[Aqualist] Update from Science and Technology Australia (STA)

Lynda Petherick lynda.petherick at vuw.ac.nz
Tue Jul 28 13:38:43 AEST 2020 

Kia ora koutou

Apologies for the bulk emails from me today... I am catching up after being on leave. This is the last one! The below might be of interest to you, especially those working in Australia.

Some key points (in my opinion) are:

  *   STEM jobs are now at greater risk as hundreds more job losses start to be announced at universities across Australia;
  *   Positive promotion of indigenous STEM;

*         The long-awaited Australian & New Zealand Standard Research Classifications<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abs.gov.au%2Fausstats%2Fabs%40.nsf%2Fmf%2F1297.0%3FOpenDocument&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651876454&sdata=YYwYKhxLtZP%2FxhCgoLy7pDwHF%2BnOWeClBT1Ke0Vd7vo%3D&reserved=0> review has been released;
*         TEQSA released a good practice note<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.teqsa.gov.au%2Flatest-news%2Fpublications%2Fgood-practice-note-preventing-and-responding-sexual-assault-and-sexual&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651906438&sdata=E2XyH9mNYhVtKV6nN%2B9UmFV711Z1IOdIvUwp7z1vy2A%3D&reserved=0> on preventing and responding to sexual assault and harassment in higher education settings;
*         A University of Sydney<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.researchsquare.com%2Farticle%2Frs-36330%2Fv2&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651916428&sdata=A6n%2BKnVOo%2BD4Z0Vo95ZzkJ6eWvZ967zj4txDDwaCrM8%3D&reserved=0> study found almost 45% of PhD students are considering leaving their PhD for financial reasons;

  *   The Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bnhcrc.com.au%2Fhazardnotes%2F75&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651926426&sdata=rFVCa9RrVNWAnqw9gsCiZvoxWSSJtwIN%2BwG7yUAbtBs%3D&reserved=0> has released its 2020-21 bushfire season outlook.
  *   Applications to join "Superstars of STEM" open August 4th. More details to come.

Cheers
Lynda



The heartbreaking scale of this pandemic's toll on jobs continues. Yesterday's Australian Bureau of Statistics figures revealed almost one million Australians are now out of work<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.9news.com.au%2Fnational%2Funemployment-rate-in-australia-rises-in-june%2Fc2cd810d-3c3b-4489-913d-ef6630c7b8bf&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651866460&sdata=RwdmWYkINCmPemXwTCCn2NaARL2%2BvltzdDIs9SHuBb4%3D&reserved=0>. And the nation's official unemployment rate is now at a two-decade high<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2020-07-16%2Funemployment-jobs-coronavirus-june-2020-abs%2F12460890&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651866460&sdata=6fD7KszOKJ9o1SZgUfDjsCwVEh4lHn6qQ6KKSqnzVIs%3D&reserved=0> - reaching 7.4 per cent in June - despite the creation of more than 210,000 jobs in June.

In a media release this morning, STA has warned jobs in the science, technology, engineering and maths workforce are now at greater risk<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fscienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au%2Fstem-jobs-at-risk-without-a-jobkeeper-lifeline-for-unis%2F&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651876454&sdata=MSH3Vvue87hUpuTi4Vv7Zz66BnoOv3AVlyg%2BicN0RrQ%3D&reserved=0> as hundreds more job losses start to be announced at universities across the country. We have asked the Australian Government to take a fresh look at the damage being inflicted by the pandemic on our research workforce and consider again a JobKeeper lifeline for universities and a one-off boost to the Research Training Program to help keep postgraduate research students employed.

We also continue to engage closely with the proposed changes to higher education funding. The two groups of Vice-Chancellors working with Government on the industry linkages fund and research funding both met for the first time this week. STA will continue to draw the views of our membership into consultation processes.

STA's Board also met this week. It was heartening to see our clusters report on work by many member societies to deepen Indigenous partnerships, and promote Indigenous STEM knowledge. Work towards STA's inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan is also well advanced. Our draft RAP has now been lodged with Reconciliation Australia for feedback. We thank our RAP working group which includes the leadership of STA's Indigenous member associations - Quandamooka First Nations man Professor Chris Matthews of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Alliance and Kamilaroi man and Deadly Science founder Corey Tutt - for their leadership and expertise in this important work.

Our thanks to each of you for your membership renewals in recent weeks. Our members are the lifeblood of STA and we are here to support you through these challenging times.

Until next time,

Misha Schubert
CEO, Science & Technology Australia

NEW REPORTS AND POLICY CHANGES OF INTEREST TO STA MEMBERS

  *   The long-awaited Australian & New Zealand Standard Research Classifications<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abs.gov.au%2Fausstats%2Fabs%40.nsf%2Fmf%2F1297.0%3FOpenDocument&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651876454&sdata=YYwYKhxLtZP%2FxhCgoLy7pDwHF%2BnOWeClBT1Ke0Vd7vo%3D&reserved=0> review has been released;
  *   Education Minister Dan Tehan announced two working groups on sustainable research funding<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fministers.dese.gov.au%2Ftehan%2Fresearch-sustainability-working-group&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651886450&sdata=gppW5M66r4usSynoGC6ozTwV46Uujis8XODOgoFjNt4%3D&reserved=0> and an Industry Linkages Fund<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fministers.dese.gov.au%2Ftehan%2Fnational-priorities-and-industry-linkage-fund-working-group&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651886450&sdata=Tk9IY1cdLYlreWOhIAo67qSM7fl2ckuPEYdN1aDaG6w%3D&reserved=0>;
  *   The Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet released a research report into Vocational Education and Training<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pmc.gov.au%2Fresource-centre%2Fdomestic-policy%2Fvocational-education-and-training-review-research-report&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651896443&sdata=UNE7r0GmDy3H2mUBo1a7Q2awBGle8Akpy75ljhNPzMo%3D&reserved=0>;
  *   The Public Policy Forum<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fppforum.ca%2Fpublications%2Fscience-disinformation-in-a-time-of-pandemic%2F&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651896443&sdata=9O7D837BEGV52IXN8Jl8CqIcz1saMRHIMx7YNdanOdA%3D&reserved=0> has released a report on science disinformation in the time of the pandemic;
  *   The UK has released its research & development<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fuk-research-and-development-roadmap%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3TNy-8c7gDyUCL3c2s0nzr7sPGj2-HmfByv8H4PVqwOpxqgq2qUXSGqrw&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651906438&sdata=%2FOQMHbc2g93silWXb5qYCnc5o53zlJyYuWfSoyli61I%3D&reserved=0> roadmap;
  *   TEQSA released a good practice note<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.teqsa.gov.au%2Flatest-news%2Fpublications%2Fgood-practice-note-preventing-and-responding-sexual-assault-and-sexual&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651906438&sdata=E2XyH9mNYhVtKV6nN%2B9UmFV711Z1IOdIvUwp7z1vy2A%3D&reserved=0> on preventing and responding to sexual assault and harassment in higher education settings;
  *   The Australian National Audit Office reported Referrals, Assessments and Approvals of Controlled Actions under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anao.gov.au%2Fwork%2Fperformance-audit%2Freferrals-assessments-and-approvals-controlled-actions-under-the-epbc-act&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651906438&sdata=JZiFj9St1s4SLQLp0TUq21n%2BEqsRLIb2z47uIlAohKs%3D&reserved=0>;
  *   A University of Sydney<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.researchsquare.com%2Farticle%2Frs-36330%2Fv2&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651916428&sdata=A6n%2BKnVOo%2BD4Z0Vo95ZzkJ6eWvZ967zj4txDDwaCrM8%3D&reserved=0> study found almost 45% of PhD students are considering leaving their PhD for financial reasons;
  *   The Australian Education Union<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aeufederal.org.au%2Fnews-media%2Fmedia-releases%2F2020%2Fjul%2F090720&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651916428&sdata=M0p487qQDKvDzhTNgL7KPw8o7y9J2XvhqUSNLERpMwA%3D&reserved=0> has released its survey into the state of the VET/TAFE sector; and
  *   The Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bnhcrc.com.au%2Fhazardnotes%2F75&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651926426&sdata=rFVCa9RrVNWAnqw9gsCiZvoxWSSJtwIN%2BwG7yUAbtBs%3D&reserved=0> has released its 2020-21 bushfire season outlook.
Further information: Peter Derbyshire, STA Policy Manager - peter.derbyshire at sta.org.au<mailto:peter.derbyshire at sta.org.au>

STA WEBINAR 'THE POLICY PLAYBOOK - HOW TO NAVIGATE POLICY ADVOCACY WISELY AND WELL'

Keen to deepen your understanding of how you can shape policy settings? Join STA and @ATSE_au on 30 July for this terrific webinar: The Policy Playbook. We'll share tips on how policy processes work, how to build relationships and offer expertise, and how to maximise your effectiveness in policy advocacy.
STA member registration fee: $55. Register here<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fscienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au%2Fevent%2Fthe-policy-playbook-how-to-navigate-policy-advocacy-wisely-and-well%2F&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651926426&sdata=C6zDRZQtkPOq2srhg4LXLGzkZTOTC7jwF7CnihDsFis%3D&reserved=0>.

Further information: Mitchell Piercey, STA Membership Manager - mitchell.piercey at sta.org.au<mailto:mitchell.piercey at sta.org.au>

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGES: BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES

Join the launch of new Indigenous-led best-practice guidelines on working with Indigenous knowledge to look after land and sea country. The work draws on insights from over 100 Indigenous people and organisations. It is supported by NAILSMA and CSIRO, and funded by the Northern Australia Hub of the Australian Government's National Environmental Science Program (NESP). Register here<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fevents.csiro.au%2FEvents%2F2020%2FJuly%2F10%2FOur-Knowledge-Our-Way-Launch&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651926426&sdata=JFp1rmppR6Rb2XxJxCWLb9%2FSKhIWf17j9Cfo4HppHTA%3D&reserved=0>.

MEMBER EVENTS

  *   Pawsey Supercomputing Centre | Introducing Supercomputing July 20 - Part 1<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpawsey.org.au%2Fevent%2Fusing-supercomputers-part-1-90-minutes%2F&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651936423&sdata=UkjOTDmbcSHyh2RUnnA%2BkuddC%2FY3hoRizZs%2B4kLrhmo%3D&reserved=0> / July 27 Part 2<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpawsey.org.au%2Fevent%2Fusing-supercomputers-part-2-90-minutes%2F&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651936423&sdata=W6ahPAztHPEkF7Xpj6NhIqNXGI9TbDW0lOC0%2FrCnYsA%3D&reserved=0>
  *   Exciton Science 'Solar Cell Challenge<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scienceweek.net.au%2Fevent%2Fsolar-cell-challenge%2F&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651946413&sdata=yc%2B9p1MnrwcTrniGKbeBph21gjtjj2GoMo%2FwyDJZ64M%3D&reserved=0>' | 24 July - 30 October (part of National Science Week)
  *   RACI Career Development Program's new intensive training Short Course and Workshop<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fraci.org.au%2FRACI%2FWeb%2FEvent_Display.aspx%3FEventKey%3DMNT1061&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651946413&sdata=ADoZdb9cC%2Fxig%2Fvj%2Fwz%2FPjKJaRjxEzJ0p1k%2F%2F0NC3SQ%3D&reserved=0> - 22 August
  *   Australian Psychological Society are offering a free course on 'Applied Mental Health in Residential Aged Care: Practical Program for Clinicians<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.psychology.org.au%2FEvent%2F21490%3Fview%3Dtrue&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651956405&sdata=OrxhWnVdzDSyFCfl%2FxmPRK%2B4GNtEamlaILPYl9hMDrA%3D&reserved=0> '. Available until 30 December.
Lots of exciting events are scheduled for National Science Week (August 15-22). For events and to get involved: here<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scienceweek.net.au%2F&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651956405&sdata=hHL%2BM4G6iqt3DtBYfrEW6fPD5gNPSTZ549Q9zf4QFE4%3D&reserved=0> .

Want us to include your event in the next update? Contact Mitchell Piercey, Events & Membership Manager - mitchell.piercey at sta.org.au<mailto:mitchell.piercey at sta.org.au>

STA BENEFITS PARTNER GEMAKER LAUNCHES NEW COMMERCIALISATION FUNDING DATABASE

STA partner gemaker has launched a free commercialisation funding database. It lists over 80 grants/awards which support commercialisation and innovation.
Details: here<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gemaker.com.au%2Ffind-funding%2F&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651956405&sdata=xRjG3Kv5goTidPgklIUc%2B68TTkeNCnsSwZi%2BnG1fLgY%3D&reserved=0>.

STA'S SUPERSTARS OF STEM: APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 4

Applications for our next cohort of Superstars of STEM will open on Tuesday August 4. Materials will be sent to STA member societies in late July to help you promote this incredible opportunity to your members and through your professional networks across the STEM sector.

Further information: Misha Schubert, STA CEO - ceo at sta.org.au<mailto:ceo at sta.org.au>

AFR 'FUTURE BRIEFING' SERIES WEBCAST

The second event in this four part series 'Distributed Workforce', is FREE for the first 200 STA members! It will look at disruptions to work, what's next for the distributed workforce, and the next wave of changes in technology for dispersed work teams.

Date: Tuesday July 21, 2020
To register:   https://webcast.afr.com/futurebriefings/register<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwebcast.afr.com%2Ffuturebriefings%2Fregister&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651966402&sdata=1yIcALqgaYVdYCeWjeV%2FARyMo15SrS4IWMktt8yCRL8%3D&reserved=0>
Code: AFR57@
Agenda: www.afrfuturebriefings.com.au<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.afrfuturebriefings.com.au%2F&data=02%7C01%7Clynda.petherick%40vuw.ac.nz%7C57ea457760f1446a430f08d82a08d0c0%7Ccfe63e236951427e8683bb84dcf1d20c%7C0%7C0%7C637305564651966402&sdata=xT2tQ07fEaH3rsJ0Ag274EVwSrdbckUriL9Un6c%2B%2BF0%3D&reserved=0>

Further information: Mitchell Piercey, STA Membership Manager - mitchell.piercey at sta.org.au<mailto:mitchell.piercey at sta.org.au>

STA MEMBER STORIES

If you have a story we can promote, please get in touch with us: info at sta.org.au<mailto:info at sta.org.au>


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