Dear ASPS Members,

We have a unique opportunity to promote your work!  Our President Peter Ryan’s application for funding to support ASPS running National Science Week (14-22 August) activities was successful and many events across Australia are in the process of being organized at QUT, Univ of Newcastle, Southern Cross Univ, Univ of Sydney, ANU, CSIRO, La Trobe Univ, Univ of Melbourne, Monash Univ, Univ of Adelaide and Flinders University).

To help engage National Science Week attendees we would like to introduce you and your work to participants – if you are an ASPS member we want to promote you!

To achieve this we need you to create a 30 second (mp4) video of yourself delivering four key pieces of information – in the video please tell us (1) your name, (2) your institution, (3) the piece of plant science research that you are most proud of and (4) the most pressing plant science research question you want to resolve in the future.

We need your video files by 25^th July. They will be compiled for sharing publicly as part of National Science Week Events, and potentially online in the lead up to the event. Instructions on how to do this are included below.

Thank you in advance,

ASPS WCSC

Instructions:

1. Log into Zoom and create a new meeting
2. Select ‘record’ and record the meeting to your computer
3. Record yourself explaining: (1) your name, (2) your institution, (3) the plant science research break through you are most proud of and (4) the most pressing plant science research question you want to resolve in the future. Then stop the recording and stop the meeting (file should be available on your computer). Open the file location and make sure it is 30 seconds or less (re-record if you go over time to keep it to 30 seconds or less).
4. Check the size and clarity – 30 sec video files should be approximately less than 4000KB, small enough to send via email; also, in Zoom settings you can chose to select a background image relevant to your work (your favorite plant, field site, lab equipment, figure file) – this will make your content more engaging.  30 seconds is about 50-60 spoken words – you can plan your words to ensure clear and simple messages, which are best for engaging all age groups.
5. Email ausplantsci@gmail.com with your video attached. Thank you!

____________________________________

Dr Peter R Ryan

President, Australian Society of Plant Scientists

Honorary Fellow, CSIRO Agriculture and Food

PO Box 1700

Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

Email: Peter.Ryan@csiro.au

Mob: 0468671565

Dear ASPS members past and present,

Due to the ongoing issues with travel and the pandemic in 2021 the ASPS will run coordinated local face-to-face meetings in states and territories across Australia.

We ask members to “Save the Date”

ASPS 2021 conference

When: Thursday 25^th of November (joint awards session 2-4pm AEDT)

Where: Local state/territory meetings (TBA soon)

ASPS AGM

When: Friday 26^th of November, 12pm (AEDT)

Where: Online meeting

More details will come regarding local venues and registration in May.

Cheers,

Simon

Honorary Secretary ASPS.

Hi ASPS members,

It appears that ASPS Honorary President, Peter Ryan’s email has been compromised and people involved in ASPS are receiving an email from someone impersonating Peter (as the ASPS chair) that ends up in a request for money to help him out. It actually looks very legitimate as it appears to come from an @csiro address.

I’m sending this email because multiple people have got this email. Under no circumstances would Peter request money from any members.

Thanks,

Simon Williams, ASPS Honorary Secretary.

The April Global Plant Council E-bulletin can be accessed HERE.

Dear ASPS Members,

The closing dates for the two major ASPS awards has been extended until Wednesday 24^th March 2021.

These prestigious awards include the Peter Goldacre Medal, which is awarded for research contributions for early/mid-career researchers (male or female) within 10 years of their PhD, and the Jan Anderson Award, which specifically recognises the significant contribution of mid-career female researchers.

For further information about the applications please see these links:

www.asps.org.au/awards/peter-goldacre-award

www.asps.org.au/awards/jan-anderson-award-and-lecture

Nominations for these awards should be sent to secretary@asps.org.au by midnight 24 March 2021.

 

Cheers,

Simon Williams

ASPS Honorary Secretary

Dear ASPS Members,

A final reminder that the closing dates for the two major ASPS awards is Friday 19 March 2021.

These prestigious awards include the Peter Goldacre Medal, which is awarded for research contributions for early/mid-career researchers (male or female) within 10 years of their PhD, and the Jan Anderson Award, which specifically recognises the significant contribution of mid-career female researchers.

For further information about the applications please see these links:

www.asps.org.au/awards/peter-goldacre-award

www.asps.org.au/awards/jan-anderson-award-and-lecture

Nominations for these awards should be sent to secretary@asps.org.au by midnight 19 March 2021. Contact Simon Williams (Secretary) or myself if you have any questions.

Thanks, Peter Ryan

____________________________________

Dr Peter R Ryan

President, Australian Society of Plant Scientists

Honorary Fellow, CSIRO Agriculture and Food

PO Box 1700

Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

Dear ASPS Members,

I would like to remind you all that the Australian Society of Plant Scientists is now accepting nominations for its two major awards. These are the Peter Goldacre Medal, which is awarded for research contributions for early/mid-career researchers (male or female) within 10 years of their PhD, and the Jan Anderson Award, which specifically recognises the significant contribution of mid-career female researchers.

These are prestigious awards and we invite eligible candidates to either submit applications themselves or encourage their lab members and colleagues to apply for them.

For further information about the applications please see these links:

www.asps.org.au/awards/peter-goldacre-award

www.asps.org.au/awards/jan-anderson-award-and-lecture

Nominations should be sent to secretary@asps.org.au by 19th of March 2021. Contact any of the executive if you have any questions.

Many thanks, Peter Ryan

____________________________________

Dr Peter R Ryan

President, Australian Society of Plant Scientists

Honorary Fellow, CSIRO Agriculture and Food

PO Box 1700

Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

Details on the ASPS Education and Outreach Award can be accessed HERE.

Details on the RN Robertson Travelling Fellowship can be accessed HERE.

Dear ASPS Members,

Welcome back after an extraordinary year of challenges. I would like to bring your attention to the 2021 Science Meets Parliament event organised by Science & Technology Australia (STA).

STA represents more than 80 societies, including ASPS, and is Australia’s peak body in science and technology. It conducts outreach sessions involving the public and government and tries to influence public policy in these areas. Each year STA organises its flagship event called Science Meets Parliament (SmP). This event connects parliamentarians with STEM practitioners and leaders in order to share information and ideas and to help build Australia’s excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

This event usually occurs in Canberra during a parliamentary sitting period. However, due to Covid19, the 2021 program will be spread over several virtual sessions between 2 March and 1 April. This includes a Gala Dinner to be held on the 29 March in five separate cities. More information on Science Meets Parliament and a detailed program can be found here: https://sta.eventsair.com/smp2021/

ASPS is allowed to invite two members to attend this worthwhile initiative. Any members interested in applying should contact our Secretary Simon Williams (simon.williams@anu.edu.au) by 12 February to express their interest and provide a CV. We especially encourage early career researchers to apply. Please study the SmP program carefully being mindful of the dates and the time commitment it requires.

Regards, Peter Ryan

President ASPS

 The January Global Plant Council E-Bulletin can be accessed HERE.

Hello ASPS members,

Meet Australia’s newest Superstars of STEM

Australia’s newest Superstars of STEM – 60 brilliant women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics who want to step into the spotlight as experts in their fields – will be announced today.

The new Superstars reflects the strong diversity of women in STEM – including three Indigenous scientists and engineers, and a record number of Superstars from South Australia and the ACT.

Science & Technology Australia Chief Executive Officer Misha Schubert said the program gave women in STEM the skills and confidence to step into expert commentary roles in the media.

“It’s hard to be what you can’t see,” she said. “Women are still seriously under-represented in STEM – especially at the senior leadership levels.”

“The Superstars of STEM program sets out to smash stereotypes of what a scientist, technologist, engineer or mathematician look like – these powerful role models show girls that STEM is for them.”

“We thank the Australian Government for its strong support of this important program, which is already having a profound impact.”

“Sustaining this type of program for the long-term is more important than ever amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic on women in the STEM workforce.”

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews will today officially announce those chosen for Science & Technology Australia’s game-changing Superstars of STEM program in 2021.

“This program upends the adage ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ by increasing the visibility of women in STEM and encouraging girls and young women to aspire to an exciting STEM career,” Minister Andrews said.

“With STEM skills crucial to driving innovation and playing a significant role in preparing people for the jobs of the future, it’s essential that all Australians have the opportunity to participate in these fields.

“Gender equity in STEM is a key focus of the Morrison Government and we’re taking action to support women in STEM careers and provide diverse STEM role models to inspire the next generation.”

Since doing the program, current Superstar Dr Kudzai Kanhutu has become a regular on ABC’s The Drum, regularly sharing her expertise in frontline health challenges, technology and current affairs.

Another current Superstar Dr Kate Cole generated front-page media in May that led to a ban on hundreds on unsafe masks, protecting frontline healthcare workers and the Australian public.

“There is no way I would have spoken to the media before the Superstars of STEM program, and if I hadn’t done that, more than 600 questionable masks would still be on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods,” she says.

Supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, these next 60 Superstars of STEM will participate in the program in 2021 and 2022.

STA thanks GE and The Department of Defence as partners of the Superstars of STEM program in 2021-2022. The program is also supported by the Australian Science Media Centre, The Conversation and STEM Matters.

Our full list of new Superstars is now available on our website

Media contacts:
Science & Technology Australia: media inquiries: Misha Schubert 0421 612 351
Minister Karen Andrews’ office: Keegan Buzza 0447 697 846 or Jennifer Jennings 0435 121 347

Dear ASPS members

STA announces new President-elect and Executive

Science & Technology Australia is pleased to announce the election of new members to its Executive Committee at STA’s Annual General Meeting today.

Silo-busting innovator and industry-engaged research entrepreneur Professor Mark Hutchinson is STA’s new President-elect. He will become President at the end of or next AGM in November 2021.

For seven years, Mark has been Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Biophotonics at the University of Adelaide. He will be the first South Australian to serve as STA President.

The centre has produced 15 spin-outs and start-ups and has 30 flourishing industry partnerships. Its silo-busting approach encourages engineers, physicists, chemists and biologists to work across disciplines to build new products and techniques using light at the cellular level.

STA’s newly-elected executive members are:

• President-elect – Professor Mark Hutchinson
• Secretary – Jas Chambers
• Policy Committee Chair – Professor Sharath Sriram
• Early Career Representative – Dr Chloe Taylor

STA President Associate Professor Jeremy Brownlie congratulated the newly-elected Executive and said he looked forward to working with them all.

He also thanked outgoing Secretary Associate Professor Darren Saunders and outgoing ECR representative Associate Professor Sumeet Walia for their excellent service to STA.

“We are blessed with a wealth of talented leaders across the STEM sector who want to contribute their energy, ideas and leadership to STA’s success,” he said.

“Mark will be outstanding as our next President, and the refreshed Executive including Sharath, Jas and Chloe reflects the excellence, diversity and breadth of skills in the sector.”

“I thank Darren Saunders for his excellent work as our secretary supporting governance work, and Sumeet Walia for his work for early career researchers and as co-chair of STA’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.”

STA President-elect Professor Mark Hutchinson said he was honoured to have been entrusted by the STA members to lead the organisation as President from the end of 2021.

“I want to work with the STEM sector to help foster even deeper connections between the research community and those who need our research to transform lives, industries and policy,” he said.

“I see an exciting set of possibilities to identify challenges that Government and industry want to solve – and bringing our best research brains to that task.”

“I want to support our STEM workforce, share entrepreneurial skills, foster diversity and equity, and propel even more Australian science and technology from the bookshelf to the boardroom.”

He looks forward to working closely with current President Jeremy Brownlie and CEO Misha Schubert over the next year as President-elect.

“Jeremy has worked tirelessly to strengthen STA’s visibility as a respected policy and advocacy voice for the science, technology, engineering and mathematics sectors,” he said.

“It will be an honour to work with him over the next year and to succeed him as President in November.”

Media contacts:
Science & Technology Australia: 6257 2891