FLEET/RMIT PhD candidate Yik Kheng (centre) meeting MP Julian Hill (lower right) with other delegates
FLEET had a bumper crop of seven researchers at STA’s annual Science Meets Parliament (February 2022).
Participants heard from some of Australia’s top scientists and science/technology policymakers, as well as connecting with other ECRs.
FLEET’s seven ECR delegates—Yik Kheng (RMIT), Mohannad Mayyas (UNSW), Hong Liu (Monash), Krittika Kumar (UNSW), Matt Gebert (Monash), Peggy Schoenherr (UNSW) and Bernard Field (Monash)—were introduced to the machinery of government, learned how to get their science into media, how to write clearly, and how public policymaking works with regards to science.
“Science Meets Parliament provided me with a more expansive view of science’s place in society,” says Monash PhD candidate Bernard Field. “It was good to see them putting importance on fundamental research as well as applications-based research. The ‘How to Marie Kondo your writing’ workshop was also good, providing practical writing tips in bite-sized chunks.”
Participants had the opportunity to meet MPs in small groups, with Bernard saying that in his positive meeting with parliamentarian Terry Young (MP for Longman in Queensland) they discussed the importance of science in developing the clean technologies of the future and the need for a steady pipeline of science students to support this.
Peggy Schoenherr met Senator Louise Pratt (WA) and Yik Kheng met MP Julian Hill (Port Phillip, Victoria).
MP Julian Hill asked researchers about personal challenges in their careers,” explains Yik. “He was also interested in translation technology, ie is there something in between fundamental research and commercialisation, and does it take a special skillset. We also talked about how ‘casualisation’ in academia affects researchers’ career options.”
“All in all, it was quite an interesting meeting and a great experience. Thanks FLEET for giving me the opportunity to participate in this!”
SmP delegates came from all areas of science and engineering
STA’s Science meets Parliament is a profoundly effective vehicle for deep STEM engagement with the nation’s decision-makers. In 2022, over 500 delegates and 60 Parliamentarians attended the 5-day online event (28 Feb–4 March), hearing knowledge and insights from 68 speakers and presenters. Feedback from delegates and Parliamentarians was extremely amazing positive, with
- 93% of delegates saying they would recommend Science meets Parliament to a colleague
- 76% improving their communications skills, and
- 72% saying they would be more likely to reach out to Parliamentarians again.
This year, keynote sessions featured Nobel Laureate Prof Peter Doherty, the BBC’s Brian Cox in conversation with Wiradjuri Astronomer Kirsten Banks, and Ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos. SmP22 was delivered via the OnAir conference portal, giving delegates access to live sessions, live Q&A with with session panels, and discussion forum interaction with other delegates.
FLEET was a silver sponsor of this year’s Science Meets Parliament.