Dear ASPS members,

Just a reminder to submit your ASPS2019 poster abstract before October.

Submit your abstract HERE

Register for ASPS2019 HERE

View the draft ASPS2019 program HERE

If you haven’t already read the September edition of Phytogen it can be viewed HERE.

The International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS, ISSN 1422-0067, Impact Factor: 4.183) is an open access journal which provides an advanced forum for molecular studies in biology, chemistry and biophysics. Our aim is to provide rigorous peer review and enable rapid publication of cutting-edge research to educate and inspire the scientific community worldwide. IJMS is indexed by the Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science), MEDLINE (PubMed) and other important databases. Manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision provided to authors approximately 17 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 4.9 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2018).

Plants (ISSN 2223-7747; Impact Factor: 2.632) is an open access journal of plant science. Our aim is to encourage scientists and research groups to publish theoretical and experimental results of research in all fundamental and applied fields of plant science. Plants is indexed by the Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science), BIOSIS Previews (Clarivate Analytics), Scopus and other important databases. Citations are available in PubMed and full-text are archived in PubMed Central. Manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision provided to authors approximately 13.7 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 5.8 days (median values for papers published in 2018).

Dear ASPS members,

An inquiry has been launched by the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources.

We think that this topic is of particular interest to members of ASPS and as such we are preparing a submission collectively. This will be led by Dr Tracey Cuin (UTAS) and Dr Mike Haydon (UoM).

The link information for the inquiry can be found here and submissions close on Monday the 14^th of October. (https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Standing_Committee_on_Agriculture_and_Water_Resources/Agriculturegrowth)

Please respond to the ASPS secretary Vanessa Melino (vanessa.melino@unimelb.edu.au) with your suggestions of key priorities for plant/agricultural sciences in relation to the terms of reference: “The Committee will inquire into and report on, the opportunities and impediments to the primary production sectors realising their ambition to achieve a combined $100 billion value of production by 2030.”

Please send your comments by Monday 30^th of September.

Kind Regards,

Professor Kathleen Soole

President – Australian Society of Plant Scientists (www.asps.org.au)

Janet: In Feb 2018 I represented ASPS at Science meets Parlianment. It was a whirlwind 2 days with plenty of networking, seminars, workshops, meetings and photo opportunities.

The first day was spent at the National Gallery where we heard from Dr Cathy Foley, CSIRO Chief Scientist who highlighted the responsibility we have to ensure our elected leaders have the opportunity to access our expertise. Science and technology effect the available solutions. Dr Foley also shared advice on how to hone your pitch and shape the discussions we would be having the following day with members of parliament.

The next morning we made our way through security at Parliament House and saw “Chuck the shrimp” embeded in the foyer floor. I met with Graham Perrett Federal Member for Moreton (Qld) and highlighted the significant contribution plants make to the Australian ecomomy and contibution plant science makes to current and future challenges.

Another highlight for me was seeing Question Time in person. It happened to be an exciting day as Barnaby Joyce was a day or so away from steping down as Deputy Prime Minister. So theatrical.

Mike Haydon (second from right) with Nick Champion (middle) and Rachel Burton (second from left).

Mike: I had the pleasure of representing the ASPS as a delegate at Science meets Parliament in February 2018, a major annual event organised by Science and Technology Australia. I enjoy the circus that is Australian politics and so it was quite a thrill to get some insight into the ‘Canberra bubble’. The first day was at the National Gallery of Australia and included talks, networking and panel discussions on science policy and engagement, involving our Chief Scientist, prominent science communicators and experienced lobbyists. In the evening, we attended the Gala Dinner in the Great Hall in Parliament House, where we mixed with MPs and were addressed by the then Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten, and the Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Michaelia Cash. This was before the infamous whiteboard incident and subsequent controversies.

On day two we attended Parliament House. There was a program of presentations from parliamentary science advocates including Kim Carr, Adam Bandt, Karen Andrews and Richard Marles, each making promises about supporting science. The major feature of SmP is the opportunity to meet with Parliamentarians in small groups. Together with Rachel Burton, I spent a relaxed 30 minutes with Nick Champion, the Assistant Shadow Minister for Science. We enjoyed lunch at the National Press Club, during which we were passionately addressed by Emma Johnson, the Presidentof STA, about the importance of supporting Australian science. In the afternoon, we were entertained by the interrogation of Barnaby Joyce during Question Time over his living arrangements.

I greatly valued the opportunity to attend SmP on behalf of ASPS. It provided a new perspective on how to contribute to science policy, presented novel networking opportunities and was a great experience to be inside The House.

To finish, have a look at #tsbakeoff and @TSCommissioner for Australia’s threatened species of plants and animals.

Hello ASPS members,

We’d like to draw you attention to the Symposium celebrating Barry Osmond: Reflections in a Flash which will be held Sept 12th and 13th at ANU. Registration and further information can be found on the ASPS events page HERE.

The ASPS2019 draft timetable is now available HERE or on the ASPS2019 website HERE.