Conference Series Application Information
The Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering are inviting proposals for conferences to be held in Australia between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011.
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering will support a conference that promotes areas of applied science and technology including the transfer of science and technology to industry.
An application form needs to be completed and submitted to either the Australian Academy of Science or the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. Further information is available from:
| Mrs Elizabeth Meier Manager – International Linkages Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering Email: elizabeth.meier@atse.org.au Phone: 03 9864 0904 |
Ms Nancy Pritchard Manager – International Programs Australian Academy of Science Email: ia@science.org.au Phone: 02 6201 9411 |
Closing date is Friday 12 March 2010.
Step 1
Read the guidelines
Step 2
Apply to ATSE here
Apply to AAS here
GUIDELINES
Subject areas and selection
The Conference Management Group will test proposed topics against the specific objectives by the Australian Government’s International Science Linkages – Science Academies Program, including:
- the extent to which the conference contributes to the industrially or socially beneficial transfer of science in support of the economic well-being of Australia;
- the scope and breadth of meaningful participation of stakeholder groups in addition to the scientific community;
- the clarity with which the theme places itself within the Australian innovation system;
- the extent to which the theme promotes collaboration and attracts R&D investment to Australia;
- the potential for an increase in take up of leading-edge R & D;
- the attractiveness of the theme to Australian industry, particularly SMEs;
- the extent to which there is scope for strategic alliances between Australian and overseas researchers and industry;
- the potential for increased participation by Australians in global science and research; and
- scientific merit and timeliness.
A Sir Mark Oliphant Conference must be a stand-alone event and not be part of an existing series.
It must have its own identity and cover thematic areas now emerging as high priorities, such as sustainability, biotechnology, nanoscale material science, and information and communication technology. These and other thematic areas offer significant scope for selecting relevant conference subject areas.
These would reflect the specific theme, but a representative participation of about 100-200 people for a conference over some 3 to 4 days might be expected, determined by format and coverage. Further, it is expected that while called “conferences”, some may take the form of workshops if that is the preferred way to achieve the objectives for the particular emerging area. Satellite workshops/tutorial sessions are among the options. It is expected that attendees will include high profile international and national speakers and selected early career researchers. The international contributors should be encouraged to visit relevant institutes in Australia in addition to attending the Conference.
The Management Group will select the topics and appoint convenors. The Conference Convenor is responsible for:
- identifying keynote speakers;
- canvassing international and Australian participants;
- venue and format selection;
- content management; and
- conducting the conference through appointed chairs or facilitators; and
- arranging appropriate itineraries for overseas visitors.
The Management Group, in collaboration with the Convenor, is responsible for:
- administration and accountability for the program finances;
- reporting against the Program Performance Indicators, including the conduct of post conference surveys; and
- publication of conference proceedings, using CD, web, or other media, under the banner of the ‘Sir Mark Oliphant Conferences - International Frontiers of Science and Technology’.
- the extent of pre and post-conference publicity and publication activity as evidenced by expressions of interest received to participate in the conference and circulation of proceedings, whether by CD/web/hardcopy;
- evident collaboration and the take-up of initiatives raised during the conference and attributable to it;
- increase in science and technology activity arising from participation in the conferences;
- the cost of administration and conference management;
- in-kind contributions from the Academies;
- sponsorship funds leveraged from state governments, industry, and other sources;
- conference fees received;
- the number of overseas experts giving presentations;
- the diversity of Australian and overseas attendees, disaggregated by category such as industry or public/private sector research organisation and science discipline;
- site visits made by overseas participants while in Australia;
- the number of joint publications and joint patents;
- the number of collaborative projects arising out of the conferences;
- the number of strategic alliances with overseas science, technology, and industry established or maintained through participation in the conferences;
- the level of involvement of industry in the conference
- the impact of the conference on Australian industry; and
- adherence to the conference budget.
The two successful Sir Mark Oliphant Conferences will be managed on behalf of the Australia Government, one by the Australian Academy of Science and one by Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. Up to $90,000 will be made available for each conference to be held in Australia between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011.
Additional sponsorship may be sought to assist in mounting the conference and associated activities. It may be appropriate to seek State/Territory Government sponsorship, where the conference outcomes are seen to be of long-term economic benefit to the State/Territory in which the conference is conducted. Industry sponsorship may also be sought through identifying the potential commercial interests of firms working in related fields to that of the conference theme.
While the Academies may offer in-kind support to conference organisation, the specific management and other costs of conducting each conference are to be included in the conference budget. These costs include, for example, the fee for engaging professional conference organisers, venue and equipment hire, promotion, travel and accommodation for invited speakers and selected early career researchers, promotional material, registration service, recording and distributing proceedings/publications, and catering.
It is the view of the Department that it is appropriate to hold the conferences in different centres each year, e.g. venues that are in or close to particular Institutes relevant to the topics, or in sponsoring States.
The Management Group will conduct post conference follow-up to assess the conference as required by provisions of the Scheme. Proposers should take the following short-term and long-term performance criteria into account when planning their conferences:
