Member Login - Account - Logout

Science and Technology Australia
  • Home
  • About STA
    • About Us
    • Executive and governance
    • Reconciliation Action Plan
    • Policy Vision
    • Policy Wins
    • Work for us
  • News and Publications
    • Latest news
    • Submissions, reports and publications
    • 2025 STA Federal Election Priorities
  • Our Programs
    • Science Meets Parliament
    • Superstars of STEM
    • Super STEM workshops
    • STEM Ambassadors
    • Parliamentary Friends of Science
    • Science Policy Fellows Alumni
  • STA Membership
    • STA Membership
    • Our Members
    • Member How-to Guides
    • Login to member portal
    • Register for member portal
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About STA
    • About Us
    • Executive and governance
    • Reconciliation Action Plan
    • Policy Vision
    • Policy Wins
    • Work for us
  • News and Publications
    • Latest news
    • Submissions, reports and publications
    • 2025 STA Federal Election Priorities
  • Our Programs
    • Science Meets Parliament
    • Superstars of STEM
    • Super STEM workshops
    • STEM Ambassadors
    • Parliamentary Friends of Science
    • Science Policy Fellows Alumni
  • STA Membership
    • STA Membership
    • Our Members
    • Member How-to Guides
    • Login to member portal
    • Register for member portal
  • Contact
27 March 2018

Unlocking the code to the brain: Australia can hold the key

artistic rendition of a neuron-like network

The human brain is a complex system: the most sophisticated machine that science has ever encountered. For thousands of years, its workings have been locked in obscurity. Today, we are discovering just how much we have still to learn.


Some of Australia’s leading experts in brain science and technology shared their work with Australia’s decision makers as part of the Parliamentary Friends of Science forum this week.

Delivered in partnership with the Australian Academy of Science, the event coincided with ‘Brains on the Hill’ – an initiative to promote the value of a more coordinated and better funded brain science sector in Australia.

A public forum, hosted by Questacon in Canberra, saw our experts sharing insights on the way brain science was shaping new and innovative technologies; the potential applications of enhanced artificial intelligence and our growing capabilities in processing and analysing big data; and the latest developments being made in diagnosing, treating and preventing brain disorders and disease.

An evening panel discussion for Parliamentarians saw the ethics of these new technologies explored; the advantages of a better coordinated research effort in brain science; and the potential role for Australia in shaping the future of this fascinating scientific field.

STA would like to thank the inspiring speakers who took part – Professor Linda Reynolds, Dr Isabell Kiral-Kornek, Associate Professor Adrian Carter, Professor Michael Breakspear, Professor Andre van Schaik, and our Session Chair Dr. Bernadette Fitzgibbon.

Thanks also to the Academy of Science, the Australian Brain Alliance and Questacon for their involvement in this great event – and to those who attended the public forum in Canberra and followed along online.

Parliamentary Friends of Science events are held regularly, sign up to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date!

Share
advocacy australia neuroscience parliament Parliamentary Friends of Science policy politics psychology science technology
Previous StoryEarly childhood program for STEM will be building block for success
Next StoryAustralia and the United States allied on the science front

Related Articles

  • Reef photo taken from above.
    Nominations open for the STA Policy Committee and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
  • A photo of two smiling people, one woman and one man, holding a sign that reads "Thanks, Science"
    Australia must not miss our ChatGPT moment

ABOUT US

Science & Technology Australia (STA) is Australia’s peak body in science and technology. We represent more than 235,000 scientists, engineers and technologists. STA is an influential voice for evidence and expertise in public policy.

Recent news

  • Honouring Indigenous Knowledge, Leadership, and Connection This NAIDOC Week
  • Research and innovation will lift Australia out of the productivity doldrums
  • Congratulations to STA President Sharath Sriram – new Chief Scientist of Western Australia

Our members

  • All Members
  • Agricultural and Food Sciences
  • Aquatic Sciences
  • Biological Sciences
  • Chemical Sciences
  • General Science and Technology
  • Geographical and Geological Sciences
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Medical and Cognitive Sciences
  • Physical Sciences
  • Plant and Ecological Sciences
  • Technological Sciences

Search for news

Most popular

  • R&D investment a sure bet on the future
  • Congratulations to STA President Sharath Sriram – new Chief Scientist of Western Australia
  • Congratulations Labor – now let’s build an Australia powered by Australian ideas
  • Research and innovation will lift Australia out of the productivity doldrums
  • Honouring Indigenous Knowledge, Leadership, and Connection This NAIDOC Week

Sign up to our newsletter

Science and Technology Australia Limited (STA) (ACN 664 679 056 and ABN 71 626 822 845) is a company limited by guarantee. STA was formerly known as Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies Inc and was authorised under section 82 of the Associations Incorporation Act 1991 (ACT) to transfer its registration under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) to its new company structure on 3 January 2023.

STA PRIVACY POLICY

OTHER STA POLICIES

ACNC Registered Charity Logo

Copyright © 2024 Science & Technology Australia. All Rights Reserved