Event details
As trust in science and the state declines, Australia’s continued future as an advanced, democratic and inclusive society, which values social justice and sustainability, is at risk.
An exciting group of eminent scientists, public intellectuals, policy makers, research funders, innovators and academics discuss key aspects of Australia’s knowledge crisis in a series of four virtual panel discussions followed by a roundtable discussion.
Program
Science and the Political Imagination in Australia: 12.30–2.30pm Wednesday 11 August
The pursuit of scientific research and the kinds of knowledge produced is heavily dependent on government policies which define what counts as ‘science’ and how science is to be funded, produced, consumed and measured. How is science conceptualised in the Australian political imaginary? How are these ideas shaped? How is society imagined? What are the consequences of the particular narratives of science that prevail in the Australian political economy?
Moderator
Robert O'Connor, Public Policy Specialist, Regional Engagement and Government Relations, Charles Sturt University
Panel
Raewyn Connell, Professor Emerita, University of Sydney
Mark Hutchinson, President Elect, Science and Technology Australia (STA); Director, Centre for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, University of Adelaide
Anna-Maria Arabia, Chief Executive, Australian Academy of Science
Mark Rose, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Strategy and Innovation, Deakin University
Trust in Science: Expertise and the Informed Public: 3–5pm Wednesday 11 August
In modern democracies, a strong and independent scientific culture is an essential safeguard against epistemological and political anarchy. While citizens are being invited to ‘participate’ and to ‘engage’ with science, society is bitterly divided on what counts as scientific evidence and how to evaluate truth claims and expertise. How can we recover public trust in science without compromising the scepticism that is essential for good science? How can the rise of conspiracy theories and anti-science sentiments be stemmed?
Moderator
Sujatha Raman, Director of Research, Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS), Australian National University
Panel
Brian Schmidt, Vice-Chancellor, Australian National University
Alexandra Roginski, Research Fellow, Alfred Deakin Institute, Deakin University
John Ross, Asia-Pacific Editor, Times Higher Education
Catherine Bennett, Chair in Epidemiology, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University
The Great Divide and Its Consequences: STEM and HASS in Australia: 12.30–2.30pm Thursday 12 August
In Australia, ‘science’ is understood as limited to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), rather than meaning systematic knowledge per se across all disciplines. As a result, Australia’s research priorities are heavily skewed towards STEM sciences. Recent policies have driven the wedge between humanities and social sciences (HASS) and STEM even deeper. What are the implications of this distinction and unevenness between the sciences? Can this division ultimately damage Australian society? How can the relationship be mediated productively?
Moderator
Fazal Rizvi, Professor Emeritus, University of Melbourne
Panel
Joy Damousi, Director, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University
Chennupati Jagadish, Distinguished Professor of Physics, Australian National University
Deborah Lupton, Leader of the Vitalities Lab and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Node of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, UNSW Sydney
Glenn Withers, Professor of Economics, Australian National University
Innovation, Industry, Philanthropy and the Academy: 3–5pm Thursday 12 August
The extent and conditions of funding can have profound effects on the types of research undertaken, the questions investigated, the security of research-based jobs, and indeed the viability of certain disciplines and research strands in Australian universities. How are Australian scientists deciding what to investigate? If science is ultimately for the benefit of society, how is society understood? How do industries, philanthropic organisations, NGOs, and other non-state actors participate in directing the course of research?
Moderator
Jane den Hollander, Former Vice-Chancellor, Deakin University
Panel
Jane O' Dwyer, CEO, Cooperative Research Centres Association
Craig Connelly, CEO, Ian Potter Foundation
Matthew Dingle, Managing Director, Form Flow
Matthew Barnett, Director, Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University
Tamson Pietsch, Director of the Australian Centre for Public History, University of Technology Sydney
Science, Society and the Australian State: Key Issues: 3–5pm Friday 13 August
In this roundtable discussion, the moderators of the four panels and the organisers of this series will bring together the discussions across the four panels and tease out both the most pressing issues to be tackled, and the most promising ideas for addressing the knowledge crisis.
Moderators
Fazal Rizvi, Professor Emeritus, University of Melbourne
Sujatha Raman, Director of Research, Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS), Australian National University
Robert O'Connor, Public Policy Specialist, Regional Engagement and Government Relations, Charles Sturt University
Jane den Hollander, Former Vice-Chancellor, Deakin University
Convenors
This symposium is convened by:
Radhika Gorur, Associate Professor of Education, Deakin University, Jill Blackmore, Alfred Deakin Professor, Deakin University, Julie Rowlands, Associate Professor of Education, Deakin University and Carina Truyts, Science and Society Network, Deakin University.
Radhika Gorur, Associate Professor of Education, Deakin University
Jill Blackmore, Alfred Deakin Professor, Deakin University
Julie Rowlands, Associate Professor of Education, Deakin University
Carina Truyts, Science and Society Network Coordinator, Deakin University