Science Technology Australia DION PRETORIUS COMMUNICATIONS AND POLICY

Science & Technology Australia DION PRETORIUS COMMUNICATIONS AND POLICY MANAGER

Science & Technology Australia • Originally FASTS, established in 1985 – remained bipartisan ad a-political for 30+ years • We now have 80+ member organisations, connected to ~70, 000 STEM professionals across Australia • You may be familiar with some of our programs: • Science meets Parliament • Superstars of STEM • Parliamentary Friends of Science • Annual survey of remuneration with Professionals Australia Image courtesy of European Space Agency

Member workshops and benefits • Access to our events and programs – Science meets Parliament, Science meets Business, Superstars of STEM, STEM Ambassadors • Member workshop – latest in Brisbane, covering training and advice in communications, governance, finance and commercialisation. • Associations and Societies review – examining membership structure, EDI, growth, programs and leadership • Discounts for things like our Super STEM Communicator Workshops • Member benefit partners – with discounts on services and support in communications, governance, car hire and accommodation, accounting, commercialisation support and more. Image courtesy of Groman 123

Advocacy and Policy • Science meets Parliament • Parliamentary Friends of Science • Science meets Policymakers (video resources) • STEM Ambassadors Program (launched mid 2018) • Submissions to consultations, reviews and Inquiries • Solve it with Science campaign • Ad hoc member support

Advocacy and Policy • Involved in some historically significant STEM initiatives: • Instrumental to the establishment of the Chief Scientist role • Played a key role in the formation of the Prime Minister’s Science and Engineering Council (the pre-curser to PMSIEC and the Commonwealth Science Council) • A STA national forum on mathematics and science education supported the development of the hands-on primary school science education program, Primary Connections • A Parliamentary Friends of Science event featuring Space Science sparked Arthur Sinodinos to pursue the establishment of an Australian Space Agency • STA lobbied for reinstatement of a Minister for Science, restored in 2018

STEM Ambassador Program • 9 Ambassadors across Australia, 20 by end of 2020 • Focused on engaged Parliamentarians • Intentions to expand to all electorates • Early success: • Simon Mutch and Tim Watts MP (ARC Delays and site visit) • Candice Raeburn and Peter Khalil MP (Wills STEM group) • Applications for 2020 open at Science meets Parliament (Nov 2019) Image courtesy of European Space Agency

President and CEO Forum • Annual meeting of STEM leaders from STA member organisations • Format included speeches, roundtable discussions and networking • In 2019, it helps to reaffirm our list of priorities: • A whole-of-government plan for science and technology • A strategy to equip the future Australian workforce with STEM skills • Strong, balanced investment in both fundamental and applied research • A commitment to creating policy across all portfolios that is informed by the best available evidence Image courtesy of National Computation Infrastructure Australia

STA in 2019 • Last FY – 13 submissions with 75% hit rate • Assisted members to make impact: • Australian Centre for Robotic Vision (QUT) and Robotic Vision Roadmap • Australian Cardiovascular Alliance (ACv. A) and the MRFF • Ecological Society of Australia and their election statement • Australian Society for Fish Biology, introductions and contacts for Parliamentarian invites

Ways to contribute as ACDICT (beyond STA) • Submissions to consultations and inquiries • Public statements regarding policy initiatives or political decision making • Engaging State and Federal Parliamentarians and decision makers: • Invitations to attend or speak at events • Face to face meetings (electorate or Canberra) • Connect with relevant staff to broaden the relationship • Activity through social media or traditional media Image courtesy of Groman 123

DION PRETORIUS – 0418 281 777 – dion. pretorius@sta. org. au Science & Technology Australia