New ambassadors foster science-based policy making.

Science & Technology Australia (STA) recently announced 17 new science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) Ambassadors.

STA is Australia’s peak body in science and technology, representing more than 80,000 scientists and technologists.

An influential voice for evidence and expertise in public policy, STA paired 17 Senators and members of the House of Representatives with experts from various fields in STEM.

The new cohort of STEM Ambassadors will meet with their partners throughout the year, bringing their science expertise and networks with the aim of creating a long-term, two-way relationship to assist the politicians in evidence-based policymaking.

Diverse backgrounds and interests.

Drawn from STA’s member organisations, the new STEM Ambassadors come from a diverse range of academic backgrounds and interests:

Professor Adam Guastella, a neuroscientist from Sydney University and a member of the Australian Psychological Society. STEM Ambassador to New South Wales Senator Hollie Hughes.
Associate Professor Artem Pulemotov, a mathematician from the University of Queensland and a member of the Australian Mathematical Society. STEM Ambassador to the Member for Oxley, Milton Dick MP.
Dr Celia Harris, a cognitive scientist from Western Sydney University and a member of Women in STEMM Australia. STEM Ambassador to the Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh MP.
Charlotte Birkmanis, a marine biologist and shark researcher from the University of Western Australia and a member of the Australian Marine Science Association. STEM Ambassador to the Member for Brand, Madeleine King MP.
Dr Chelsea Janke, a soil scientist from the University of Queensland and member of Soil Science Australia. STEM Ambassador to the Member for Forde, Bert Van Manen MP.
Associate Professor Danielle Skropeta from the University of Wollongong and a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. STEM Ambassador to the Member for Cunningham, Sharon Bird MP.
Dr Dona Jayakody, an audiology expert from the University of Western Australia and a member of Women in STEMM Australia. STEM Ambassador to WA Senator Rachel Siewert.
Dr Emily Camm, a fetal physiologist from the Hudson Institute of Medical Research and a member of the Australian Physiological Society. STEM Ambassador to Victorian Senator David Van.
Dr Fleur Garton, a motor neurone disease expert from the University of Queensland and a member of the Australasian Genomic Technologies Association. STEM Ambassador to Member for Petrie, Luke Howarth MP.
Professor Lee Baumgartner, an expert in fisheries and river management from Charles Sturt University and a member of the Australian Society for Fish Biology. STEM Ambassador to New South Wales Senator Perin Davey.
Maddie Holly, a technology consultant and a member of Women in STEMM Australia. STEM Ambassador to the Member for Bean, David Smith MP.
Dr Margaret Shanafield, an expert in rivers and water policy from Flinders University and a member of the Australian Freshwater Sciences Society. STEM Ambassador to South Australian Senator Rex Patrick.
Dr Matthew Faria, a Rejane Langlois Research Fellow from the University of Melbourne and a member of the Australian Mathematical Society. STEM Ambassador to the Member for Gorton, Brendan O’Connor MP.
Meg Panozzo, an engineer and creator of Her Bold Universe and a member of Women in STEMM Australia. STEM Ambassador to the Member for Wentworth, Dave Sharma MP.
Professor Michelle Harvey, a blowfly expert from Deakin University and a member of Women in STEMM Australia. STEM Ambassador to the Member of Corio, Richard Marles MP, who’s also the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.
Dr Priya Rani, an academic tutor at RMIT and a member of Women in STEMM Australia. STEM Ambassador to Victorian Senator Janet Rice.
Dr Shannon Algar, an applied mathematician and apiarist from the University of Western Australia and a member of the Australian Mathematical Society. STEM Ambassador to WA Senator Slade Brockman.

Important for the government to make evidence-based decisions.

STEM education, with the problem-solving and critical thinking skills that it can provide, has been an integral part of ensuring the government makes evidence-based decisions to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges. “Science has been Australia’s salvation in tackling COVID-19. Australia needs to continue to build on that strong relationship between the STEM sector and Parliamentarians to prepare Australia to meet future challenges.” said STA CEO Misha Schubert.

Congratulations to the new STEM Ambassadors! We look forward to seeing them foster close relations with their respective MPs and Senators to further drive science and technology to the forefront of policy making.