Science meets Parliament 2009
As previously advised, Science meets Parliament 2009 will take place on the 17th and 18th of March, 2009.The only people who can register are those nominated by FASTS member organisations or nominated by a sponsor (eg CSIRO, ARC, NHMRC, ANSTO).
Each society is assured a minimum of two places. Some additional places will be available, particularly in areas of high demand. It is a good idea to let me know ASAP if you are likely to want more than two places.
I will provide you with a URL for your nominees to register next week and registrations will close on Friday 20th of February.
For participants, Science meets Parliament is primarily a stimulating professional development opportunity. Accordingly, we ask that you particularly encourage early and mid-career scientists to participate. As numbers are restricted and we can’t accept everyone, we do encourage you to prioritise people who have not attended before.
It is important to understand that Science meets Parliament is not intended to be a lobbying exercise in the narrow sense of lobbying for more money or a specific change in public policy. SmP is not the occasion for this type of advocacy but is an important awareness-raising activity that can assist the advocacy process. SmP is designed to show Parliamentarians how science makes a difference to their constituents and, by extension, the nation. That is, it addresses, with concrete examples, one of the most important foundation questions for all other advocacy work: What does Australia gain from the public investment in science?
SmP takes place over two days. The main features of the program are
DAY 1
Briefing day, 9.30am – 5.00pm, Tuesday 17th of March, in the Old Parliament House.
All participants are expected to attend the briefing day which includes a number of panel discussion sessions providing practical tips on engaging with Parliamentarians – dos and don’ts in meetings, how to get a clear message across, importance of follow up, the role of staff and advisors and so forth.
The briefing day also includes sessions on broader issues including
- competing rationalities of science, politics and bureaucracy,
- understanding how advocacy/influence works,
- understanding the breadth of issues with which science competes for policy attention and funding, and
- coverage of the main issues in science and research policy.
Science meets Parliament Dinner, 7.00pm for 7.30pm, Tuesday 17th March in the Great Hall, Parliament House
A prestigious dinner designed to provide for relaxed discussion between the scientists and Parliamentarians (of whom approximately 55 – 60 will be in attendance). The dinner is an extra cost but it is strongly recommended that all participants attend as the dinner can be a better opportunity to talk with Parliamentarians than the formality of a meeting (and it is a wonderful networking opportunity).
DAY 2
Meetings with Senators and Members of Parliament - Wednesday 18th March, Parliament House
Meetings commence at 8.00am and go through to 6.00pm although about 65%-70% take place in the morning. Meetings with senior advisors nearly always take place in the afternoon.
All participants in the event will have at least two appointments with Parliamentarians.
FASTS will also be presenting a number of ancillary events, including
- a televised address of the National Press Club by Minister Kim Carr on Wednesday 18th of March (Participants will be encouraged to attend unless they have meetings with Parliamentarians at that time).
FASTS will also present a number of fora/workshops at Parliament House on the day (all of which will be webcast). The program is yet to be finalised as we are waiting confirmation from Ministers/potential speakers but is likely to include
- Nanotechnology and food
- Indigenous knowledge and science
- Managing Australia’s maritime resources
- Strategic leadership of science, or
- Spillover technologies from the Square Kilometre Array (SKA)
Topics
Each year FASTS selects a range of topics for discussion and all Parliamentarians and participating scientists are asked to nominate their areas, respectively, of interest and expertise. In 2009 the nominated topics are:
Climate Change
- Climate change and statistics – understanding long-term climate change trends
- What does stabilising atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions at 450ppm really mean?
Adapting to climate change
- Impacts of climate change on human health
- Adapting agriculture to climate change
- Climate change and urban infrastructure
- Land clearing, reforestation and carbon capture
Energy
- Cleaner, more efficient fossil fuel technologies
- Renewable and low carbon emission energy
Environment
- Health of the Murray-Darling
- Environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity
- Analysing and managing bio-security risks
- Maintaining the integrity of the oceans
Public Health
- Genetic technologies – new developments in human health
- Obesity and nutrition
- Heart disease – the number one killer for men and women
Defence And Security
- Defence science and technology
Science and mathematics education
- What do scientists and mathematicians want from a national curriculum?
Manufacturing
- Green car R&D
- Developing innovative, low-carbon technologies to replace high emission products and processes
- Niche manufacturing and export of scientific instruments (eg sophisticated, cutting edge instruments for a wide range of applications including industrial process controls, environmental monitoring and medical devices).
Industry R&D
- Support for commercialising new technologies (R&D tax credits, pre-seed funding, collaboration)
FASTS are well aware that no topic list can ever be sufficiently comprehensive to list everyone’s field of interest but we hope that we capture most peoples interests in one way or another.
Costs
Registration fees are:
Registration $240
Registration Student/ECS $110
Dinner $99
Dinner student/ECS $55
Registration includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea on both days. Travel and accommodation are additional and FASTS is unable to assist with covering those fees. As accommodation in Canberra is always tight when Parliament is sitting, it is a good idea to book hotels as soon as is possible.