Science and Innovation leads the way
It’s been another excellent quarter for interaction between Western Australia’s science and technology sector and European counterparts.
Earlier this month the Minister for Science and Innovation John Day launched theSkyNet, an interactive science project giving people in both Western Australia and overseas the opportunity to discover more about the universe. The community science initiative sponsored by the Department of Commerce will allow members of the public to contribute their spare computing power to the processing of radio astronomy data. Curtin University’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graeme Wright, said theSkyNet project has brought several agencies and institutions together in the name of innovation. “Radio astronomy is a clear focal point in Curtin’s commitment to research in ICT and emerging technologies and it’s great to see people from across the University, in collaboration with our partners at the Department of Commerce, The University of Western Australia and ICRAR, bringing this project to life,” he said.
It’s also hoped theSkyNet will help raise awareness of the important Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Project. The SKA project involves more than 70 institutions in 20 countries in the development of the world’s largest radio telescope. Western Australia/Australia and New Zealand are competing with a group of African countries led by the Republic of South Africa to host the SKA. The joint WA/Australian/New Zealand bid for the project was recently finalised and has put forward a very strong case to site the core of the array of the A$2.2 billion in the Murchison in the Western Australia’s mid-west. The enhanced radio-quiet characteristic of this region and its protection in the future means excellent science. The final site decision is due next year.
Meanwhile, Western Australian scientist Professor Carlos Duarte has been awarded the prestigious Prix d’Excellance by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. The Professor is the director of the Oceans Institute at the University of Western Australia. He says he is honoured by the accolade. "This award recognises the research my collaborators and I have conducted and shows that the vision of the UWA Oceans Institute - to provide ocean solutions for humanity's grand challenges - is shared and appreciated by our peers." The Prix d'Excellence is ICES's top award and recognises the highest level of achievement in marine sciences. It is usually presented every three years. Founded in 1902, ICES is a network of more than 1600 scientists from 200 institutes and 20 member countries dedicated to promoting marine research in the North Atlantic and adjacent seas. Professor Duarte has conducted research across Europe, South-East Asia, Cuba, México, USA, Australia, the Amazonia, the Arctic, the Southern Ocean, and the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The stage is set for a collaborative Roundtable on Climate Change, Food Security & Bio Diversity to be held in London on 10 October. Speakers at the event will include University of Western Australia Vice Chancellor Alan Robson AM and Professor Steve Hopper FLS, Director of Kew Gardens. The roundtable aims to produce a report that lists the conclusions made from the roundtable discussions and provides a list of recommendations to expand research outcomes in the areas of food security and biodiversity. The final report will be reviewed by Lyn Beazley AO, Chief Scientist of Western Australia.
Professor Lyn Beazley AO was the guest speaker at an event at the Royal Geographical Society on 26 September. Her talk created much interest and excitement in the bio-diversity in Western Australia and was well evidenced in an exciting and very visual presentation at the event chaired by Michael Palin.
SKA image courtesy of Australia and New Zealand SKA project (anzSKA)
