SCIENCE MEETS PARLIAMENT
29 JANUARY
The annual Federation of Australian Science and Technology Societies’ (FASTS) Science meets Parliament, hosted in Canberra, will take place on Tuesday 18th March and Wednesday 19th March 2008.
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) will be sending 2 delegates and is seeking expressions of interest from members to be the Union’s delegates.
This event provides a platform for scientists to discuss relevant and topical scientific issues facing Australia, as well as an opportunity to meet and develop relationships with Parliamentarians of the day. This year’s topics include:
- Managing water and drought
- Clean drinking water – waste management, desalination and public health
- Global climate change – polar and ocean science
- Impact of climate change on disease, pests and bio-security
- Impact of climate change on coastal waters, reefs and fisheries
- Environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity
- Food security and food production
- Extreme weather – fires, floods and storms
- Obesity
- The threat to human, animal and plant health of emerging antimicrobial resistance
- The critical importance of research infrastructure
- Public and private sector R&D collaboration
- Genetic technologies – getting past canola
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- Plant genetics
- Animal genetics
- Human genetics
- Environmental risks
- Nanotechnology and public safety
- Cleaner, more efficient fossil fuel technologies
- Low carbon emission and renewable energy
- Are biomass fuels really viable? Food versus fuel versus environment
- Science education – what role the Commonwealth? Expanding the responsibilities of universities and public sector research agencies
The NTEU will pay for delegates’ accommodation, flights and travel.
As such the NTEU believes this presents an ideal opportunity for early career science academics who are interested in the Union’s lobbying activities to participate in these activities.
Science meets Parliament provides an opportunity for members to develop skills in dealing with politicians and the media. Delegates will need to attend media events as required, as well as communicate to Parliamentarians the importance of research and research-related issues. A brief article about Science meets Parliament is required of delegates for publication in Advocate.
Members should send their expressions of interest, with a resume, to Alex Schlotzer by 5pm, Friday 29th February at aschlotzer@nteu.org.au or fax to (03) 9254 1915. If you have any questions please, do not hesitate in contacting Alex on (03) 9254 1910.