Tuesday 13 August
Highlights from day 4 of National Science Week
Researchers, experts, and other interesting people available for interview around the country.
NSW: Meet the woman who co-founded space companies on three continents – Sydney
NSW: Find love at the Love Lab – Sydney
National: How do you count koalas? – online (NSW & QLD talent)
QLD: How will quantum reshape Queensland and its future economy?
VIC: Science and community forum on the future of the Otway Ranges – Colac
TAS: Space treasures, meteorites, and a Planetarium show on tour
NT: First Nations science and culture for conservation
Read on for more on these, including direct event contact details.
Also today:
- SA: Food, farming, soil, science and sustainability at Urrbrae Farm, a working farm in a metropolitan Adelaide high school
- WA: Walk and talk with the scientists saving threatened flora at the Conservation Garden, Kings Park and Botanic Gardens
Coming up tomorrow:
Humpback highway; Hedy Lamarr; fake blood; surviving nature; and a 9-metre whale puppet – see a preview of Wednesday’s highlights.
National Science Week 2024 runs from 10 to 18 August.
Visit ScienceWeek.net.au/events to find more stories in your area.
Media centre here. Images for media here.
General Science Week media enquiries: Tanya Ha, tanya@scienceinpublic.com.au or 0404 083 863
Meet the woman who co-founded space companies on three continents – Sydney, NSW
Dr Susmita Mohanty is a spaceship designer, serial entrepreneur and space diplomat. In a conversation with Columbia University Physics and Astronomy Professor Janna Levin, she discusses co-founding India’s first space start-up, Earth2Orbit; the challenges of building sustainable habitats beyond Earth; and innovative technologies driving next-generation space missions.
Dr Mohanty also co-founded MOONFRONT, a boutique space consulting firm in San Francisco; and LIQUIFER, a trans-disciplinary space architechture firm in Vienna. She’s been featured on the cover of Fortune Magazine; named one of BBC’s 100 Women laureates of a female-led future; and voted into the Financial Times’ list of ‘25 Indians to Watch’.
‘Space for Earth – Susmita Mohanty’ is a National Science Week event at University of Technology Sydney which forms part of the Sydney Science Festival, presented by Powerhouse.
Tuesday 13 August: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/space-for-earth-susmita-mohanty/ultimo/
Media enquiries: Michelle Lollo, media@powerhouse.com.au or 0419 523 735
Find love at the Love Lab – Sydney, NSW
Move over, CupidGTP! Exit swipe right and join ‘The Love Lab’ – a scientific experiment that marries the ancient art of village matchmaking with speed dating, without skirting the tough questions on what really matters.
Like, sex, climate change, or wearing shoes inside the house.
“We’re not saying there’s a right answer but there is probably a scientifically correct answer,” say Love Lab copilots, aka Dr Naomi Koh Belic (she/her – a biracial, bisexual first-generation university graduate with a PhD in stem cell biology) and Shu Ezackial (they/them – a queer, mixed-race science communicator and engagement specialist).
The Love Lab is an inclusive, sex-positive experiment aimed at making science accessible, while helping people form meaningful connections.
Tuesday 13 August: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/the-love-lab/sydney
Dr Naomi and Shu are both available for interviews. Photographs: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kLW6bEDHglVh3pPUhc7sXr-T4jvBpzq_?usp=sharing
How do you count koalas? – online
We don’t know how many koalas are left. Koalas are notoriously shy and hard to spot. So how do scientists find and count them to map their populations and protect them?
Answer: they use drone-mounted thermal cameras, detection dogs, visual surveys, volunteer citizen scientists, apps, and more.
Meet the scientists from the CSIRO-led National Koala Monitoring Program:
- quantitative biologist Dr Andrew Hoskins
- spatial ecologist Dr Samantha Munroe, who maps the distribution of different species
- conservation ecologist Dr Romane Cristescu, who develops methods to monitor koala movement.
They will present a webinar to share their koala science and show people how to get involved in the Great Koala Count.
Tuesday 13 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/the-great-koala-count/
Media enquiries: Amy Edwards, amy.edwards@csiro.au or 02 4960 6169
CSIRO Program lead Dr Andrew Hoskins and collaborators are available for interviews.
Beautiful koala images and b-roll available, including close-up footage of koalas in the wild, a koala release at Redland Coast near Brisbane, kids using the CSIRO koala spotter app, and the detection dogs at work.
How will quantum reshape Queensland? – Fortitude Valley, QLD
Quantum technologies could reshape our industries. But how much do we really know about it? And are we truly ‘quantum ready’?
Researchers, industry professionals, investors, and government representatives will get together for a one-day symposium to explore the opportunities in Queensland's growing technology scene.
Hosted by the Queensland Government, in partnership with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems.
Tuesday 13 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/qx-queensland-advanced-technologies-future/fortitude-valley
Media enquiries: Kim Wood, kim.wood@des.qld.gov.au
What should be the future of the Otway Ranges? – Colac, VIC
The Otway Ranges is home to fern gullies, giant beech trees, towering Californian Redwoods, and many of Australia’s favourite animals including kangaroos, echidnas, platypus, koalas, birds, and even glow worms. Scientists want more people to have a voice in securing the future of this natural treasure.
People from all walks of life can come to a free public forum and be part of efforts to conserve and protect the rich natural environment of the Otways and beyond. The Otways Ecological Research Forum brings together scientific researchers, public and private land managers, and the general public to discuss findings, innovations, and challenges in ecology, conservation science, and landscape-scale management.
Tuesday 13 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/2024-otways-ecological-research-forum-ecology-the-collaborative-science-we-must-get-right/colac
Media enquiries: Andrea de Kauwe, andrea@cosnervationecologycentre.org or 03 5237 9297.
Lizzie Corke (CEO and Founder of the Conservation Ecology Centre) together with Dr Jack Pascoe, Dr Claire Fenuik and other researchers are available for interviews.
Images are available of the Otway Ranges, its wildlife, and conservation researchers at work.
Space treasures on tour – Multiple locations, West Coast and North West Tasmania
Touch a meteorite, aka fallen space rock, and discover the wonders of our night sky using a high-powered telscope.
‘West Coast Space Show’ is hitting the road with a team of scientists, space artefacts and a Planetarium show in tow.
The all-ages tour is the brainchild of science communicators, Mars and Paris Buttfield-Addison, who are working hard to establish a permanent space-focused science outreach venue on the west coast of Tasmania.
Tuesday 13 August to Tuesday 20 August - Multiple locations: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/west-coast-space-show-queenstown-2/strahan/
Media enquiries: Paris Buttfield-Addison, hello@westcoastspacecentre.com or 0405 976 956
First Nations science and culture for conservation – Mamadawerre, NT
Explore the importance and practice of biodiversity and conservation through Traditional Knowledge.
Nature's Custodians: Science and Culture for Conservation is a two-day workshop for students and community members of the Nawarddeken Academy, bicultural, community-driven independent school located in three First Nations homelands within the Warddeken Indigenous Protected Area in West Arnhem Land.
The workshop emphasises the importance of biodiversity and the interplay of scientific and traditional Indigenous knowledge in conservation efforts. Workshops will be held the remote communities of Mamadawerre and Manmoyi.
It’s a unique opportunity to learn from guest speakers from Warddeken Land Management, ecology specialists, Bininj and Daluk rangers.
People will explore thematic stations delving into ecosystem interdependencies, genetics, and technological innovations in conservation. They will learn all about human impacts on ecosystems. There will be DNA extraction activities, and opportunities to use drones to monitor wildlife habitats.
They will build native animal habitats, plant native flora and a plant a bush garden with support from Bininj rangers, will develop and present conservation-focused projects aligned to Warddeken Land Management’s Plan of Management, and learn about citizen science opportunities. The projects will culminate in a commitment ceremony, reinforcing the community's dedication to biodiversity preservation.
Monday 12 - Friday 16 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/natures-custodians-science-and-culture-for-conservation/mamadawerre/
Media enquiries: Kiri Marschall, Kiri@culturetech.com.au or 0437 794 649
About National Science Week
National Science Week is Australia’s annual opportunity to meet scientists, discuss hot topics, do science and celebrate its cultural and economic impact on society – from art to astrophysics, chemistry to climate change, and forensics to future food.
First held in 1997, National Science Week has become one of Australia’s largest festivals. Last year about 2.7 million people participated in more than 1,860 events and activities.
The festival is proudly supported by the Australian Government, CSIRO, the Australian Science Teachers Association, and the ABC.
In 2024 it runs from Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 August. Event details can be found at www.scienceweek.net.au.