How healthy is the state of science where you live? What’s been achieved thus far and how will the future of STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering & Maths) play out in your state?
These were some of the questions pondered last night at the special forum “The State of Science in SA“. As the current Programme Secretary for the Royal Society of South Australia (RSSA, a membership-based learned society interested in science, with beginnings that can be traced back to 1834), I organised a forum to discuss just that.
The Royal Society SA in conjunction with the Royal Institution of Australia collaborated in a special joint event for their members with the SA Chief Scientist, Professor Caroline McMillen, giving the keynote address. Professor McMillen presented an overview of SA science and its direction for the future. She covered the three pillars of science (talent, translation & innovation, systems & processes).
A panel discussion with experts representing the Natural Sciences, Defence and Aerospace, Health and Medical Science, and Science Communication followed. Many thanks to our panellists for their valuable insights:
- Sabine Dittman, President of the Royal Society of South Australia
- Bradley Abraham, Director of The Royal Institution of Australia
- Cathy Riach, BAE Systems Australia
- Caroline McMillen, SA Chief Scientist
Dr Alice Clement 