What Science & Technology Australia will provide

• A program brief
• Four meetings with a leading scientist or technologist with ties to your electorate;
• A biography on your STEM Ambassador
• Depending on the applications we receive from your electorate, we will endeavour to match your Ambassador with any specific policy or research interests you have

What are the benefits of having a STEM Ambassador for your electorate?

• Forge direct links with Australian STEM experts who work or live in your electorate
• Access STEM advice and information to inform a range of policy issues
• Deepen your understanding of issues facing Australian science and technology
• Potential media opportunities with STEM professionals (site visits etc.)
• Opportunities to attend research seminars and other special events
• An opportunity to learn about some of Australia’s world class research and facilities
• The opportunity to connect with your Ambassador’s colleagues and peers
• Establish a relationship to the Ambassador’s employer, funder, or collaborators.

Your role as an Ambassador

• Attend five online training sessions
• Organise and attend a minimum of 4 meetings with your Parliamentarian or their
  advisory team
• Discuss briefings on national STEM matters with your Parliamentarian
• Assist your Parliamentarian by doing extra research into ideas or specific topics of interest to your Parliamentarian
• Provide updates to Science & Technology Australia on matters discussed in your meetings

 What we will provide

• Background information on your Parliamentarian
• Professional development training by experts in policy, communications, and advocacy
• Regular briefings on issues facing the STEM sector in Australia
• A contact in the Parliamentarians office to initiate your first meeting
• Support to organise media opportunities with your Parliamentarian (as appropriate)

Selection Process

STEM Ambassadors must be a member of an STA member organisation. Ambassadors are chosen based on the interests of the Parliamentarians who have expressed interest in having a STEM Ambassador in each program intake. Ambassadors must either live or work in the electorate of the participating Parliamentarians and are selected through a competitive application process. Other key factors in selecting ambassadors may include:

• Experience and skill in science presentation to the general public
• Career stage (early to mid-career STEM professionals are preferred)
• Previous attendance of Science meets Parliament is highly regarded

The Program

Online training

STA will provide an induction session and four hour-long training sessions:

1. Program introduction and how to engage with Parliamentarians
2. Building and engaging with a local STEM network
3. Science policy and how decision-making institutions and processes work
4. Media training
5. Maintaining a STEM network

Materials

STEM Ambassadors receive politics and policy updates. Ambassadors will also be provided with the STA Policy Vision and information on their Parliamentarian before they commence their meetings.

Meetings

We recommend Ambassadors aim for four meetings throughout the year with their Parliamentarian. Ideally, meetings will take place at the workplaces of both the Ambassadors and the Parliamentarians.  It is the responsibility of the Ambassador to organise meetings with Parliamentarians and extend invitations to them to other events of interest as they arise.

While the topics of meetings will depend on the Ambassador and Parliamentarian, meetings with specific goals and agendas are typically more successful. With that in mind, meeting topics could include:

1. Introductory meeting (the first meeting)
2. National science policy meeting
3. A site visit to the Ambassador’s work location
4. Group meeting with research/work group
5. A discussion forum with local STEM professionals in the electorate

STA asks Ambassadors to provide a short report to STA after each meeting to assist with program reporting, promotion and evaluation.

Download the STEM Ambassadors Program Statement of Expectations for more information