Research Fellow Dr Eliezer Estrecho (ANU)
FLEET had four researchers at STA’s annual Science Meets Parliament, which was fully online in 2021, other than regional gala dinners.
Participants heard from a diverse mix of Australia’s top scientists, including Chief Scientist Cathy Foley and Chief Defence Scientist Tanya Monro.
FLEET’s four ECR delegates—Eli Estrecho (ANU), Peggy (Qi) Zhang (UNSW), Gary Beane (Monash) and Harley Scammell (UNSW)—were introduced to the machinery of government, received pitch and writing/communication training, and discussed research commercialisation and how to work with a mentor.
FLEET was a silver sponsor of this year’s Science Meets Parliament.
Research Fellow Dr Peggy (Qi) Zhang (UNSW)
“SMP was great!” says UNSW postdoc Dr Harley Scammell.” Thanks FLEET for hooking me up with that one. The workshop on ‘How to Marie Kondo your writing’ was an absolute winner for me. I needed it.”
“I think I learned a lot from SMP, both from the speakers and participants,” says ANU postdoc Dr Eli Estrecho. “The discussions were informative, especially for a physicist like me who has never thought about public policy. It was great hearing from Chief Scientists and Science Advisors from state, federal and foreign (Singapore, NZ, and Canada) governments.
“I also interacted with fellow participants working outside academia, e.g. consultancies, CSIRO and Defence Science. It was enriching to know about their work and how they do their science,” says Eli.
After the event, the STA arranged interviews with delegates local MPs, which Harley described as “a candid conversation and quite fun.”
Research Fellow Dr Gary Beane (Monash)
Eli Estrecho agreed, saying “My interview with Trent Zimmerman (MP North Sydney) was great. He was prepared, taking notes and very interactive. He seems to know what he is talking about and familiar with data centres in his electorate so I really didn’t have to explain everything.”
From Misha Schubert (CEO, Science & Technology Australia): “Over the past week, it’s also been a privilege to join some of the many meetings between our delegates and Parliamentarians. Each time, it’s an inspiration to hear our STEM experts speak with passion and deep expertise in their fields. And it’s terrific to see the engagement of so many Ministers, Shadow Ministers, MPs and Senators with the possibilities of STEM.”
In talking to MPs and policymakers, and in perfecting their research ‘pitch’, Centre members put into action communication skills that have been keenly honed by the Centre’s significant schools’ outreach programs.
Research Fellow Dr Harley Scammell (UNSW)
“Our experience doing science-outreach to schoolkids provides the opportunity for us to think and practice how to explain science to the public,” explains UNSW postdoc Dr Peggy Zhang. “Also, we can feel some responsibility as a scientist in public science education.”
“Schools outreach experiences have helped me get the right tone for my research pitch to MPs and policymakers,” says Harley Scammel. “For example, I definitely stole a couple sentences and examples from what we’d presented a few years back at Scots College in Sydney.”
Links:
- Dr Cathy Foley address as Australia’s Chief Scientist, National Press Club of Australia
- Canberra Times report on Dr Foley’s call for researchers to use the lessons from tackling COVID for other issues facing the country
- Australian Financial Review through science we can boost industry
- West Australian reimagining a ‘nuclear future in Australia’
- Dr Daniel Mulino MP the value of Science Meets Parliament
- Misha Schubert (STA) speaking to Robyn Williams on ABC Science Show