Australian Senate, endorsing the need for consistent funding for research so that programs can continue collecting data across all sectors.
“...part of valuing our scientists is funding their work, we need to see a serious investment from the government in research and development”
– Senator David Pocock
Overall, SMP2024 provided a profound learning experience for all attendees, and AuScope will continue to fly the Earth Science banner at future events. We thank Science and Technology (STA) Australia for producing another great event, and for their work in improving the interplay of science advocacy and policy engagement between researchers and parliamentarians alike so that we can continue improving capability and visibility across our rich research ecosystem.
Curious to know more
Discover more of our previous SMP events below:
STORY IN A NUTSHELL
SMP2024 is a major science communication event hosted by Science and Technology Australia (STA) every year.
AUTHORS
Authors: Daniel Vlahek & Jo Condon
Edited by: Philomena Manifold
FURTHER READING
STA is Australia’s peak body in science and technology. It represents more than 80,000 scientists and technologists. In addition to Science Meets Parliament, STA offers professional development opportunities for Earth scientists through AuScope’s membership.