Leading marine scientist and broadcaster Professor Emma Johnston has become President of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics sector’s peak body, Science & Technology Australia (STA).
Professor Johnston was confirmed as President at the STA annual general meeting in Sydney today, taking on the role from outgoing President Emeritus Professor Jim Piper AO. A leading marine ecotoxicologist, Professor Johnston is also Dean of Science at the University of NSW, a board member for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and co-presenter of the Foxtel/BBC television series, Coast Australia.
“There is so much unrealised potential in Australian science and technology: Science & Technology Australia will work tirelessly to ensure that knowledge creation and application are at the forefront of Australia’s future economy,” Professor Johnston said.
“I’m also proud of our strategy to support and enhance a diverse and inclusive workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – that makes the most of Australia’s genuine breadth of passion, creativity, and brainpower.”
Also elected to STA’s Executive today were:
- Vice President, Griffith University geneticist Dr Jeremy Brownlie
- Treasurer, Macquarie University optical physicist Professor Judith Dawes
- Early Career Representative, University of Adelaide Ecologist Dr Zoe Doubleday
- Ordinary Member Representative, Science Communicator and Broadcaster Tanya Ha
They join existing Executive team members, UNSW geneticist Dr Darren Saunders (Secretary), physicist and head of CSIRO Manufacturing Dr Cathy Foley (Policy Chair) and astrophysicist from Swinburne University, Associate Professor Alan Duffy (Early-Career Representative).
“We have an outstanding leadership team to take us to the next federal election, where we will be unabashed about promoting the value of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” Professor Johnston said.
“We will work hard to secure better job security for scientists and technologists, to see them better resourced to achieve great things, and highlight the vital need for basic research in Australia to underpin the commercialisation of our ideas.”
Professor Johnston thanked Professor Piper, along with other outgoing members of the Executive, Mr Stephen Horn and Dr Francine Marques.
