Celebrating Science Meets Parliament's silver jubilee

Over two days and four spectacular venues, Science Meets Parliament 2025 brought together parliamentarians from across the political spectrum and STEM professionals of all disciplines for a silver jubilee celebration of 25 years of Science Meets Parliament.

We saw 397 delegates attend – the largest number of in-person delegates ever – with 55 per cent of delegates being women, 31% early- to mid-career researchers and 3 per cent First Nations STEM professionals.

In addition to our 397 delegates, more than 69 Parliamentarians participated in 68 meetings, underscoring that STEM expertise is essential to shaping national policy. A record-breaking 500 people attended the 25th anniversary gala dinner to celebrate science with a night at the National Museum of Australia.

A special thanks to the First Nations panellists and leaders for their invaluable insights, and Ngunnawal custodian Serena Williams and the Yukkumbruk Dreaming dancers who welcomed us to Country.

A huge thank you to all the delegates, speakers/panellists, parliamentarians, venue staff, our Superstars of STEM and the exceptional CSIRO volunteers who made this event the most successful yet! Your passion, expertise, and dedication to science in service of the nation is inspiring.

We had more than 60 speakers, including scientists, parliamentarians, and some of Australia’s best science communicators and changemakers. Our speakers covered a broad range of topics across 12 sessions. They included sessions on science and evidence in public policy, putting First Nations communities at the centre, and how to tell your science stories in the media. Over 59 per cent of our speakers were women, 15 per cent identifying as First Nations persons, and 16 per cent identifying as CALD.

The spectacular Gala Dinner at the National Museum of Australia, saw speeches by the Governor-General – Her Excellency the Hon Sam Mostyn AC, Minister for Industry and Science Hon Ed Husic MP, Australia’s Chief Scientist Emeritus Professor Tony Haymet, and Shadow Minister for Science Senator Claire Chandler.

A sincere thank you to all MPs and Senators, including Minister Husic and Shadow Minister Chandler, for their generosity in taking meetings with our STEM professionals during a busy sitting week.

In addition to the many parliamentarians who showed their support for #SMP2025 by taking part in the program, SMP delegates were present in the House of Representatives gallery on Day 2 of the event when Speaker of the House Milton Dick welcomed them to question time and noted the 25th year of Science Meets Parliament.

Here’s to another 25 years of championing science in Parliament! We look forward to seeing you all at #SMP2026.

A huge congratulations to the Science & Technology Australia staff team for pulling off such a fantastic event – the logistics, the moving parts, the people, the jam-packed program, the list goes on. Thanks to Dr Sandra Gardam, Lucy Guest, Dr Sarah Tynan, Martyn Pearce, Jodie Haigh, Tristan Scotcher, Carly Davey, Hari Konchada, Evelyn Fetterplace, Shannon Wong and Louise Fleck. And a big thanks to STA CEO Ryan Winn and STA President Sharath Sriram and the rest of the STA executive team, STA President-Elect Jas Chambers, Mark Stickells AM, Professor Chris Matthews, Dr Kathy Nicholson, Dr Lila Landowski, Dr Jiao Jiao Li, Professor Stephen Rodda, Professor Renae Ryan, and Maria Di Gregorio – for all your support of the STA staff team and this event.

A massive thanks to all the Science Meets Parliament Partners who made this event possible, including Foundation Partner – Inspiring Australia.

Science Meets Parliament 2025 is supported by Inspiring Australia – An Australian Government Initiative.

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